I've owned 3 Harleys and it seems they all operate roughly the same way when it comes time to shift, i.e. 2nd gear shift around 20mph, once you hit 30-35 shift to 3rd., 40-45 shift to 4th. etc. However, it seems when your going 20mph in 2nd. gear, 30mph in 3rd., 40mph in 4th. etc. just cruising around, not accellerating it certainly feels (I don't have a tach) that you are in the lower range of the RPM's, but I wouldn't say it is lugging the engine. Is this a correct assumption??

 

I always try to keep the rpms above 2000 in any gear.

 

If you take a look at your engine's Torque-HP/RPM curves you'll see the left most point where it peaks or levels out. When you're accelerating you should be at an RPM that puts you to the right of that point on the curve. If you're not, you're lugging the engine, identified by pre-ignition/pinging and lack of roll-on power. Cruising or decelerating it doesn't matter so much unless you're going to need the roll-on. In short you grab some throttle and chuga, chuga, chuga dammit I need to downshift.

Lugging: Having to the the back seater along for the ride when you just want to get away for awhile.

 

The speeds you list are all at 2000 rpm. I downshift to the next lower gear to accelerate at a brisk rate, or not if I accelerate gently. The torque begins somewhere about 2500 rpm and builds steadily to about 4500 rpm. Lugging to me is when the bike won't accelerate when you twist the throttle hard.

It is so easy to downshift, why tempt engine damage by not doing it?

 

If you give it gas & it seems to not get going, it's lugging the engine. As far as just cruising, going to the lower rpms is fine, just remember to down shift if you need to get the bike going faster. There is a happy spot where the engine doesn't need the throttle opened to keep it going @ the same speed, but if you hit a hill @ it slows down, it may be a good time to down shift. Good luck

Toby

 

I don't have a tach, so I don't know when it's at 2000 rpm, I always go by feel. I have been in situations where I've been in a lower gear and couldn't accellerate and quickly downshifted to get going. Just wanted to be sure I was on the same page as everyone else. Thanks guys

 

I have a tach, and I can tell you that I can feel it lugging anywhere below 2300 RPM. It seems happies at 2500 or above. I typically shift into 2nd around 20, 3rd at 35, 4th at 45. I only use 6th for sustained riding above 65. I ride a 103" and I don't know if the 96 would be different.

 

I try to kept my rpm’s around 2700 – 3000 to me it seems like my bike runs best at that rpm’s. I rarely use 6th gear

 

Whenever it is in too high a gear to accelerate by turning the throttle you are at a lug point. The newer big twins have taller gearing that requires higher rpms to keep them out of the lug zone than the old chuggers did. I think it is 2007 where they put the 33 and 46 tooth primary ratios. That is the taller part.