I gotta agree with Jay
I have a 5 speed - not a 6 speed.
I'm not shifting into 5th until I'm doing 70+ on the freeway.
On the secondary roads, unless I'm cruising - I'm usually in 3rd until 55-70....
3rd gear is so long on the 5 speeds - it's amazing.
Different styles for different situations.
Unless you are cruising - staying in the middle of the powerband is your best bet to get out of potential trouble - added bonus - the vibration is gone.

 

Yeah but my ole lady prefers the vibration

 

I usually use 6th when I'm about 60 mph or better. Anything lower than that it is a dog.

 

Trying to accelerate in OD is difficult, since the OD gear devides torque. You can do it if the engine is powerfull enough. But it's not very effective, and it beats up the engine.

But thenew 6 speed is a very differant animal than the older 6 speeds. 6th is a direct drive 1:1, not OD. Acceleration is quite good. But like others have said, you need to get the rpm's up before beating on it. Minimum cruising speed seems to be 60-65. If you were pushing hard and acceleration, I probably wouldn't shift up 6th until 80-85'ish. All depends on where your torque curve is. Just like in the lower gears, short shifting costs you time..

 

Why does the Owners manual for my 07 Low Rider say to upshift to 6th at 55mph? I have no lugging at all going to 6th gear between 55-60 mph. Should I be winding 5th gear out a bit more before upshifting? What speed do you shift at going up the gear range? Per the manulal or not?

 

I only use 6th gear for highway cruising over 65 mph.

 

same here, i don't know about the manual, but 6th gear below 70 and certainly below 65 just doesn't feel right. i keep her in 5th unless i getabove 70

 

Ditto. Hell, half the time, I don't even remember I have a sixth gear...

 

Just rode home a new 07 superglide custom. Service guy said 6th gear at around 75mph. Sounds about what everyone is saying.

 

The reason that the factory puts those rediculous "how tos" is so that those riders that count MPG [:'(]get the most from a gallon of gas. If you shift into 6th lower than 70mph and it doesnt feel awkward well...............just forget what the factory says about everything cept fluid levels