Quick but curious question.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 280
From: North Cental Iowa
I've got 3.37 primary gearing so the RPMs would be different since the 03 has 3.15 gearing. Check out the comparators on Big Boyz site & you can figure it all out, the swap is a straight bolt on you just need an 07 belt & pulley. With just the rear pulley change you'd be at 2.97, add a 33 tooth front & it's 2.88, compare that to an 09 6spd at 2.875. I'd recommend just the rear as that leaves your first gear about the same as an 09 1st gear & it would drop RPMs down about 200 at 3500. With your big power you can run about any gearing you want, I've got a 103 with about 120 tq & it's great. Depending on what 160 you run, I run a 160/80-16 E3 which is about a 1/2" taller & worth about another 50 RPM drop, the widest you can go without doing more mods is about 6.25". You'll also need a recalibration unit to keep your speedo right, I didn't have any luck with the Thunder Heart sensor so I'd suggest a Dakota Digital.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
Sweet spot yes, but for cruising at 75mph that would drive me nuts, and waste gas.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,980
Likes: 6,107
From: Florida
I've got both, my '07 King is geared so high that I can ride around town in 2nd or 3rd all day. 6th is great for the highway;much better than 5th, but pretty much what everyone said here is correct. 5 will do you just fine.
Only problem I have with the 6-speed is remembering what gear I am in;with the 5 speed it's easier to tell what gear you're in if you forget.
Only problem I have with the 6-speed is remembering what gear I am in;with the 5 speed it's easier to tell what gear you're in if you forget.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 885
Likes: 14
From: SoCal
I've got 3.37 primary gearing so the RPMs would be different since the 03 has 3.15 gearing. Check out the comparators on Big Boyz site & you can figure it all out, the swap is a straight bolt on you just need an 07 belt & pulley. With just the rear pulley change you'd be at 2.97, add a 33 tooth front & it's 2.88, compare that to an 09 6spd at 2.875. I'd recommend just the rear as that leaves your first gear about the same as an 09 1st gear & it would drop RPMs down about 200 at 3500. With your big power you can run about any gearing you want, I've got a 103 with about 120 tq & it's great. Depending on what 160 you run, I run a 160/80-16 E3 which is about a 1/2" taller & worth about another 50 RPM drop, the widest you can go without doing more mods is about 6.25". You'll also need a recalibration unit to keep your speedo right, I didn't have any luck with the Thunder Heart sensor so I'd suggest a Dakota Digital.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 1
From: Allen, Texas
I've got an 06 SG and a bud has an 08 SG. At 75 in 5th mine is running about 200 rpm higher than his in 6th 3000 rpm/3200 rpm. Really not that much difference. I have an 07 Superglide with the 6 and it is nice but a 5 is not a deal killer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
The '02 is a better bike than the newer ones with six speeds. I live in the west where we ride at 80 mph a lot. I have a S.E. six speed in my '02. I have a Cruise Drive six speed in my '07. If you don't do a lot of high speed riding you'll never miss the higher gear. That '02 Twin Cam has a much better low end than the new bikes and is, in a lot of guys opinion, the best bagger Harley ever built.
Just make sure the cam drive is upgraded from the original spring loaded type and it will run a long long time.
Just make sure the cam drive is upgraded from the original spring loaded type and it will run a long long time.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
This is getting as bad as those that think the last air-cooled Porsche is somehow better than the 996, the 997 and 991. What a joke.
I had an '02, great bike but my '11 is superior in many ways and overall.
I had an '02, great bike but my '11 is superior in many ways and overall.
Last edited by Deuuuce; Jan 25, 2012 at 09:44 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 5
i have had a 09 and now i have a 2011 there is a differance in gear ratios from 09 to 2011 i can cruise at 60 with my 11 in 6th gear no problem.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 280
From: North Cental Iowa
Hate to tell you this, but the ratios are the same from 09-12, might just be that the 11 is a 103 with a little more TQ. Final drive ratio for 07-08 is 2.79, for 09-12 it's 2.875.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 755
Likes: 5
From: Tallahassee, FL/Blue Ridge, GA
I've got an 01 Ultra with 3.37 gearing and only 5 speeds. I'm very happy with it overall, but there are times when I do wish I had another gear. When I travel up to the mountains, I hit the interstate in Columbus, GA, and spend the next 2-3 hours driving in and around ATL wishing I could drop the RPMs while still keeping my speed. My last ride around I-285, I was very happy running 85-90 and it kept me out of traffic, but I was concerned about running just under 4k RPMs for so long.
Other than that little bit of superslab stuff, I'm perfectly happy with what I've got.
Other than that little bit of superslab stuff, I'm perfectly happy with what I've got.
