Another suggestion is to simply fill the tank and go ride for the day until you need to refill. You don't have to travel very far from home, simply use all the local minor roads you know, stop for lunch, but coverage a decent mileage. You should feel very different about your bike by the time you get home for supper!

 

07 and 08 hd touring bikes had gearing that made taking off from a stop require alot of gas and ridding the clutch.Changing to a jap sportster rear pully 66tooth to 68tooth fixes this and makes doing things like pulling into you garage much easier.

 

Thanks for all the Input guys. I’m pretty comfortable on the bike even in tight places. Took awhile to get used to the clutch after having my Suzuki boulevard for the last 3 years, but I’m used to it now. that first gear was just having me really wonder if it was normal or not. No I don’t use 6th to get in the garage 😂

 

Welcome to the 'new' normal! Glad you have cracked the challenge.

 

What years are interchangeable as in rear fenders from other years

 

I have a 2007 with the six speed and I don't use 6th gear below 70 MPH and even then if I'm pulling any kind of a grade, even a modest one, I will stay in 5th. It's really only effective at higher speeds on flat or declining roads.

 

What’s you idle speed in neutral?

 

I have an 08. As someone previously mentioned, the gearing in the 08's is not that great. First gear is very tall and takes a lot of clutch work. 6th gear is a dog and should be used for cruising only. I can't tell you about the RPM's since mine is a road king but if its only 2,000 rpm's, put it back in 5th.

You'll get used to it. Some people think the 08 is a bastard year but I love mine, ride it daily and will keep it forever or until I can't get parts anymore.

 

My 2008 was very hard to ride due to the tall gearing. I changed my rear sprocket to the 68 tooth one and the drive sprocket from 32 to 31 tooth. Made the bike enjoyable again. Whole different bike.

 

The Harley clutch can take some getting use too. A Highway Patrol rider showed me how to practice the clutch by riding up on a 2x4 without going over it and off the other side. It takes some practice.

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