"lugging"
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
if you have no idea....shift with speed...leave 1st by 20, leave 2nd by 30, leave 3rd by 40, etc.
lugging is about not down shifting an a manner that results your rpm to drop to the point the engine becomes unstable and your putting stress on your bearings and crank.
lugging is about not down shifting an a manner that results your rpm to drop to the point the engine becomes unstable and your putting stress on your bearings and crank.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
I would have never considered a green Harley as my first two were black but once I saw it in the showroom I had to go green.
According to my 2011 manual the 6th gear drive ratio is 2.875, is that different than your 2008?
I just found the upshifting gear speeds in my manual and it says fifth to sixth at 55mph or 85 kph, that seems awful low to me.
According to my 2011 manual the 6th gear drive ratio is 2.875, is that different than your 2008?
I just found the upshifting gear speeds in my manual and it says fifth to sixth at 55mph or 85 kph, that seems awful low to me.
Tthe 2008 is 2.790 in sixth.
The purpose of a transmission is to match the road speed with the engine speed. Check any torque table, and ride accordingly. The Twin Cam engines make maximum torque at 3500 rpm.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
X2, good advice.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Atlantic Canada
I would have never considered a green Harley as my first two were black but once I saw it in the showroom I had to go green.
According to my 2011 manual the 6th gear drive ratio is 2.875, is that different than your 2008?
I just found the upshifting gear speeds in my manual and it says fifth to sixth at 55mph or 85 kph, that seems awful low to me.
According to my 2011 manual the 6th gear drive ratio is 2.875, is that different than your 2008?
I just found the upshifting gear speeds in my manual and it says fifth to sixth at 55mph or 85 kph, that seems awful low to me.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I understand "lugging" to be like several have described here, which is when the engine struggles to accelerate by shaking or jerking. I go by feel and usually keep my bike above 2k RPM in 1st thru 5th gears, and 2100 or so in 6th. My old Evo RK could run all day in 5th gear at 1800 rpm without any hint of lugging.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Atlantic Canada
I understand "lugging" to be like several have described here, which is when the engine struggles to accelerate by shaking or jerking. I go by feel and usually keep my bike above 2k RPM in 1st thru 5th gears, and 2100 or so in 6th. My old Evo RK could run all day in 5th gear at 1800 rpm without any hint of lugging.
Anyway I`ve been told 2100 rpm is too low and my broken piston were kind of carboned up over by the fracture so I`m wondering if lugging led to carboning up which led to hot spots which led to.....looking for SE255 cams to go with my 103 big bore since mechanics were elbow deep in my engine anyway replacing one 96 ci piston and cylinder!
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Northern Alabama
Throwing in my two cents worth here, but at any speed I never let the rpm drop to the point that I can not get out of a bad spot by just twisting the throttle. If I see something that I need to avoid in a hurry I do not want to be in the position that I will need to waste any amount of time by needing to downshift before I can speed out of the way.....
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 11
From: Southern Nevada (Pahrump)
General rule of thumb for me is to cruise around 2000+ for rpms. I have never had any pinging riding like this personally but it sounds like it is a problem for some. (pinging) I guess maybe I too will increase my use of 5th gear or perhaps cruise at higher speeds....