This winter I installed a set of Duals, a FuelPak, the EPA Duals all from Vance & Hines onto my 2010 FLHTK (love the looks wanted less sound and better breathing) and I switched to K&N Air filter to help air flow. Bike runs great and sounds better without upsetting everyone in the housing plan. I noticed this before the change over: when bike is hot (reading about 240 on Oil Temp) in 5th or 6th about 55-60 climbing a hill bike has very little power if downshift to 4th all good but if roll on power it acts as if it has a miss. Has not improved with the exhaust and fuelpak. Have seen posts on this "problem" on other forums. Looking for thoughts. Ridding for only 37 years and to be honest the Limited is my first HD. Really enjoy it works well for me and the wife after 18K in 2 years this is my only real issue with the HD. I first noticed this right at a service needing done (10K if I remember right) so had plugs changed (my nickle) and did not notice it happen again for a bit but it also cooled down. The changes to exhaust has not made it better or worse so suspect its another issue, before digging into a weak coil or some other gremlin thought I would ask here. early spring this year went back roads in VA & Wv never had an issue showed up a week or so ago when temps went up.

 

power for climbing is found above 3200 rpm.

even though your bike will pull at 2000 rpms, it is not good for it and if persistant will turn the lower end bearings into powder

my 09 is my 6th HD. 6th gear is reached at 65 or 70 MPH on flat ground with no headwind- keep the motor in the rpm range where you can pull away from a hazard OR back off the throttle to control speed ( rather than hitting the brakes)

the "traditional" putt-putt sound was on similarly V shaped motors, but very different internal designs, hemi heads, low compression, coarse carburation and often manually controlled ignition timing
So my '53 sounds like that- but not the 09

Mike

 

At 55-60 mph, you should be good in 5th gear unless the hill grade is significant. I only like 6th gear on the interstate at speeds greater than 65 mph, and even then I will either speed up or down shift before climbing a grade.

 

Thanks As mentionned earlier The Limited with the 103 is my first HD after 37 years and wanted to ask the site for information. You all answered my concerns. Been running 4 cyl, high rev-ing beasts before switching to the HD. Been having a blast dressing it up to fit me. Thanks again for the responses... I'll keep 6th for the highway. I ride every day to work and no need to ever get above 5th on the back roads here around western PA. Just hit 18,600 running around today with the wife, this living without kids in the house is AWESOME.... and with a bike she is happy on makes it even better...