"lugging"
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Atlantic Canada
Perhaps someone above says THEY keep it to 3000 rpm, but the vast majority are saying 2500 rpm is fine.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 610
Likes: 82
From: Indiana
Well according to the mechanic, shifting to 6th at 60 mph is what killed my engine, though that`s what the manual says. Too bad though as that was an easy to remember rule of thumb. Most on here are saying shift to 6th at 70 mph (implying shifting to 5th at 60 mph etc.). So maybe it should be more like:
40+ shift to 3rd
50+ shift to 4th
60+ shift to 5th
70+ shift to 6th
40+ shift to 3rd
50+ shift to 4th
60+ shift to 5th
70+ shift to 6th
The shift pattern I listed keeps me above 2300 at all times, and generally closer to 2500.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Atlantic Canada
However given everyone`s experience here and what makes these engines happpy in the real world, it seems odd Harley wouldn`t know this too and make those recommendations in their manual. If we find that they get better mileage in 5th, run/feel better, sound better and are lugging too much below 2500 rpm......why would they ever recommend 6th at 55 mph or 60 mph? They ride these bikes too and should be the experts. Especially if as you and others say, 2200 or 2150 rpm (rpms when in 6th at 100 kph) is lugging, which to me implies it`s damaging to the engine. They deny it`s damaging to the crankshaft at least, or primary drive case/bearing though I forget if asked them that but they implied it`s hard on nothing and is why they recommend it, but owners consider it lugging (damaging) to the engine. Unless by `lugging` owners just feel it doesn`t run well but is not damaging.
Last edited by LastHalf; Jun 24, 2012 at 08:42 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Atlantic Canada
That shift pattern of shifting to 6th at 60 mph though gives 2150-2200 rpm for me (not closer to 2500 rpm than 2300 rpm so say 2400 rpm).....but I heard 09`s and later have different ratios including for 6th which is now lower to cruise more comfortably - i.e. not lugging or damaging anything - at 60 mph. So maybe the 09 and later bikes rev about 3000 rpm higher in 6th than mine does. They must have changed ratios for a reason and I think that`s it. It may be proof right there that they knew there was a problem with the pre-09 ratios. Maybe that`s what Harley Canada`s tech meant when he said 6th at 100 kph won`t hurt the crank etc....he was talking 09 and up. Though I was pretty sure I said I had an 08 unless it didn`t sink in to her head or she forgot to pass it on to the tech(s).
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Atlantic Canada
It just seems a bit contrary to the stereotype about big torquey (even air cooled) v-twins. I thought their strength and therefore the riding style would encourage low revs. To a point I suppose and 2500 rpm IS relatively low. Anyway yes that`s what I`m doing now (2500 rpm vs 2200 rpm before my huge engine failure).
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I find with the 6 speed (at least on my Ultra), the engine feedback is much more subtle and I have to pay a bit more attention to the tach. or I will find myself overgeared. On my TC88 with the 5 speed (Dyna) I can feel the engine constantly and never even look at my tach anymore. Having said that, I don't use 6th under 70 mph and I ALWAYS downshift before rolling on the throttle in 6th regardless of my speed. I just don't think 6th is for anything but steady cruising above 70 mph.
Ive got my timing retarded -1 beginning at 2250rpm to asist with previous pinging issues but from the rpm to mph numbers everyone is stating, It sounds like I need to reconfigure my timing adjustment
ranges.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Its common courtesy and consideration of other people. Sadly common courtesy is going by the way of the dinosour and is a personal choice. Course if people would teach their proginy to be considerate that would be nice, and that too is woefully lacking.....sign of the times.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
That shift pattern of shifting to 6th at 60 mph though gives 2150-2200 rpm for me (not closer to 2500 rpm than 2300 rpm so say 2400 rpm).....but I heard 09`s and later have different ratios including for 6th which is now lower to cruise more comfortably - i.e. not lugging or damaging anything - at 60 mph. So maybe the 09 and later bikes rev about 3000 rpm higher in 6th than mine does. They must have changed ratios for a reason and I think that`s it. It may be proof right there that they knew there was a problem with the pre-09 ratios. Maybe that`s what Harley Canada`s tech meant when he said 6th at 100 kph won`t hurt the crank etc....he was talking 09 and up. Though I was pretty sure I said I had an 08 unless it didn`t sink in to her head or she forgot to pass it on to the tech(s).
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From: On a Lake in the woods
Shift between 25 and 3. Cost along between 2 and 25