shifting points
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,518
Likes: 57,068
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
thx for the info from the guys who sent info on a forum thats meant to give info. To those wise a####. F@#$ off. R u kidding. Why is there always a moron. Just asked a question. Been racing motorcycles since i was 10. Its a new bike that has a tendency to have issues with bearings and just wanted to know how and why some other riders with the same bike hit certain shift points. Its justa stinkin question and if u think its stupid then move on to another thread.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
Like Uncle Larry said.
There ain't no rules or charts - you're riding a motorcycle, man. Once you've recognized the idle rpm and the rev limiter rpm, shifting anywhere in between becomes child's play - there's no right or wrong way. People that say they always shift between this rpm and that rpm are full of $hit - that just doesn't happen in the real world.
Your proclamation of vast motorcycling experience should have made this issue a no-brainer.
There ain't no rules or charts - you're riding a motorcycle, man. Once you've recognized the idle rpm and the rev limiter rpm, shifting anywhere in between becomes child's play - there's no right or wrong way. People that say they always shift between this rpm and that rpm are full of $hit - that just doesn't happen in the real world.
Your proclamation of vast motorcycling experience should have made this issue a no-brainer.
Last edited by Leftcoaster; Jun 21, 2013 at 09:04 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Just stepped up from a fat bob to a Ultra. What are your shifting points on the ultra? I seem to be shifting at a lower rpm with the ultra. At first i figured id have to rev alittle higher due to the extra 200 lbs but shifting at around 2500 rpm seems right. anything higher the bike seems to over rev and hit a limiter. any imut would help much. thx.
Also, if you are entering an interstate that has even moderate traffic, you would be wise to run at a pretty high rpm before shifting and reaching cruising speed. Likewise, if you ride twistys even with moderate enthusiasm, you will want to keep rpms up and use engine braking.
You will be a safer rider if you are keeping your head up and not looking down at the tach.
Carl
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 11
From: Oroville,Washington.
Racing since you were 10?
Musta' been all gangsta' on yer Big Wheel,making those "Vrooom! Vrooom!" noises.
What a tool. Guess all them "racing" bikes had automatic trannies,so you never had to worry about keeping the motor in the optimum power range. Or you lost every race.
Musta' been all gangsta' on yer Big Wheel,making those "Vrooom! Vrooom!" noises. What a tool. Guess all them "racing" bikes had automatic trannies,so you never had to worry about keeping the motor in the optimum power range. Or you lost every race.
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
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 418
From: South Carolina
Rode a RK without a tach, didn't miss it. Bought a SG with a tach, don't often use it. It's been my experience that the bike tells you when to shift - there's no 'right' or 'wrong' shift point (unless you're lugging or bouncing off the limiter).
The scientific answer is "For power, shift at or just past your maximum power output. For economy, shift points are less important than throttle opening." Or some crap like that.
The real-world answer is "Just ride it, you'll know."
The scientific answer is "For power, shift at or just past your maximum power output. For economy, shift points are less important than throttle opening." Or some crap like that.
The real-world answer is "Just ride it, you'll know."
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 46
You may want to clarify the anything over 2500 feels like it is hitting a rev limiter. If you have raced bikes then you should know if the bike is running right. The engine should twist up to 5K with no problems, if it doesn't you may have other problems. Good luck
Toby
Toby
