Is it possible to change the gear ratio's on the V-Rod? I personally think they are to high. What would be involved in doing this? Or is this a stupid question? I'm pretty much a novice.
djkuntz
At this time the only option is to change the front sprocket to a 28 or 29 tooth. The stock sprocket is 30 tooth but the 04 is coming out with 28 tooth from the factory. If you choose the 28tooth at this time no calibration is available to correct the speedometer however HD is releasing a flash for the 28 tooth sprocket accoriding to the 04 parts catalog. Keep in mind that your top end will be reduced by 7% with the 28 tooth sprocket.
Max
Max
Stock gear ratios.
As mentioned above, the only thing you can do is to swap to a 28-t sprocket.
In my opinion, and for most US riders, the gearing on the V-Rod is actually quite good.
When people say that the gearing is "too high", I suspect that they mean first gear is a little tall. And maybe it is - but this is really only a problem if a) you spend a lot of time at the dragstrip or b) don't know how to go around sharp corners without "chugging" in first gear. (The solution - either go round a little faster, with the bike leaned over more = reduces rear wheel effective diameter, and therefore the effective gearing; or just learn how to feather the clutch (without stalling the bike, falling over, breaking your leg, and then filing a BS "safety" claim with the NHTSA.. but I digress)
For just about every other "daily driving" scenario the gearbox works just fine. The relatively close ratios mean that you can keep the bike comfortably in the powerband when shifting if you want to acclerate real quickly. Personally I use the gears as kind of a "speed governor" when I'm riding in town and wish to avoid conversations with the police. Second gear in a 25 MPH zone is such that the engine lets you know when you start riding faster than is wise in such a situation.
Likewise the fifth gear works well on the freeway. At first I thought it was absurd that you could keep the bike in fifth all the way from 70 to 140 mph - but then I thought - why not? Here in the US, most riders rarely ride for very long at speeds greater than 75-80 mph (maybe a little higher out west..) Plenty of sportbikes (the Honda RC51 comes to mind) have a top gear that is pretty much useless for any speed less than 85 mph - what is the point of having a gear that you'll hardly ever use, except on the track? I suppose Harley could go and redesign the gearbox to put in a higher sixth gear - but if you use it, you'll find you miss that burst of speed from the V-Rod's 60-80 mph roll-on. At 75 mph (my personal highest sustained cruising speed) the bike is still doing less than 50% of redline - so its not like you're really working the engine that hard.
So - Harley is putting the 28-t sprocket on the 2004s - obviously they got some feedback from folks who had trouble with the original. But I spend more of my time riding at 65 - 75, and I prefer the keep the revs down around 4000 rpm in top - I think I'd find 7% more revs (and vibration and engine noise, etc.) bothersome, especially on longer rides.
As mentioned above, the only thing you can do is to swap to a 28-t sprocket.
In my opinion, and for most US riders, the gearing on the V-Rod is actually quite good.
When people say that the gearing is "too high", I suspect that they mean first gear is a little tall. And maybe it is - but this is really only a problem if a) you spend a lot of time at the dragstrip or b) don't know how to go around sharp corners without "chugging" in first gear. (The solution - either go round a little faster, with the bike leaned over more = reduces rear wheel effective diameter, and therefore the effective gearing; or just learn how to feather the clutch (without stalling the bike, falling over, breaking your leg, and then filing a BS "safety" claim with the NHTSA.. but I digress)
For just about every other "daily driving" scenario the gearbox works just fine. The relatively close ratios mean that you can keep the bike comfortably in the powerband when shifting if you want to acclerate real quickly. Personally I use the gears as kind of a "speed governor" when I'm riding in town and wish to avoid conversations with the police. Second gear in a 25 MPH zone is such that the engine lets you know when you start riding faster than is wise in such a situation.
Likewise the fifth gear works well on the freeway. At first I thought it was absurd that you could keep the bike in fifth all the way from 70 to 140 mph - but then I thought - why not? Here in the US, most riders rarely ride for very long at speeds greater than 75-80 mph (maybe a little higher out west..) Plenty of sportbikes (the Honda RC51 comes to mind) have a top gear that is pretty much useless for any speed less than 85 mph - what is the point of having a gear that you'll hardly ever use, except on the track? I suppose Harley could go and redesign the gearbox to put in a higher sixth gear - but if you use it, you'll find you miss that burst of speed from the V-Rod's 60-80 mph roll-on. At 75 mph (my personal highest sustained cruising speed) the bike is still doing less than 50% of redline - so its not like you're really working the engine that hard.
So - Harley is putting the 28-t sprocket on the 2004s - obviously they got some feedback from folks who had trouble with the original. But I spend more of my time riding at 65 - 75, and I prefer the keep the revs down around 4000 rpm in top - I think I'd find 7% more revs (and vibration and engine noise, etc.) bothersome, especially on longer rides.
28T pulley - speedo calibration
Just to comment to the first answer.
I've installed an S&S speedometer calibrator and have been eble to perfectly recalibrate the speedometer. No more guessing what speed I'm at. Recalibration was done on a Dyno and is now totally correct.
I'm not sure if this is the exact modell, but that's pretty much it:
http://www.sscycle.com/technical/pdfs/Speedometer/51-1056.pdf
Just to comment to the first answer.
I've installed an S&S speedometer calibrator and have been eble to perfectly recalibrate the speedometer. No more guessing what speed I'm at. Recalibration was done on a Dyno and is now totally correct.
I'm not sure if this is the exact modell, but that's pretty much it:
http://www.sscycle.com/technical/pdfs/Speedometer/51-1056.pdf
You can have any gear ratio you want it's just $$$$$$$$$$$$!I've to agree with VRodDrew. I think the gearing is quite good. You do have to feather the clutch a little at take-off (especially riding two-up) but after that I have not problem with it at all. I don't think I would ever go to a 28T - I might try a 29.
I like cruising at 4100rpm (about 70mph) and if I need to accelerate quickly I just down shift and the bike takes off.
I like cruising at 4100rpm (about 70mph) and if I need to accelerate quickly I just down shift and the bike takes off.
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