What speed do you change from 4th to 5th
#1
08-21-2024, 09:10 PM
What speed do you change from 4th to 5th
I havee a 2002 harley fatboy. Its completley stock exept for Vance and Hines short shots with the extra quiet baffles. (ts a frankenstien trike) It doesnt have a tack. What speed do you change gears from 4th to 5th. The manual says at 45mph but that seems low.I have to ride about 20 miles the speed limit 50 miles an hour and it is well patroled by the police. So what speed do I change gears at?
Top Answer
08-21-2024, 09:56 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
I havee a 2002 harley fatboy. Its completley stock exept for Vance and Hines short shots with the extra quiet baffles. (ts a frankenstien trike) It doesnt have a tack. What speed do you change gears from 4th to 5th. The manual says at 45mph but that seems low.I have to ride about 20 miles the speed limit 50 miles an hour and it is well patroled by the police. So what speed do I change gears at?
There are so many variables that no-one, not even the manual, can tell you when you should shift gears based on speed alone.... Shift speeds will change based on load, speed, geography, and a host of other variables...
Riding uphill solo is totally different than riding downhill 2-up, etc, etc, etc.....
I've never used my speedo to determine when I should shift up or down... I use my ears....
I shift up when my engine is running smoothly, and I know a gear change won't labor the engine at the current conditions....
I shift down when the engine is about to start laboring, or I need a rapid acceleration...
#2
08-21-2024, 09:56 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
I havee a 2002 harley fatboy. Its completley stock exept for Vance and Hines short shots with the extra quiet baffles. (ts a frankenstien trike) It doesnt have a tack. What speed do you change gears from 4th to 5th. The manual says at 45mph but that seems low.I have to ride about 20 miles the speed limit 50 miles an hour and it is well patroled by the police. So what speed do I change gears at?
There are so many variables that no-one, not even the manual, can tell you when you should shift gears based on speed alone.... Shift speeds will change based on load, speed, geography, and a host of other variables...
Riding uphill solo is totally different than riding downhill 2-up, etc, etc, etc.....
I've never used my speedo to determine when I should shift up or down... I use my ears....
I shift up when my engine is running smoothly, and I know a gear change won't labor the engine at the current conditions....
I shift down when the engine is about to start laboring, or I need a rapid acceleration...
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#4
08-21-2024, 11:20 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
I wouldn't be in 5th below 45mph and definitely not two up or putting a load on it. Right about 55 mph is good but 50 mph won't kill it. Learn what it sounds like at 50 and keep that in mind when in other gears too.
A tach is great if you can get one. I tell everyone "nothing below 2000 rpms except 1st gear and sometimes 2nd".
A tach is great if you can get one. I tell everyone "nothing below 2000 rpms except 1st gear and sometimes 2nd".
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#6
08-22-2024, 05:11 AM
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08-22-2024, 07:18 AM
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#9
08-22-2024, 08:37 AM
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#10
08-22-2024, 09:02 AM
You have the Twin Cam 88b so that's a 1500cc engine, mated to a 5 speed transmission. I would shift up from 45 - 50 mph and not worry about it. The speedometer is most likely 3-5 mph off. No cop will ticket you, and your engine isn't lugging too low at that low speed. Generally, a stock TC88B is around 1800-2000 rpms at 45 - 50, in 5th gear.