When to Downshift?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,520
Likes: 270
From: Wellsboro, PA
When to Downshift?
1st Harley here --- 09 EG Classic. A buddy of mine told me that he knew a guy who was glad that he bought the extended warranty for his Ultra. He said that this guy had bigtime trouble with his engine because he liked the sound of it under 2000 RPMs. Do you downshift when you get under 2000? Doesn't sound like it's luggin', but I've been doin' it because I can't forget about what this guy said. Cruisin' through a town in 3rd at 1500 OK for it, in the long run, or not?
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: milltown, nj
Lugging any motor is not good for it.... I have not heard anyone that had had an issues that is directly related with lugging a HD lately....
Its common sense... It's not good to go 20mph in 4th gear all day long in your car right...
Its common sense... It's not good to go 20mph in 4th gear all day long in your car right...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 18
From: Upstate SC
I don't ride under 2000 RPM. Normally stay in the 2500 - 3500 range. More power and it does not lug the engine. Lugging the engine is not good.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
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From: Daytona, Fla.
1500 rpm in town is fine, IF you don't try to increase your speed, AT ALL! Idling at 1000 rpm doesn't hurt the motor, but you wouldn't want to climb a hill like that. If you're on level ground, or riding down hill you can ride a real low rpm, but any increase in speed or throttle should be done after down shifting.
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I'm still workin' on tryin' to get into third gear. First and Second are a lot of fun, and I'm comfortable with those speeds. Anything faster than that, and I should've just bought a crotch rocket. I don't need to go fast to be cool. Once I work myself up to get into third gear, that's probably as fast as I'll ever need to go. I would probably only use it as an "overdrive" anyway. I like the sound of higher RPM's. It sounds like you're goin' faster. I shift from second back down to first at about 3,700-3,800. When I stop, I like to give it a little gas while the clutch is in or I'm in neutral. It makes it seem like I'm goin' fast, even when I'm sittin' still. It's all about appearance. People are always lookin' at me, wonderin' why I'm goin' so fast. They don't even realize that I'm not. The joke's on them.