General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Do Any of You Big Guys Lug the Motor (i.e. knocking) During Take-Off?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 09:23 AM
  #21  
brunswickoh's Avatar
brunswickoh
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 4
From:
Default

Originally Posted by OldFenderGuy
"Lugging" a V-Twin engines is the worse thing you can do if you want it to last 50,000+ miles without any major problems.

Why? I see it repeated over and over but what exactly will lugging an engine do to it and why? and not because "some guy that really knows what he's talking about" told you.
 
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 10:37 AM
  #22  
fireman9513's Avatar
fireman9513
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: eastern NC
Default

Its the throttle by wire, theres a delay be it ever so slightly.
I just receieved a new 3 ton truck at work and it has the throttle by wire.
I have found that shifting gears with this set up is even different.
And I have to drive the truck in one aspect of or job at around 3 miles per hour with 3 men working off the back of the truck.
This set up stinks as at 3 mph the throttle is between sending a signal to apply fuel to not sending it so it makes it extremly hard to keep a steady speed, which is very important when men are working on the back of the truck.


Its the same on the bike, if you try to ride real slow you will have the same problem.
I would rather have a cable throttle any day.

So like its been said, you are going to have to roll on the throttle and get the rpms up then let out the clutch.
I have an 05 electra glide with cable throttle and I weigh at 300 lbs and the wife is close to 200 and have no problems like you describe.
 
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 10:49 AM
  #23  
tda69's Avatar
tda69
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 83
From: Southern California
Default

Originally Posted by bamorris2
I weigh in at just a tad under 300 lbs.



When taking off from a stop, I have to be careful to properly feather the clutch, otherwise the motor will lug and knock loudly. It seems that I need to rev the motor first, then let out the clutch. On most other bikes that I've had before, I could start to let out the clutch and then gas it. But it's backwards on this HD. Just an observation.
I have only one thing to say......GET IN MY BELLY! I'M GONNA EAT YA! I WANT MY BABY BACK...BABY BACK..BABY BACK RIBS!
 
Old Jul 26, 2009 | 04:41 PM
  #24  
dog155's Avatar
dog155
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Default

You just have to spend a little more time practicing taking off.Especially on a hill,magnified with a passenger.
 
Old Jul 27, 2009 | 02:54 AM
  #25  
bfreesun's Avatar
bfreesun
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 0
From: UK & France
Default

We have a Citroen C4 in France and it's horrible to drive slowly. Wonder if that's the reason?

Excessive clutch wear may be an issue.
 
Old Jul 27, 2009 | 12:15 PM
  #26  
Pumba11's Avatar
Pumba11
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,020
Likes: 69
From: Twin Cities, MN
Default

About the same size as you. And no, I don't have that problem.
 
Old Jul 27, 2009 | 12:22 PM
  #27  
frog13's Avatar
frog13
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
Default

I've got you beat by some poundage and even two up on an '08 RK, no problem with lugging. In fact, '79 shovel, 80"er, no problems there, either. As far as the TBW lag, I've been ridin' 35 years and now I have TBW, I don't notice any lag at all ....... Me thinks you just need to get used to the new bike.
 
Old Oct 29, 2009 | 11:07 PM
  #28  
BlackFLHR's Avatar
BlackFLHR
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 880
Likes: 81
From: California
Default

Just thought I'd provide an update... I installed the Screamin' Eagle Big Twin Compensator a few days ago, and the knock that I described in the OP is completely gone. So it was the compensator all along knocking, not the motor (thankfully).
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 29, 2009 | 11:27 PM
  #29  
p.o_o.h's Avatar
p.o_o.h
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Default

I'm half your size but always rev up before engaging (letting out) the clutch. Never tried the other way with any other bike or car.
 
Old Oct 30, 2009 | 06:06 AM
  #30  
DeafUltra's Avatar
DeafUltra
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 119
From: Brockport, NY
Default

Good way to know is when you pop the clutch and hear the tire squealing...It's much better than lugging the engine, LOL.

Seriously No...Like others said, "Just give it more gas, rev the engine up to an desired RPM range and engage the clutch as you're good to go".
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:46 PM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE