Rpm
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
Well, I guess I qualify as an old man. 
Then again, 70 mph in 6th gear works out to about 2650 on my Ultra. I seriously doubt I'm the only one.
Generally true but not an absolute. 2300 rpms in 6th is around 60 mph and the engine handles that just fine as long as the rider isn't trying to set any new land speed records. 
That depends entirely on how hard you roll on the throttle. I've been down at or slightly under 2300 rpm in 6th gear on any number of occasions and accelerated from that point without downshifting and without any undue protest from the engine. No laboring, jerking or stumbling noticed. I was being easy on the throttle of course. If I wanted more, I'd downshift but as noted above, it isn't absolutely necessary. You just have to be reasonable about what you're asking the engine to do under a given set of circumstances.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Then again, 70 mph in 6th gear works out to about 2650 on my Ultra. I seriously doubt I'm the only one.Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: The Peach State!
I usually shift around 3 k and cruise around 25 to 32 k. When needed (or wanted) I shift above 5 k. I was told by my tuner that the 96 engines should be kept above 2 k before you gas on it or you risk a bent crank as is evident on the crank runout on many 96 engines. I have an 88 but thoght that info might help those with the 96.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: Duluth GA
Guess we need to start a new thread defining "Old Men". I don't run in 6th gear under 63-65 mph, because it feels like the engine is straining a bit. Running down the highway, 3000 rpm in 6th gear is around 78 mph. That's where I set my cruise control...
Otherwise, I shift a lot more by feel than by looking at my tach or speedometer. You can just FEEL when it's right.
Otherwise, I shift a lot more by feel than by looking at my tach or speedometer. You can just FEEL when it's right.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Hit the rev limiter quite a few times today
Hope i didn't hurt the engine. Pulled over on I-95 this afternoon with a bad stinging near my weener, deer tick chewing on my bag couldn't get him off i'm getting my rev-xtend turned on after this show. This won't effect my warranty will it?
make is sound like a HD and ride it like a HD..
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: United States of America
Tonnage matters
I couldn't resist the opportunity for humor.
Shift points and lugging the engine partially depend on tonnage and how much weight you are hauling. My wife and I weigh 295 max fully dressed with helmets and riding gear (my 185 + her 110). I'll bump it up to 300 to allow for a big meal.
My neighbor and close friend who I ride with weighs easily 280 solo in gear. Shift points are very similar for him solo vs. my wife and I two up.
Weight matters when trying to determine shift points, acceleration, etc.
Not scientific, but it plays out easily when he and I ride together solo (both bikes stage 1, both 96", both Rineharts). I pull away easily without much effort in steady gear acceleration, as tq/hp has to move weight.
Considering we both ride Street Glides which weigh 830 or so fully fueled--body weight difference of almost 100 lbs represents a significant percentage of mass on a motorcycle.
My guess is that that plays a role.
Sorry for taking the geek approach in looking at this, but weight has to be looked at for an apples to apples comparison.
Shift points and lugging the engine partially depend on tonnage and how much weight you are hauling. My wife and I weigh 295 max fully dressed with helmets and riding gear (my 185 + her 110). I'll bump it up to 300 to allow for a big meal.
My neighbor and close friend who I ride with weighs easily 280 solo in gear. Shift points are very similar for him solo vs. my wife and I two up.
Weight matters when trying to determine shift points, acceleration, etc.
Not scientific, but it plays out easily when he and I ride together solo (both bikes stage 1, both 96", both Rineharts). I pull away easily without much effort in steady gear acceleration, as tq/hp has to move weight.
Considering we both ride Street Glides which weigh 830 or so fully fueled--body weight difference of almost 100 lbs represents a significant percentage of mass on a motorcycle.
My guess is that that plays a role.
Sorry for taking the geek approach in looking at this, but weight has to be looked at for an apples to apples comparison.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 182
Likes: 2
From: United States of America
Correction, weight plays a signficant difference in acceleration, but not so much in keeping mass already moving continuing forward.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
so I have no idea what i am doing 