The lastest American Iron has a great article on this subject. It's under oil coolers of all things. Stating that newer Harley's need to be rev'd alot higher than older models due to the new tranny and tooth count on the rear spocket. Starting with '06 Dyna's (an 88 with 6 speed) and even higher with '07 Dyna's on up. My is an '06 and also my first Harley. So I wouldn't no the differance. Wish I had a tach though, 'cause I know I lug alot.

 

A tach would be nice on my FatBob but I don't think I'll add one. I don't want to clutter the handlebar with added stuff PLUS it's another thing that can break! Although I have to say I had a Cobra tach added to my VTX1800 and when the wind sound was too loud in my ears to hear my motor it was nice to be able to SEE how much i was pushing the motor by the tach. If it becomes an issue I THINK Harley makes a Fat Bob tank mounted speedometer/tach that can be put on the bike. ......... For a price! :-) But right now ... I think once I get use to the bike and where IT likes to be shifted I'll be fine.

 

EASY 1-10 2-20 3-30 4th-40 5th-50 6th-60. When getting on it, 3rd at about 80. I try to never go to 6th under 60 MPH.

 

I run 6th gear only after 70mph registers 2700 rpms.

 

This may be a stupid question but I'm in no way shape or form a mechanic so please bear with me. Do you think having stage II and the big bore kit would make your motor tach differently then a Stock 96 with simple after market slip on pipes and a few low level SE upgrades?

 

Donny Petersen, what a dipstick. I can't believe he gets paid for writing what he does. He writes an article about oil coolers and ends up rambling on about a hundred things other than oil coolers. Same type of crap every month.

 

i would think so, but i'm no expert. I noticed a difference between stage 1 and stock, seemed like it was taching differently, but i dont have a tach and cannot confirm this.

 

I had an 06 Streetbob with an 88" 6 speed which I traded in for my 08 Wideglide after the primary bearing went.
They are definately geared differently. I remember being in 6th around 60-65 on the 06, but with the 08 it lugs and almost feels like its vibrating below 65.

 

Glad someone else came up with this simple approach besides me! When i first got her i didn't shift until i felt vibration in my butt, now i shift a little sooner - which is where i picked up ray's approach. I don't even think about 6th until over 60 mph - usually around 65. Don't like to feel like the motor is lugging. That's just me. Sure would have been nice if a tach was included from the factory in the superglide. It is a manual transmission after all.

 

While most shift points are a matter of personal preference, in general the bike will complain if you stress it too much either way. I was going to add my 2cents, but it's really just my personal preference, and where my bike "feels" right.

Of all comments here, I agree with "DaxE" statement. I like to be in the powerband when riding - easier to slow down - easier to speed up.