Hi, all. Not only am I new Nightster owner, I am a new rider also. 2K on my black 2010 1200N.
Since the Harley is the only bike I've ridden at speed and there is no tach, I don't have a reference point in shifting my stock bike from 4th to 5th. I shift to 5th at 60 MPH, but that seems to bog the engine down a little. At what point are you guys going from 4 to 5?

 

I usually go into 5th around 50-55 if im on flat level ground and plan to sustain my speed for a while. Ill hold 4th to 55-60 in traffic where i might need to zip out of the way.
BTW 2008 Nightster purchased as a leftover in fall 2009 as my first bike as well.

 

60 is about minimum for 5th and it will feel a little boggy at that speed but the engine will quickly recover with very slight acceleration. There's gobs of torque down low with the 1200 so you're not gonna hurt anything - even at 55, it'll just kinda chug along. But at the same time she can really handle being wound up too. Stayin' in 4th up to around 60 will produce a buzzing sensation which I usually use as a signal to go ahead & shift - I've also just let 'er rip on up to at least 70 before shifting to 5th - she always pulls right through just fine. After some experience you'll discover what the engine likes as far as gear selection at given speeds and rpm's - it'll become natural the more time you spend on the bike.

 

+1...always depends on traffic