Went to test drive a used 2015 883 Iron at the local dealer yesterday and it started to lightly rain so I had to postpone or wait. I chose to come back Friday. Coming from a 99 RKC, I'm concerned the Sporty will feel wound up in 5th gear at 70mph like my wifes Honda Shadow 750. Why no sixth gear on the new Rushmore bikes?

 

Because its not needed? And whats a rushmore bike?

 

Awesome. If the overall opinion is that it's not needed, than cool. Apparently the Rushmore Project was a few houndred improvemetns made to all harleys starting with 2014. OK by me. Thanks.

 

At 70 a Sportster is going to be more 'wound up' than a RK but most likely less so than the Shadow.


The real question though is; 'does it matter?'
You can run 70+mph from sun-up to sun-down and you will NEVER hurt a Sportster. The extra RPM's vs a RK will not hurt a thing no matter how long you plan on riding it. They're built to take it and the nearly 30 years since the Sportster EVO came out has proven a million times over that Sportsters are good for the long haul.
Now, if it's just something you find annoying then there's a good chance a Sportster will annoy you. They do turn some decent RPM's on the highway (3000-4000rpm depending on speed). Quieter pipes and/or ear plugs can help a lot with this though (hear-no-evil Lol!).


Another tip: 1200's are geared taller than 883's so their cruising rpm's will be lower at any given speed.

 

I had a 05 xl1200c And it was a good bike and would cruise 70mph just fine but I cant say I didn't look for that 6th gear every now and then. Not saying the 1200 needed a 6th but I have tried haha.

I've heard mixed opinions on the 883 and everybody is different so its really something you are going to have to find out for yourself, and most the time you wont figure it out in a 5 minute test ride.

 

I came off a V-Star 650 Classic - On the highway it was wound up tight & screaming above 60mph. But same thing, could run all day like that.
Now have the 883 & it's nothing like that.
Feels great in all gears/speeds!

 

FWIW, "Rushmore Project" appiles to the "Touring" models only

 

Thanks for the input. Sounds like I have really nothing to worry about but holding on and having fun.

 

coming off sport bikes I was looking for 6th more than once but i am use to it now.. Only took a couple hundred miles..

 

I'm always looking for another gear up anyway. Wish mine had a sixth.