I've got an 01 5 speed and sure wish I had another gear when on the interstate. But I wouldn't let that one aspect keep me from buying a bike I otherwise liked.

 

I've ridden several 6 speeds and they're nice, but I would have no trouble buying a 5 speed bike. The only time I've desired an extra gear is when I want to cruise at 80+ on the freeway laying down some miles. Hardly ever ride the freeway for long periods - those superslabs are just plain boring.
Otherwise the 5 speed delivers the same mileage and, depending on the year, better performance ratios than a 6 speed. My '06 SG (5 speed) cruises comfortably at 75 mph turning about 3000-3100 rpm's. Converting to a 6 speed would reduce cruising rpm's by 200-300 - not enough to get me to lay down the big bucks.
Now my '95 EGC is a machine that could really benefit from a 6'er. At 75 that baby's turning 3500-3600 rpm's, which is only 1200 rpm's away from redline.

 

I always looked for a 6th gear on my '02 Deuce but my foot never found it. Thousands, millions have done without 6th. If you can afford a newer bike, get it.

 

No way. I'd save the money and buy a Baker 6 speed, a set of custom wheels and some other farkles.

 

That's what I was gonna say - based on the fact you're looking at the '02 RK (which is the BEST year motor-wise), aren't you working within a certain budget and the 6 speed comes with many other overall changes and is really a totally different scooter?

 

If the 6 speed is all that, How come there are so many threads dedicated to changing the compensator or clutch basket sprocket in an effort to correct the undesireable tall gearing, that makes it soft on the low end? Just curious also. Gearing needs to be tuned just like anything else, if it doesn't match your engine's power output or your riding style, then it don't matter how many gears you have. If you don't do a lot of time on the super slab then get the 5 speed and just deal with the high RPMs when you are on the highway. If you do spend alot of time on the slab then get the 6 speed and deal with soft low end when you are in town.

 

Hmm, I don't feel like I have a soft low end and I can hit 6th gear at 55 to 60 and accelerate just fine. Maybe it's the 103, I don't know. I would definitely rather have the 6th gear and not need it than have a 5 speed and want it. But if your on a budget and that budget puts you in a 5 speed then so be it. Seems everyone likes what they have and it's the best but for me the 6 speed coupled with the new 103 motors is an awesome match.

 

My budget is $13,500 which is what I have cash after selling both my sport bikes. With that money I figured I'd buy that 2002 for $8,000 which will leave me with about $5,250 to perform modifications after fuel for going after this bike and purchasing it.

I don't do much highway riding, if I do it'll be an hour ride to Atlanta (70 mph speed limit) or 3 hours to Panama City which has an average speed limit of 55-65 mph. Anything over that I'll trailer.

 

Get the 5spd, the 02s are great bikes & very upgradeable. If the gearing doesn't suit you there are several ways to change it. You can look around for a used belt & pulley from an 07 that somebody changed out because of the too high gearing. I've got a FI 2000 that had the 3.37 primary gearing, not sure what year the FI bikes went to the 3.15 gearing that the carbed bikes had, I went with the 66 tooth 07 pulley & 1" belt & switched to a 33 tooth trans pulley. My overall gearing is now 3.08, dropped RPMs 10% & it's great, 1st gear is lower than the current 6spds & in 5th I run about 200 RPMs higher than the 6spds. Of course I ran the stock setup for about 60K without any problems also, the 1" belt also allows you to run up to a 160 tire. The biggest reason MOCO switched to the 6spd was because everyone else was. Save your money & spend it on engine upgrades or search around for a great deal on an 09, that's what I plan to do.

 

Get the 02!! DTTJGlide, what are your RPM's like at 70-75 mph? I like what you are saying about the gearing and the idea of running a 160 on the rear. Any info you can give is appreciated!!