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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 11:48 AM
  #1  
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Default Six speed

I have an 04 EG with the 5 speed and on the freeway I like to cruise around 70mph. I see RPM's anywhere from 2900-3100 at 70mph depending on wind and hills and so on.

My question is--- I am looking at a new frame bike (09-up) which will come with a six speed and was wondering what will 70mph give me for an RPM? Just curious..
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Challenger
I have an 04 EG with the 5 speed and on the freeway I like to cruise around 70mph. I see RPM's anywhere from 2900-3100 at 70mph depending on wind and hills and so on.

My question is--- I am looking at a new frame bike (09-up) which will come with a six speed and was wondering what will 70mph give me for an RPM? Just curious..
It should be around 2400-2600 rpm depending on the ratio .
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 12:04 PM
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1.) if your rpms are different at 70 mph, you have clutch slipping or other problems
It's math, the turning of the motor ( rpm) is reduced by set values ( gears) to a set road speed ( mph).


2.) 70 mph= 2700 rpms

andrews cams has a handy chart for rpm/mph various models:

http://www.andrewsproducts.com/PDF_f...osMPG-pg28.pdf


2700 rpms ( for the 96") is a little low unless on level ground, no unusual head wind. When cruising I usually stay 2800~3200 rpms

mike
 

Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 30, 2012 at 12:07 PM.
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 01:30 PM
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TWIN CAM 96 is about right. My 2011 103 Limited Ultra is around 2700 -- 2800, at 72 to 75 mph, in 6th.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 02:49 PM
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Wow, I thought there would be more of an RPM drop. I thought for sure you guys would come back saying around 25-2600rpm in 6th
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Challenger
Wow, I thought there would be more of an RPM drop. I thought for sure you guys would come back saying around 25-2600rpm in 6th
Depends on the year and model as the ratios are different. My 07 runs around 2600 at 70 in 6th which matched pretty closely to the link mkguitar posted. According to that same link the 09+ baggers are geared slightly different and run 2700 at 70. Personally I think the 6 speed is the greatest thing HD has done on the big twins in the last decade.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Challenger
Wow, I thought there would be more of an RPM drop. I thought for sure you guys would come back saying around 25-2600rpm in 6th
I bet there would be with a Baker 7 speed.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 03:18 PM
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My '12 Ultra Classic is at 2500 RMP @ 70mph. that is with TD, heavy breather, SERT, rush slip-ons.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by mikelikesbikes
I bet there would be with a Baker 7 speed.
Baker's 7 speed and HD's CruiseDrive gear ratios are both 1:1 in their respective top gears. Therefore their 'running down the highway' RPM's will be the same. The gear spreads in each are different, of course, and the 7 speed will pull better through the gears because there isn't as much RPM drop between shifts.
 
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 04:01 PM
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If you don't mind giving up a little "oomph" in the lower gears you might consider changing the front and/or rear pulleys. Heck of a lot cheaper.
 
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