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[Buy early]

Anyone out there upgraded their ride from a stock 5-speed to a six-speed transmission (either HD or Baker)? Rode a wide glide with a Baker six speed out at Sturgis for a few days and sure liked the more relaxed RPM's at highway speed (South Dakota highway speeds anyway - 80+). Was wondering what the views were of the HD six-speed from existing owners and any comparisons between the two brands. Any views on putting a non HD tranny on a CVO? Not super concerned about resale as I my wife will bury me with this bike. More concerned about quality of ride, durability, reliability and ease of use factors. Would be interested in the feedback from forum members.

[hogasm]

Anyone out there upgraded their ride from a stock 5-speed to a six-speed transmission (either HD or Baker)? Rode a wide glide with a Baker six speed out at Sturgis for a few days and sure liked the more relaxed RPM's at highway speed (South Dakota highway speeds anyway - 80+). Was wondering what the views were of the HD six-speed from existing owners and any comparisons between the two brands. Any views on putting a non HD tranny on a CVO? Not super concerned about resale as I my wife will bury me with this bike. More concerned about quality of ride, durability, reliability and ease of use factors. Would be interested in the feedback from forum members.

Ask yourself....how ofter do I ride at 80+ mph to justify spending over $2000 just to listen to the relaxed sound of your motor

It is not worth the money.......but it is your money so spend it how you want to, I'd rather spend it on more fuel for a few road trips.

Personally .....I have the BakerDD-6 in a 2004 SEEG. For normal riding I hardly ever get to enjoy that 6th gear that I spent so much money on. Was it a waste of money....well for the 2 mpg on average that I get over stock...with the price of fuel now.....I have about 16 more years for it to break even

Did it help my motor last longer.....one thing to remember....every time your rpm's go under 2400-2500rpm's it is like taking a sledge hammer to your crank. Not a very good thing to do.....but it is your money and you like the relaxed sound of your motor so go for it

[Twolanerider]

Personally .....I have the BakerDD-6

You're just cranky because it keeps breaking .

[BIGDOG]

You're just cranky because it keeps breaking .

I think that remark would Qualify you to come off probation , that was just MEAN.

[Fired00d]

I think that remark would Qualify you to come off probation , that was just MEAN.

Come off or stay on??

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[BAKRDS]

I put the HD 6 speed in this winter.I like it.I can get into 6th at 60 mph as long as I'm not pulling a hill.I've got my fuel fattened up a little & the timing retarded a little so I get no spark knock in that 2000 to 2500 range.Would I do it again ?? Probably not,but only because I like the changes they maybe to the '09s & will probably get a 2010 if they have a color combo I like.

[grc]

I never have been a big fan of the overdrive transmissions, be they H-D or aftermarket.  Top gear in the stock 5 speed is good for effortless cruising in the 60-80 mph range, where most of us spend most of our time.  Dropping the cruise rpm too low just means more downshifting every time you want to pass a truck or climb a grade, and can lead to lugging the engine when folks get tired of the constant shifting and just leave it in 6th.  If you cruise at 90 mph and up, go for it (I would suggest a good windscreen to reduce the fatigue from fighting the wind blast, and a really good radar detector). 

As others have noted, definitely not worth the investment but what the hey, it's your money.

Jerry

[kojak]

I never have been a big fan of the overdrive transmissions, be they H-D or aftermarket.  Top gear in the stock 5 speed is good for effortless cruising in the 60-80 mph range, where most of us spend most of our time.  Dropping the cruise rpm too low just means more downshifting every time you want to pass a truck or climb a grade, and can lead to lugging the engine when folks get tired of the constant shifting and just leave it in 6th.  If you cruise at 90 mph and up, go for it (I would suggest a good windscreen to reduce the fatigue from fighting the wind blast, and a really good radar detector). 

As others have noted, definitely not worth the investment but what the hey, it's your money.

Jerry

If you do long distance touring, its worth it. Otherwise, save your money.

[hogasm]

You're just cranky because it keeps breaking .

Well most people like the relaxed sound of their motor turning such lower rpm's and in reality it is doing more harm to their motor than running it at 4000 rpm's.

Me I wish that the Baker would stay together long enough to see if I could enjoy the relaxed sound of that stock twin cam turning 2500 rpm's.

