How is riding at less than 5,000 rpm a bad habit?

 

True fact!

However, we as Harley owners had learned long ago that we have to tweak our bikes to make them "right". (Sad, but true).
Based on that premise, the 49T clutch basket gear turned my "too tall" gearing into "oh yeah baby" gearing.
Others do the other primary gear, or the tranny pulley. Plenty of options to choose from.

No need for that 5 speed unless you are a sunday driver who never goes much above 55.

I can't dispute that. Many newbies lugging the **** out of 'em.



.

 

This graph shows a typical TC88 torque curve, adjusted to fit road speed, instead of engine speed. The top line shows my 3.75:1 overall gearing, the second one stock TC88 gearing, the third line is a typical 6-speed trans with raised overall gearing.

We can see that peak torque is a long way away from the typical road speeds we ride at and current gearing is a joke, with peak torque at well over 100mph. My shortened gearing (21T compensator) puts peak torque at around 85-90 mph, perfect for spirited riding!

The bottom line shows crankshaft torque corrected to road speed. The other curves show how rear wheel torque is magnified by overall gearing. We can also see why a 6-speed bike, close to the start of the torque curve, is so slow off the mark and has little in the locker when going into a wind or even up a slight hill.

 

Alot to be said for that.

 

I think everybody who has experience with a manual transmission knows you're supposed to downshift in order to accelerate quickly, there isn't a replacement for torque multiplication. The goal for the 6 speed is fuel economy, even if the BSFC is better at peak torque you're still spinning the engine over faster and milage is suffering.

All of the other v-twin manufacturers have 6 gear OD transmissions and similar or better fuel economy numbers, gotta improve the product to retain market share. Victory had one when, like 2006 or so? Same as when we got ours?

I wouldn't list the 6 speed as a must have by any means, but I'm not pulling it out of my bike to install a 4 or 5 speed...

 

Not to mention that there's no need to cruise at (or even near) the engine's torque peak. Given a flat road riding solo, there's nothing in the world wrong with cruising at 2000~2200 rpm. That ain't lugging. If you're 2-up and trying to climb a mountain at 2200 rpm, then you're lugging.

 

I seem to recall the 07's being geared tall and that that was changed in 08.


As for me, I have an 06 FLHTC with the 5 speed and am happy as pie!

 

I think 09's did something with the rear sprocket to improve the too-tall gearing. My 08 was definately still tall in the gearing until I changed my primary ratio. It's the perfect trans for me now.

 

+1 I am in the same situation.

 

Easy solution.

Ride Faaster!