went out for a nice ride to Greenport,LI yesterday to continue breaking in my '11 SG and was motoring along in the HOV lane at about 70-75mph, was a bit windier than what I like so kept the bike in 5th and was @3k rpms, would upshift to 6th rpms dropped to around 2200-2400 bike would pull but I didn't feel that "aggressiveness" or ability to push through the wind/moving around feeling.

I go through the gears and try not to stay too long of a stretch on one gear, I alternate 4-6 while on the freeways, but what gear should I really be in when doing 70-75mph? I made it up to 85 but that was for a short stint and on 6th gear, still need to break the motor in a bit more before staying at those speeds.

 

At 70+, I am in 6th.

 

You must have the 96" motor. When I hit 55 mph I hit 6th gear on my 11 RKC with the 103 and it pulls nice and strong. If your breaking in the bike still then stay out of 6th gear completely.

 

09 96" FLHTC

at 70 MPH on level ground with no weird head winds, I may be in 6th gear.
However if hilly, windy or if I anticipate having to pass or other wise pull ahead, 5th.

at that speed in 5th gear you can better control speed with the throttle up or down, partly closing the throttle will decellerate the bike without having to reach for the brake. This also plays into traction control.
the oil pressure and volume are also better at a higher rpm.



The above rider is happy at 2200 rpm in 6th.

too low for me- I've had a alot of Harleys, I run where the power is

Mike

 

On a level grade I may run my bike at 2200 RPM's but that is about as low as I will let it go but I never run the R's this low when the engine is under a heavy load. (I guess it's the truck driver in me and lugging an engine ain't good).
Going up hills I like to keep the tack between 2500 to 3500 which in the mountains may mean slowing down a tad and using a lower gear or shifting more often.

 

I'm in 6th anytime I can stay over 2000. My 103 Limited Ultra has more guts in 6th than my 09 Classic did. If I'm in 6th on a 2-lane at 62 mph, for example, I can easily pass a car in 6th, where on the Classic, I had to get to 5th to get up to a passing speed.

 

I agree substantially with mkguitar. 70-75 mph is the teetering point for me on 5th or 6th gear. It really depends on the road and conditions. Straight steady cruise on level ground 6th is ok, but if it's in a turn, or up a slight incline, or if I'm going to accelerate then I'm in 5th (or lower) gear.

55 mph in 6th gear as KCFLHRC stated he likes is way too hard on the engine for my liking. Additionally, you have very little throttle response either up or down at such a low rpm in 6th gear.

 

On my 08 96 CI Roadking I have no tach but never use 6th gear unless I'm 72-73 or faster. The 07-08 models I guess are taller geared so I use 5th gear alot more than I did on my 2011 Limited with the 103. I don't mind buying a little more fuel vs putting undue stress on the crank. JMHO

 

either

If in traffic and I need to stay where I have good throttle response 5th. If cruising without heavy winds or huge hills then 6th.

You won't blow it up in 5th gear. I have done 100 mph in 5th on my FXDB, and it was still pulling.

My best gas mileage is 60 mph in 5th gear or 70 mph in 6th gear. I get 45+ when cruising at those speed in those gears. 65 mph in 5th and I loose about 2-3 mpg, and the same goes for 75 in 6th.

 

11 RK riding solo from 65 and up always in 6th.