View Poll Results: What speed in what gear am i in

what RPM range is the best under load

100.00%

what speed is good for 6th gear

when cruising at 110kmh what gear is best

how do I stop pinging under load

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speed and gear selections

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Nov 11, 2009 | 08:22 AM

kevinklaas

Thread Starter

Stage I

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 1

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From: Manjimup Western Australia

speed and gear selections

Hi fellow riders,
I have just purchased a 2010 heritage Softail Classic and would like to know what the best speed is for each gear i select. I have been following the guidelines in the users manual however at 110 kmh in sixth gear the motor pings under load. Yes in recognising this i have changed down a gear and this eliminates the problem an thus reduce any damage that may occur tio the motor. As there is no tacho on the bike i do not know what rpm the bike is doing at different speeds and different gears.

I have had fitted by the local dealer a Vance and Hinze set of pipes, a Screamin Eagle air cleaner and a Screamin Eagle Fuel pack and am wondering if this contributes to the motor pinging under load due to fuel mixture and or the timing setting.

I have never owned a Harley before so i am not accustomed to the correct speed/gear ratio. Japanese bike have been in my life for over 35 years and well they have a tacho and this makes life easier.

I know in time I will get the feel of what the motor is doing however i do not wish to damage it by running at the wrong speed in the wrong gear and m very carefull not to over rev the motor whilst running it in.

Your help, adviice, recomendations and technical information or anything that would be of assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Nov 11, 2009 | 09:56 AM

oct1949

Club Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 145,895

Likes: 821

From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..

I'd would think its the gas, low octane causing the pinging..
NEVER had ours ping and we bought it new, we always use 93 octane fuel...
as far as speed, when new I didn't shift into 6th till 65 mph. 105kmh
Now after putting in cams I ride at 60 (95)kmh, alot and it pulls easy and doesn't ping..

As far as what My lowest speed that I will normaly ride at is......I do what we call 10 for each. For U it would be 15 for each.
3rd gear, 30mph (50kmh)
4th gear, 40mph (65kmh)
5th gear, 50mph (80kmh)
6th gear, 60mph (95kmh)

The second column in (kmh) should help U to determine what to use for the lowest speed in each of the gears.
If Ur are using the best HIghest octane gas U can get, then I'd take it back in for service and have the dealership have a go at checking the timing or something in the motor...

Also look in the tech area of this forum, there lots of info in here. and U can use the search feature to even look for more stuff...

Welcome to the forum. From Indiana.

Last edited by oct1949; Nov 11, 2009 at 10:02 AM.