When to shift

[streetg]

Get used to the bike and ya really won't need to worry bout what yer tach or speedo says. Like the guys above said, sound will tellya when to shift, but, also factor in FEEL. Betwixt sound n feel( you should feel that motor pulling when ya twist that throttle ) you should be good. Iffn it has no sack, or you've wound it up to the point it has lost its pull, your prolly not in the gear you should be in. This is a pretty generalized statement cause there is always exceptions to the rules, but sound n feel, learn to be one with the bike grasshopper and you'll never really need a tac or speedo, at least in relation to shift points.

[jgc89]

i've got a evo but i like to shift about 3000 rpm run 2500to 2800 cruising.

[patched]

Ride it like you stole it....the motor will be fine.

[hardheaded]

Originally Posted by Lefty

I dunno about leaving it in neutral. I always leave mine in 1st and pulling in the clutch lever is the fist thing I do when climbing on . . .


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do a search on here about leaving your bike in gear.bad starter switch,turn ing. on and bike takes off on it's own.

[MikeYork5]

Originally Posted by dzlfitr

It depends.....



...what kind of oil are you running???

LOL....ur kinning me

Do what feels good to ya, I short shift, and cruise at 70-75 in 6th (2000 rpm) on the freeway all the time, it's all good. When ya want to have some fun in the twisties bump it up a little.

[RKC-Charlie]

Originally Posted by egrave

On a 05 Road King what is the shifting speed. And if I am crusing at 45 to 50 MPH what gear should I be in.

Great answers here. I wont go to 5th myself until 55 or better. Harley engines like to spin fast and really hate to lug. Spin it, you wont hurt it. I am not suggesting to pound the hell out of it, but don't short shift thinking you are doing it good.
I have a pair of 6 speed Harley's, on a smooth hwy the Road King is fine in 6th at 65 while the Street Bob really like's 5th at that speed. You'll get the fell of it.

[Playback1]

Originally Posted by RogerDodger

There's no rules man, just ride it for awhile, you'll figure it out....trust me.

Man, I couldn't agree with you more. How do some of these people ever get on a bike. Is an automatic the only thing they have experience with? Maybe 45 years or so of riding experience makes these question rather inane.

[thefour]

I would say 45 years of riding is awesome. Glad you are still around to give such great advice and be a dick. Hope you make it 45 more maybe some of that wisdom will mature by then.



I agree with the more you ride in parking lots and back roads will help you figure out when to shift and how to shift. Get out there and practice. It wont take to many times till you can hear and feel the bike's need to up/down shift. Good luck.

[AzFAL]

Originally Posted by <G Man>

I also agree with MadCity and I have no tach. The key here is "cruising".

If I were accelerating to an interstate speed, I would still be in 4th gear (or 3rd).

If I were on a steep downhill slope, I might be in 4th to limit my momentum.

If I were on a steep uphill slope, I might be in 4th to keep from lugging.

If I were cruising on level ground, I'd be in 5th.

Feel it out. There is no "correct" answer.

I agree with MadCity, StreetG, & G-Man. Road conditions such as riding on an incline, decline, or thru the twisties will also determine your shift points. As you ride you should evetually develop a feel for where the engine "likes" to be in the RPMs.

I also think it is better to error on the side of being higher in the RPMs when shifting than lower in the RPMs. I lot of guys think shifting in low RPMs to keep the "Harley sound" is cool while they are really just lugging their engines & beating the crap out of the bottom ends.

[Homesick]

Originally Posted by hardheaded

do a search on here about leaving your bike in gear.bad starter switch,turn ing. on and bike takes off on it's own.

I'd think getting run over or having a blow out are more likely to happen than that. Guys still ride. And, like Lefty said, there's a clutch.

joe

[Homesick]

Originally Posted by AzFAL

I agree with MadCity, StreetG, & G-Man. Road conditions such as riding on an incline, decline, or thru the twisties will also determine your shift points. As you ride you should evetually develop a feel for where the engine "likes" to be in the RPMs.

I also think it is better to error on the side of being higher in the RPMs when shifting than lower in the RPMs. I lot of guys think shifting in low RPMs to keep the "Harley sound" is cool while they are really just lugging their engines & beating the crap out of the bottom ends.

+1 on the second paragraph- that's what I was waiting to see.

joe

[93Horse]

Originally Posted by Lefty

I'd be in 4th @ 45 & 5th @ 50 to be well above 2k rpm. But, I don't wind my bike out much. Don't see the point. I'm sure you'll get some, "a real biker would be in 3rd," responses.


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A+ if riding by the book... road conditions, grade etc. may dedicate something different. Get a tach if you don't have one.

[Bear64]

Originally Posted by egrave

On a 05 Road King what is the shifting speed. And if I am crusing at 45 to 50 MPH what gear should I be in.

well, here it is a monthe later, did you ever find out just when and how to shift?? experince is the best teacher, tape up your speedometer and ride it for awhile with out looking at the speed, you will soon learn how to ride much better...nobody can tell you how or when to shift, it is just something you learn or you don't learn...if you have to depend on the Tach to shift, other then all out racing, your learning a bad habit..the seat of your pants and the sound of the engine will tell you when to shift, listen and feel that....

[93Horse]

[QUOTE=Bear64;2209135]if you have to depend on the Tach to shift, other then all out racing, your learning a bad habit../QUOTE]

Really,,,

[Bear64]

[quote=93Horse;2209143]

Originally Posted by Bear64

if you have to depend on the Tach to shift, other then all out racing, your learning a bad habit../QUOTE]

Really,,,

yes really, why would a street rider need one, oh right, to look cool, and for the company to charge more for the bike. a good rider don't need one..