Gear vs RPM vs Speed Charts
#12
04-06-2008 | 10:09 AM
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Salina, KS
RE: Gear vs Rpm vs Speed Charts
Nothing like lugging an engine to make it die an early death. Sportster motors are born to turn--at least relative to the big twins. Those bikes (80", 88", 96") make their torque at lower RPM's than do the Sportsters, and require a different shifting strategy. That is one of the reasons that the 6-speed transmission was produced for those bikes, it permits cruising in a lower (and torqueier) RPM Range. (By the way, I am not trying to start a flame war with the BT's, just simply commenting that the motor's are designed differently)[sm=icon_cheers.gif]
Torque typically becomes acceptable in a Sportsterat 2500 to 3000 rpm, but my observation is that these bikes don't like to run less than 3,000 to 3.500 RPM. In my view, 5th is essentially an overdive gear, and, while it doesn't object to much to cruising in 5th above 60 or so acceleration from speeds below 75 to 80 requires a downshift to fourth. Otherwise the motor is struggling.
The shifting points in the manual is the factory line for the break-in, and you could find those who say that is way to low.
My shifting points (they vary a little depending on the circumstances):
1st to 2nd: 30 - 40 mph
2nd to 3rd: 40 - 55
3rd to fourth: 50 - 70
4th to 5th: At cruising speed for the day(but not below 55)
In something where acceleration is critical--merging into high speed traffic, for example--I might 2nd and third to redline (6,500 on mine).
I believe factory redline is set at 6,000 for the 2004 and up models. Before that, it was 5800 or so. The factory ignitions all have a cutoff--they won't let you go beyond redline, and running that high won't hurt the motor a bit, as long is it is warmed up.
As a matter of fact, it is probably a good experience forriders to take their bike to redline, just to be familiar with what it fels like when the limiter cuts in, as well as to know what the motor sounds like at that speed. It can be a bit intimidating the first time or two. I would suggest second or third gear, in order to avoid operating in contravention of the traffic laws for too long!
Torque typically becomes acceptable in a Sportsterat 2500 to 3000 rpm, but my observation is that these bikes don't like to run less than 3,000 to 3.500 RPM. In my view, 5th is essentially an overdive gear, and, while it doesn't object to much to cruising in 5th above 60 or so acceleration from speeds below 75 to 80 requires a downshift to fourth. Otherwise the motor is struggling.
The shifting points in the manual is the factory line for the break-in, and you could find those who say that is way to low.
My shifting points (they vary a little depending on the circumstances):
1st to 2nd: 30 - 40 mph
2nd to 3rd: 40 - 55
3rd to fourth: 50 - 70
4th to 5th: At cruising speed for the day(but not below 55)
In something where acceleration is critical--merging into high speed traffic, for example--I might 2nd and third to redline (6,500 on mine).
I believe factory redline is set at 6,000 for the 2004 and up models. Before that, it was 5800 or so. The factory ignitions all have a cutoff--they won't let you go beyond redline, and running that high won't hurt the motor a bit, as long is it is warmed up.
As a matter of fact, it is probably a good experience forriders to take their bike to redline, just to be familiar with what it fels like when the limiter cuts in, as well as to know what the motor sounds like at that speed. It can be a bit intimidating the first time or two. I would suggest second or third gear, in order to avoid operating in contravention of the traffic laws for too long!
#18
04-07-2008 | 02:32 PM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 1
From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
RE: Gear vs Rpm vs Speed Charts
ORIGINAL: Ric27
Yea I'm with you ldyMjo, I shift @ 20mph 30mph 40mph and 55-60mph minimum. I like to shift early and keep the revs down but that seems about as low as feels right. I hate luggin' the motor more than anything.
Ric
Yea I'm with you ldyMjo, I shift @ 20mph 30mph 40mph and 55-60mph minimum. I like to shift early and keep the revs down but that seems about as low as feels right. I hate luggin' the motor more than anything.
Ric
Okay folks,
One of the things that makes your bikes quicker/better than the big V-Twins is that they can rev higher. is your redline right at 6.2k?
I'm assuming some of you have done mods to push the redline enven higher? Your powerband is that area between peak torque and peak hp... Anyone have a dyno sheet? Anyways, on the 1200cc engines, you don't even hit your peak tq 'till 4000rpm, your peak hp will be in the mid 6k range, that's where you want to ride.
If you are bumbling around town, it doesn't really matter, but when you a bitch-slapping slop-tail street-light to street-light, ride you those rpms, from that chart, if you are running it hard, you should coming up on 50mph when you shift out of first.
The 1200cc is hitting 4k rpm at 31mph, so if you have shifted before then, you never even entered you power range, unless you were using the clutch, which many Harley riders seem to have an aversion to. But whatever the case is, clutch free, that's where your power comes on... 4krpm, peak torque...if you want to be safe, shift right at 6,200.. 47mph, you will get the most power out of your sporty.
#20
06-27-2008 | 05:14 AM
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: east of albany, ny