Reading and listening to people want to spend their hard earned money on a 6 speed reminds me of the Fram oil filter man...."you can pay me now or pay me later"....later being a new crank after it beats itself to death turning too few rpm's

[Twolanerider]

Reading and listening to people want to spend their hard earned money on a 6 speed reminds me of the Fram oil filter man...."you can pay me now or pay me later"....later being a new crank after it beats itself to death turning too few rpm's

True enough.  Often surprised that someone doesn't hear or feel their engine lugging. 

The red bike had no use for a six speed in stock trim.  Geared such relative to it torque curve that unless you were doing 80+ for a long highway stretch you'd never be there.

The top end rebuild and cams moved the torque curve down.  Now it's sweet spot is about 27-2800 and it pulls HARD there.  It actually could take advantage of an OD six speed with that torque curve. 

The one that has surprised me is the 2000 SERG.  It really catches its breath and wants to pull hard/best at about 3200.  But it pulls well from about 2800 and up.  Geared such, however, that it's at 3200 at 70mph.  In stock trim it could actually take advantage of the OD six speed.

Taking advantage of it and being a cost-wise choice are too different things of course.  They'll never pay for themselves.  Never ever never ever.  Going to stick one in the SERG sometime anyway.  But you don't get to break it! 

[hogasm]

True enough.  Often surprised that someone doesn't hear or feel their engine lugging. 

The red bike had no use for a six speed in stock trim.  Geared such relative to it torque curve that unless you were doing 80+ for a long highway stretch you'd never be there.

The top end rebuild and cams moved the torque curve down.  Now it's sweet spot is about 27-2800 and it pulls HARD there.  It actually could take advantage of an OD six speed with that torque curve. 

The one that has surprised me is the 2000 SERG.  It really catches its breath and wants to pull hard/best at about 3200.  But it pulls well from about 2800 and up.  Geared such, however, that it's at 3200 at 70mph.  In stock trim it could actually take advantage of the OD six speed.

Taking advantage of it and being a cost-wise choice are too different things of course.  They'll never pay for themselves.  Never ever never ever.  Going to stick one in the SERG sometime anyway.  But you don't get to break it! 

Yea yea yea...your one of the guys who actually make their transmission and gearing work with the powerband of their motor.....

so

lets take into account that;
1- the average bike gets 40 mpg
2- the average bike with 6 speed gets 42 mpg....wow 2 mpg better
3= average price for fuel is $4.00 gallon

at these prices and mpg you will save $0.05 per mile divided by $2500 for a new transmission installed = 50,000 miles

so

you see  that it will pay for itself

[Hoist!]

Cruising at 80 at 3 grand instead of 4 grand is really nice! And the normal 4 grand crusing speed is now 90! The bike would never do a buck thirty-forty without 6th unless it was regeared. Not that I ever saw that!

Hoist!

[Twolanerider]

Yea yea yea...your one of the guys who actually make their transmission and gearing work with the powerband of their motor.....

so

lets take into account that;
1- the average bike gets 40 mpg
2- the average bike with 6 speed gets 42 mpg....wow 2 mpg better
3= average price for fuel is $4.00 gallon

at these prices and mpg you will save $0.05 per mile divided by $2500 for a new transmission installed = 50,000 miles

so

you see  that it will pay for itself

Wait modem breath!  You're forgetting the one in the red bike ATE ITSELF.  The first gearset was about $1600 all done.  The second was only $1300 though.  Throw in a few extra gaskets and oil for a nice round $3k.  There's also probably $350-400 worth of tools.  So... oh... round it up to $3500.  No doubt have another $1600-1800 in the doing it to the SERG.  So once again round it all up to $5500.

You said a nickel per mile?  So a nickel divided by $5500 equals... ooops, 110,000 miles.  And we all know that anything to do with 110 leaks like a tramp steamer carrying fuel oil.  So these things will (I guess ) just keep leaking money forever...  

[Twolanerider]

Cruising at 80 at 3 grand instead of 4 grand is really nice! And the normal 4 grand crusing speed is now 90! The bike would never do a buck thirty-forty without 6th unless it was regeared. Not that I ever saw that!

Hoist!

Yeap, anyone who does these for fuel economy is off their meds...

[Hoist!]

Yeap, anyone who does these for fuel economy is off their meds...

Fuel economy? WTH is that??

There's no damn fuel economy WFO!!!

Hoist!