What Speed Do You Shift At?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 241
From: Highlands, NJ
What Speed Do You Shift At?
I"m breaking in my 2011 Road King and I've always shifted by ear. Been driving manual transmissions for 38yrs. I know the manual says
1st up to 15
2nd 15 to 25
3rd 25 to 35 etc etc
I found that my RK seems to like
1st 15-20
2nd 20-30
3rd 30-40 etc etc
If I shift at HD's recommended speeds, the bike feels sluggish.
BTW I love the don't exceed 3000RPM warning........Where's the Tach?
1st up to 15
2nd 15 to 25
3rd 25 to 35 etc etc
I found that my RK seems to like
1st 15-20
2nd 20-30
3rd 30-40 etc etc
If I shift at HD's recommended speeds, the bike feels sluggish.
BTW I love the don't exceed 3000RPM warning........Where's the Tach?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 25
From: se michigan
sounds like you're doing it right, better to run it a little over 3000rpm than to lug a new engine. Just give it time to warm up before riding it and don't run it the same rpm all the time. you'll be fine.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Manual is written by lawyers use the method works best for you. You don't have tach but you can feel the lugging and don't let it lug .I have a tach but I don't look at it when I shift just feel it, for me
1st up to 25
2nd up to 35
3rd up to 45
4th up to 60
5th up to 70
6th after 70 +
1st up to 25
2nd up to 35
3rd up to 45
4th up to 60
5th up to 70
6th after 70 +
Last edited by Punjabi Rider; Oct 14, 2010 at 07:17 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
5speed and six speeds have about the same gearing 1st through third.
I shift to second gear and all other gears about 2400 RPM (give or take a hundred).
I know what gear I am in by the tachometer......55 MPH is right around 5300RPM in 5th.
In third, I am at 30 MPH at 3000 RPM. 20 MPH @ 2000 RPM.
I go by feel mostly....and at 6000 RPM, I am always looking for another gear.
I shift to second gear and all other gears about 2400 RPM (give or take a hundred).
I know what gear I am in by the tachometer......55 MPH is right around 5300RPM in 5th.
In third, I am at 30 MPH at 3000 RPM. 20 MPH @ 2000 RPM.
I go by feel mostly....and at 6000 RPM, I am always looking for another gear.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,259
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From: NW NC
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 1
Ya, I shift when she sounds like she needs to be shifted. As said before, don't bog that new engine, let it warm up too. That bike will stay happy shifting around 3000-3500, whatever speed that is. By the way Fcal124, you can't end a sentence with a preposition (at), he he he... I'm just kidding, but no, really.
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Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
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From: Here
You have the 2011 with the 103 engine. I have a 2010 with the 96 engine. Same tranny and really not much difference in the engine's. I've been riding Harley's probably as long as most on this forum. I don't need a tach to shift gears. I listen to my engine. The book was written by the MoCo that built these great harley's we ride. The book is pretty close with the suggested gear changes. sounds as if you are already picking up your engine sounds and responses. If you roll on the throttle and don't feel a quick response, shift down a gear! The speed I change gears depends on where I'm at and the terrain. I can tell you one thing for sure. With the 09 and up 6 spd tranny's, you do not need to be 70 MPH before using 6th gear. I ride solo. If I'm on level roads, I'm in 6 gear at 60 MPH.
Take care of your bike and it will give you years of great riding. Ride Safe!!
Take care of your bike and it will give you years of great riding. Ride Safe!!
