Hey all,
WellI have moved from sport bikes to real bikes (HOGS!!!) and I just purchased a 2007 Nightster, olive green and black, nice. Without a tach and with having sportbike experience I wanted to get some insight at what speeds you all recommend shifting gears. Help a newbie out. Thanks

Chris

 

Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

The owners manual that came with my 1200 C recommends the speeds at which shifts are recommended. Of course that's considering you're on a flat and level surface. Mine isn't handy right now or I would give those to you.

I believe (working from memory) that 5th gear is 45 and up. 4th gear is 35 and up. 3rd is 25 and up, etc. I tend not to go into 5th till I'm at 50. Everyone does it a little differently.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

That sounds pretty accurate. currentlyI go as follows:

1st 15-20 mph
2nd @20-30
3rd @ 30-40
4th @ 40-50
5th @ 50+

I just dont want to over do it especially when breaking int he bike soi I am unsure at which point I am pushing to hard and at which point I risk lugging the engine. Any feedback?

 

Sounds pretty good to me. Keep in mind you can short shift (shift earlier) when going down hill. Likewise take each gear a little further when you're going up so you don't lug the engine.

 

Good deal. One more quick beginner question. If I crusie along on normal city roads between 45-50mph and I stay in 4th gear, does that hurt the engine over the long run or should I then shift into 5th. The thing is those are the speed limits but the way the bike is set up that is right around where you shift to 5th. Alsothen, crusing on the highway at 70-75 in 5th gear, is that bad for the engine, it being 20mph higher then the shifting point into 5th? Sorry that these question may seem silly, I just always take care of the things i own so I want to make sure I am doing things properly.

 

I can't help you on your question, but those Nighter's sure are sweeeeet bikes. Welcome to the forum!

 

If I'm running along at 45-50, I will stay in 4th gear. You are not causing harm to the engine. I'd rather be reving the engine a little more than lugging it. Likewise, once you're in 5th gear (and once the bike is properly broke in) you are not going to harm the engine traveling at any highway speed. Even faster is o.k. as long as you're not a mad man. Think about your automobile as a comparrison. Once you're in high gear you can travel any speed you reasonably want and you're not harming the engine.

 

Not silly, I took my first long run today and was wondering the exact same thing!

Thanks for posting my thoughts.

 

Turn cylindrical thingy on right handlebar completely till it stops, when motor reaches optimum rpm's ( it will start to pop) this will be your shift point...SHIFT to next gear......continue through 5th gear. Have a great time and remember ITS UNDER WARRANTY

By the way...those Nightster's are WAAAY cool

 

Just learn where the rev limited kicks in and shift just before you hit it. Shouldn't take too long to master.