Which gear @ what RPM?
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Florida
Which gear @ what RPM?
New rider here. I've been renting from the local HD dealer to ride several different MC's to determine what I want to buy. Since I'm not an owner (yet) I don't have an owners manual to refer to. What are the recommendations on rpm range for which gear. I'm not as concerned about shifting points. Looking more for what gear/rpm range for constant speed at a given mph. Any rules of thumb for this?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: DOWN SOUTH
Welcome to the forums Rabell. 10 MPH for each gear. 10 MPH 1st, 20 MPH 2nd, 30 MPH 3rd, 40 MPH 4th, 50 MPH 5th, 60 MPH 6th. Thats a general rule of thumb I have seen in a few posts over the years but I like to twist on it a bit sometimes, lol. Hope that is what you asked for. If I am wrong, someone will set me straight.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
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From: Eastern NE
Direct from the Touring Owner's Manual on operation (shifting):
Gear Change Upshifting Speed(s):
1st - 2nd = 15MPH
2nd - 3rd = 25MPH
3rd - 4th = 35MPH
4th - 5th = 45MPH
5th - 6th = 55MPH
Downshifting Speed(s):
6th - 5th = 50MPH
5th - 4th = 40MPH
4th - 3rd = 30MPH
3rd - 2nd = 20MPH
2nd - 1st = 10MPH
See a pattern...now; I "don't" follow these speeds & ride by feel/RPM's. Shifting & gear selections, for my riding style, run between 2500 - 3000 RPM's and the only time I'm in 6th gear is on freeway @ +65MPH.
Gear Change Upshifting Speed(s):
1st - 2nd = 15MPH
2nd - 3rd = 25MPH
3rd - 4th = 35MPH
4th - 5th = 45MPH
5th - 6th = 55MPH
Downshifting Speed(s):
6th - 5th = 50MPH
5th - 4th = 40MPH
4th - 3rd = 30MPH
3rd - 2nd = 20MPH
2nd - 1st = 10MPH
See a pattern...now; I "don't" follow these speeds & ride by feel/RPM's. Shifting & gear selections, for my riding style, run between 2500 - 3000 RPM's and the only time I'm in 6th gear is on freeway @ +65MPH.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,453
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From: Oklahoma
Nothing wrong with any of the suggestions, but looking for a RULE limits flexibility. Once you gain a bit of feel for the machine, you will find that higher gears work fine on level or down hill situations but at the same speed going up hill the machine needs a lower gear. Only experience will gain you that perspective. On stock TBW bikes, wide open throttle is not available, regardless of twist grip position, until engine rpm is above 3000. This knowledge will help in making down shift decisions for passing etc.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
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From: Puyallup Wa.
Don't worry about it as a new rider there or other hazards you need to pay attention to.
Just ride you will develop a feel for what the bike likes where the power band is and that may not happen until you get your own bike and ride for a while.
Just ride you will develop a feel for what the bike likes where the power band is and that may not happen until you get your own bike and ride for a while.
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I stopped looking at what speed I was shifting at and started looking at the RPM. It was usually around 2400 for all gears. But I try to not let it get below 2000 in any gear. Like Sam said, in time you'll feel and hear your engine and know when to shift without looking at your speed or RPM.
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 18
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From: Florida
Thanks for all the responses! What a great place!
The answers seem to confirm what I was thinking based on riding these last few days. 2400 - 2800 'feels' like the sweet spot. Seems to get laggy the closer I get to 2000.
Thanks again!
The answers seem to confirm what I was thinking based on riding these last few days. 2400 - 2800 'feels' like the sweet spot. Seems to get laggy the closer I get to 2000.
Thanks again!
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