What RPM do you consider "lugging"
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
I was raised (dirt bikes/duel sports) on going by the feel and sound of the engine. After I ride a bike for a while, you become one and just know when to shift based on the overall current conditions. For me, that is better than looking at a tach other than occasionally. Ride safe and watch the road ahead!!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 17
From: Between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Texas
I try to maintain 2500 rpm's and above on my 07 EGU. That is until traffic dictates less. 2500 puts me at about 72/73 mph in sixth gear and it just seems to purr there. Drop below 70 and I down shift one.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 177
Likes: 135
From: Tucson, AZ
Okay to revive oldie but goodie thread?
Hope I'll be forgiven for reviving an old thread. This one is just completely relevant and I don't see the point of multiple parallel threads. So, all the "by feel" guides that were give above--such as a little goosing of the throttle should give instant response or you may be lugging--made perfect sense to me. I don't have a tach, but I did a lot of riding of various motorcycles in my younger days and have a pretty good feel for power bands, shift points, etc. ....at least I thought I did until I checked the recommended shift points in the owner's manual for the 2005 Softail Deluxe. If I shifted ANYWHERE NEAR those recommend speeds, I would be totally lugging my engine. It says to shift into 2nd gear at 15 MPH. At 15 MPH 1st gear on my bike hasn't even gotten going. The manual says to shift into 3rd gear at at 25 MPH. 25 MPH is where I MAY be shifting into 2nd gear. If I am into 3rd gear anywhere before 40 MPH I will be on the cusp of lugging the engine. How can this be? Is it possible some custom gearing changes were made to the bike by a previous owner?
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 177
Likes: 135
From: Tucson, AZ
I ask, not because I am going to change when I shift--I know I'm doing it right. I ask, because a snappy little answer frequently seen on these forums is "RTFM!!" So, my real question is, if the manual is not even close on this topic, why should I bother to "RTFM?"
...and for those who might say, "Those are the recommended gear shifting speeds for the break-in period," no, they are not. They are simply the recommended shifting speeds. Nothing about break-in is mentioned. Furthermore, if it was for break-in, why would Harley want you to lug your engine during break-in? That would be the worst thing for it.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 203
From: Susanville CA
I am right with you. I keep my 2015 Ultra between 3-4K all the time. Mostly cause I feel it accelerates better if I need it. I don't do allot of freeway riding but the little I do is almost the only time I ever use 6th gear.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 655
From: bklyn,ny
Didn't ask how to shift. In fact, clearly stated that I know when my bike likes to hit the next gear--even gave some shift points. If you had taken the time to read to the end of the post, the actual question was, "How can the manual be so far off?" It is in fact so far off, that I asked if perhaps there had been a gearing change made by a previous owner.
I ask, not because I am going to change when I shift--I know I'm doing it right. I ask, because a snappy little answer frequently seen on these forums is "RTFM!!" So, my real question is, if the manual is not even close on this topic, why should I bother to "RTFM?"
...and for those who might say, "Those are the recommended gear shifting speeds for the break-in period," no, they are not. They are simply the recommended shifting speeds. Nothing about break-in is mentioned. Furthermore, if it was for break-in, why would Harley want you to lug your engine during break-in? That would be the worst thing for it.
I ask, not because I am going to change when I shift--I know I'm doing it right. I ask, because a snappy little answer frequently seen on these forums is "RTFM!!" So, my real question is, if the manual is not even close on this topic, why should I bother to "RTFM?"
...and for those who might say, "Those are the recommended gear shifting speeds for the break-in period," no, they are not. They are simply the recommended shifting speeds. Nothing about break-in is mentioned. Furthermore, if it was for break-in, why would Harley want you to lug your engine during break-in? That would be the worst thing for it.