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My '08 Ultra bone stock will hit 90 mph on the speedometer if you have enough highway to get it wound up there. It wasn't built for speed. You want speed, my Suzuki Hayabusa will knock your socks off.
Guess i'm getting old.... cruisin' at 70 is fine with me, 6th gear is about 2500rpm. Now for power and hills, 5th gear is the choice. I run 5th up until about 65mph, then go up to 6th if there aren't many hills.
I've also found the powerband and fuel mileage is best at 2500rpm.
Sounds like a whole bunch of guys are down on the 6 speed. I think its one of the best improvments H D made. I've hit 100 in 6th on the flat. Don't use it much in the mountains, so I can't say about that. I like to cruse 75 to 80 in 6th at 2700 to 3000 rpm and still enough to pass. But damn, I like the radio too, go figure!
Definitely not down on 6 speed. I use 6th quite a lot on the highway, it's smooth and great for saving gas. Just don't attempt to accelerate in it.
I have no trouble with my 6-speed even riding 2-up, but I generally don't go into 6th until I'm over 75. Mine will pull 100 easy when passing, don't have a desire to go a whole lot faster than that. If I'm on an notable grade I go down to 5th for power, but mine will still pull minor hills in 6th, its not "throw you back in your seat" type of acceleration, but I wouldn't expect it from basically an overdrive gear.
If you are not going 70+ before using 6th, it will cost you about 3-4 mpg. That is what I discovered on my 4200 mile trip this summer.
Zapps
2008 Ultra
I cant tell you too much about riding two up at high speeds....I just dont do it....I cruise at about 75MPH and may hit 85 or so for passing. As for riding solo, I usually dont shift to 6th until I am at 80 MPH or there abouts. The Streetglide with SE Heavy Breather/Rinehart TD's and SE Pro Race Tuner loves 100MPH in 6th gear. If I need a bit more control for passing or eliminating some traffic, I just down-shift into 5th, and then when things start to look open again....I just pop it back into 6th. I love the 6 speed. It beats the heck out of trying to up-shift from 5th when there are no more gears....like on my Deuce.
I have no trouble with my 6-speed even riding 2-up, but I generally don't go into 6th until I'm over 75. Mine will pull 100 easy when passing, don't have a desire to go a whole lot faster than that. If I'm on an notable grade I go down to 5th for power, but mine will still pull minor hills in 6th, its not "throw you back in your seat" type of acceleration, but I wouldn't expect it from basically an overdrive gear.
just had my 08 ultra up to 105 friday you may have something else going on. I was on a trip to Fla and ran 80-85 for about 100 miles 2up and loaded with gear. gas milage goes down but it held that no problem and had power to pass when needed. I have Bub 7's VH TD head pipes a Arlen Ness big sucker air cleaner and a PCIII
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