A Noob's Observation
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 3
From: Houston, Texas
A Noob's Observation
Ok, i have only been riding for about 4 months. Took the RidersEdge course and got my motorcycle endorsement and did the parking lot practice thing till i got comfortable with my bike. More than one person told me that a Sportster is not even close to being a good bike for a beginner, but hey, i won this bike and its all i got. Just now starting to do more and more highway riding and i have noticed that when i start to top out in each of the first 3 gears, my mirrors start to vibrate until i shift up to the next gear. I dont think this is bad, just think thats normal. Am i right?
[IMG]local://upfiles/53294/521A1A503FED4FD799B56359FAF53B77.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/53294/521A1A503FED4FD799B56359FAF53B77.jpg[/IMG]
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
From: East Central Illinois
RE: A Noob's Observation
Normal, it is a sportster. They vibrate a little and their engines are noisier than the bigtwins. Now if the front or rear starts vibrating or the whole bike vibrates excessively that maybe a problem. But a little mirror jiggle means you gotta get in it harder or shift. Kinda like a tach, just without numbers on it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 4
From: fegfsg
RE: A Noob's Observation
its normal.
also, take the gears a little farther before you shift. I have 4 gears on my old-*** sporty, I can take 2nd gear into 50MPH and barely get into 4th at 90. good for drag racing, shift as high as you want, its fun. but dont shift too early and lug the engine. thats bad.
whatever the recamended shift points are in your manual, go 5-10MPH OVER those before you shift,
also, take the gears a little farther before you shift. I have 4 gears on my old-*** sporty, I can take 2nd gear into 50MPH and barely get into 4th at 90. good for drag racing, shift as high as you want, its fun. but dont shift too early and lug the engine. thats bad.
whatever the recamended shift points are in your manual, go 5-10MPH OVER those before you shift,
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,337
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From: Houston, Texas
RE: A Noob's Observation
i shift into 2nd at about 20 mph and into 3rd at between 35-40 mph, is that good?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,154
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From: Phoenix, AZ
RE: A Noob's Observation
Yeah, that's pretty average. But you should NOT hit 4th until about 50 MPH. You'll foul your plugs if you keep your revs too low, just keep that in mind.
I don't know where I shift, because I have no tach or speedo
but it's about 20 (2nd), 35(3rd), 50(4th), and 65(5th), if I had to guess, lol. Obviously higher speeds if haulin ***, but for normal riding it's about right.
I don't know where I shift, because I have no tach or speedo
but it's about 20 (2nd), 35(3rd), 50(4th), and 65(5th), if I had to guess, lol. Obviously higher speeds if haulin ***, but for normal riding it's about right.