Could someone please convert from RPM to MPH, the shift points from 3rd to 4th, and 4th to 5th?
I don't have a tach and definatly don't want to be lugging it.&nbsp\\; Bike is 08 RKC

 

Not sure how to figure it but My old softail w/o tach was somewhere around 20, up to 25 in 1st, 35, 45, 55 on a 5 speed w/o lugging for a general shift points. If the rpms dont immediatly come up in any gear with a skight twist of the throttle drop a gear, your lugging. Look in your owners manual they will mention it.

 

thanks for the reply, but the gearing on the 6 speeds is way different from the 5 speeds. And the owners manual sucks! It has you shifting from 5th to 6th at 60 which is major lugging.

 

6th over 70MPH
Learn to shift by listening to the Engine. Youll know When its right to shift.

 

Had the same question. Service manager at my HD dealer (he has an 08 RG) said he's in 6th at 60 mph. I get a vibration(not lugging) at that gear and speed.&nbsp\\; I prefer to keep my (08 EGS) bike at 2500 rpms in 5th or 6th.

 

He tells you that because HD employee is told
NEVER to say 6th is for 75 mph and above...
It permotes breaking the law...

Yuh, I know

 

I've driven vehicles with clutches for 35 yrs now and very few of them had tachs. It's a combination of sound and feel not exact MPH.&nbsp\\; If you want, consider MPH to be a guidline not an absolute.&nbsp\\; Shifting gears at say 45mph may feel right on a flat road but not necessarily if you are going up a hill.&nbsp\\; (JMHO)

 

Here is an image of a spreadsheet I have. I typically shift at 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60. No lugging whatsoever, but I have freer-flowing airbox and mufflers along with appropriate fueling.

[IMG]local://upfiles/36555/52D8100974884475B755F109978AD656.gif[/IMG]

 

Bagman had it about right for a general guideline. The gearing on the 5 spd isn't a whole lot different. We just have an extra gear on the top end once you get past 65 or 70mph. My buddy said his '06 deluxe at 70 is turning 3100 in 5th and mine is at 3000 in 5th.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; But, seat of your pants and your ears are better guides than a book.

 

best way to know is get out and ride the bike pay attention to what it is doing &nbsp\\;&nbsp\\; experiment and learn your bike the old fashioned way.....by riding it