Gentlemen, Ladies, the weather has not been too kind this year, but averaging 7,500 each season until this one, since this love affair, has been fairly good. Anyway:
At 20,000 miles most of the torque came out at the rear wheel, 5th gear could hold at low speeds.
At 25,000 miles more of the torque came out at the rear wheel, 5th gear could hold at lower speeds.
At 30,000 miles more of the torque came out at the rear wheel, 6th gear could hold at 5th gear speeds, 5th gear at 4th gear speeds, and so on.
In the beginning we all experienced 6th gear worthlessness @ 61 mph-3100 rpms on level ground. This includes 96's as well. "Cruisedrive, what the Hell is that ?" I have to break the speed limit of 65 mph in order for 6th to work at all ? Something's wrong here ? It's called "Break-in !" "Miles !" Most who didn't make big changes to their bike, know exactly what I'm talking about. My experience took a few more miles, because I alternated with Amsoil @2500 intervals. Service put in Syn3, I changed halfway with the other.
We here in my part of Central Pennsylvania, have a ridge. Elk Gap atop of Fredericksburg Mountain. It is a test for anything internal combustion, especially for those pulling heavy boats/campers up over headed east to Raystown Lake. The return trip has an advantage with a straight shot, fairly even incline,before the twisties headed down on the other side.
Reality came one day @ 20,000 miles on a return trip headed west on the even incline. I was able to hold 6th gear just under 2000 rpms all the way up, without lugging and had a little throttle to work with as my speed increased. Reality came again at 30,000 miles when I pulled Elk Gap headed east up the twisties @ no less than 40 mph in 6th gear. So this is what Cruisedrive is all about !
I have heard stories of riders dumping their new bikes to get back their old one's, because the old one was better for some reason. Only they know why, but I have my suspicions. A lot of riders only clock a couple of thousand miles per year. Those fortunate to move up every few years will never have experienced the full potential of what comes after break-in which comes much later than the old lubrication which was not the new synthetics.
There are other factors, especially fuel meaning "Octane !" If you ride a bike and don't use the highest octane available, you are kidding yourself my friends, unless you ride for economy. Economy really doesn't mentally fit with Harley-Davidson, in my mind. Quality is another factor. Even though I use the best available to me, there are fluctuating factors beyond my control. One of those factors are "How much 93 octane am I getting when I top off my tank with 2.5 gal.'s in a 5 gal. tank ? Some say there is @ gal. of fuel in the pumps before your choice is delivered. I would bet that first gal. is 87. Don't buy fuel from a station that has a tanker delivering, stirs up the crap that settles at the top/bottom of the fuel within their tanks. Fuel for thought on your tank.
As a member of a national patriotic riding organization, we were invited to have the Distinct Honor and Privilege of escorting the Patriot Flag http://www.thepatriotflag.us/ from Shanksville
to the Pentagon site on the 10th anniversary of Sept 11, 2011. This was about a 200 mile escort. This was a ride of a lifetime primarily because Todd wounded in Fallujah on Sept 12, 2004 obviously had a direct connection with the Escort. This was his first with the riding Organization since his Membership. Todd can be seen in the light digi camo's in the Shanksville Fire Co thread. His unit 2nd Marine Division Light Armored Reconnaissance 'Delta' Co, recipients of the coveted Presidential Unit Citation. On the return trip somewhere between Frederick & Hagerstown, MD I needed to fall in behind Todd who just moved over to the fast lane. A car was slowly passing on my left, but I had maybe 75 yds to pull in behind him. At 65 mph I slammed down into 5th with a twist of the throttle, the rear lifted up, but nothing happened. Backed a little off the throttle/clutch and the traction came back as I followed thru with my maneuver. I can only imagine how much tread was left this side of Frederick. Especially since I just installed the new computer designed Dunlop replacement rear tire, which has been a plus.......J
Our riding organization, got a couple of minutes ? :
In Memory Of (in no particular order):
LCPL Mark Engel:
http://inhonorofmark.com/view-guestbook.phpLCPL Scott E. Dougherty:
http://www.corpsstories.com/memoriam-Dougherty.htmLCPL Justin T. Hunt:
http://www.godsmarines.com/huntjustin.htmCPL Jeffrey D. Lawrence:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/washingtonpost/guestbook.aspx?n=jeffrey-d-lawrence&pid=3097897&page=2PFC Rodricka A. Youmans:
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/washingtonpost/guestbook.aspx?n=rodricka-a-youmans&pid=3097901This is 2nd Marine Division Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAV-25's) 2004. Youtube title "INSANE/BADDEST FIREFIGHT EVER....AL'KARMA IRAQ".
(Don't know who made the title, most likely not 2nd LAR, as this is only a few minutes long, and was almost daily work.) Word is, after this footage was made, sometime later, days later, there were LAV-25's in a 5 1/2 hr firefight in the middle of the night against over 100 insurgents.) If this below does not load, try loading manually by entering the title above. There will be (2) choices, look at the image, they are both the same. Find a way to get there, You will Not be disappointed.