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[rascal1007]

What RPM do you normally shift at?

A friend of mine recently cratered the top end of a 95" in an Ultra while on a trip. He typically shifted at low RPM (2000 or even less)

When he was at the dealer that rebuilt the engine, the service manager told him that he shouldn't be shifting at such low RPM.

When my friend asked him about the 110 CVO, the service manager commented that the minimum shift RPM should always be above 2700 due to the short piston skirts.

Comments??

What RPM is the minimum?

[Hoist!]

What RPM do you normally shift at?

A friend of mine recently cratered the top end of a 95" in an Ultra while on a trip. He typically shifted at low RPM (2000 or even less)

When he was at the dealer that rebuilt the engine, the service manager told him that he shouldn't be shifting at such low RPM.

When my friend asked him about the 110 CVO, the service manager commented that the minimum shift RPM should always be above 2700 due to the short piston skirts.

Comments??

What RPM is the minimum?

I'll normally shift anywhere above 3500 RPM to the next gear. Normally much higher though!

But NEVER take these motors below 2000 RPM IN ANY GEAR but 1st (if you must)!!! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!!! Best way to scissor your crank if ya do. So to do that I wouldn't upshift below 3 grand! These babies HATE lugging!!! Plus, you ain't in the cam's sweet spot til at least 3 grand anyway!!!

Hoist!

[charles05663]

When I first got my SERG I shifted about 3000 to 3500 and I NEVER try to run below 2000.  Now I shift about 3500 to 4500 and even at 5000.

For me my cruising RPMs @

1st  10 mph @ 2000 rpm (I think)
2nd 20 mph @ 2000 rpm
3rd 30 mph @ 2000 rpm
4th 40 mph @ 2000 rpm
5th 50 mph @ 2000 rpm
6th 60 mph @ 2000 rpm

I find that I will run in a 40 mph zone I run 3rd or 4th; 3rd if I need the additional pickup.  When I hit the interstate, I shift to 6th around 65+ mph.

Is this too slow?

[DICKW]

I think it depends on how I am riding, I would say normally between 2700 and 3200 on average. If I am running harder, I would say 3500 to 4800.

Sometimes I am in 6th gear and  running 2200. I know what lugging is, and I try not to do it. Some may say 2200 is a low RPM for 6th gear but not sure that qualifies as lugging.

Wife on the back I am mellow, running solo I run her pretty hard in my opinion.

[aclass]

I think it depends on how I am riding, I would say normally between 2700 and 3200 on average. If I am running harder, I would say 3500 to 4800.

Sometimes I am in 6th gear and  running 2200. I know what lugging is, and I try not to do it. Some may say 2200 is a low RPM for 6th gear but not sure that qualifies as lugging.

Wife on the back I am mellow, running solo I run her pretty hard in my opinion.

I'm with you DICKW,   as long as I'm not lugging the engine I typically will use 50-55mph as my "shift into 6th" point.  On reasonable terrain the 110 doesnt seem to mind crusing just above 2000rpm.

[DW6019]

Shift between 4 - 5000 normal riding from low and then at a point where I won't get to many tickets from the other gears, 6100 or just before shutoff when humping. Most times try to keep above 2000 even when cruisng in traffic. NEVER Ride or shift less than 2K.

[Highjagger]

Ups , good info , I guess i have to change my shifting-points .

[SERK3]

Same here between 3,000 to 3500

[Screamin]

I'll normally shift anywhere above 3500 RPM to the next gear. Normally much higher though!

But NEVER take these motors below 2000 RPM IN ANY GEAR but 1st (if you must)!!! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!!! Best way to scissor your crank if ya do. So to do that I wouldn't upshift below 3 grand! These babies HATE lugging!!! Plus, you ain't in the cam's sweet spot til at least 3 grand anyway!!!

Hoist!

+1

[grc]

phftttt!  I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't feel right running 3500 rpm in first gear while cruising through the neighborhood.  And lugging isn't just based on rpm, it is load versus rpm.  So if you're just maintaining speed on that level piece of road and the rpm's are 2000, that isn't lugging.  Lugging is if you then decide to get racy and pass someone, or climb a steep grade, without shifting down to an appropriate ratio.

Regular riding, not trying to race anyone from a light or impress the teeny bopper in the convertible in the next lane, there is nothing wrong with shifting at a point where the rpm's drop back to 2000 after each shift.  If H-D can't make their parts strong enough to withstand that, they need to find a different business to go into.  Maybe they could become the USA distributor for a Chinese chrome plating company?  (Oh, they already are in a way - never mind.) 

BTW, the original post mentioned the top end on the bike having the problem.  That's not where "lugging" is going to be a major problem anyway.  Lugging is much more likely to pound the crap out of the rod and crank bearings or twist the crankshaft.

Jerry

[FNGw/08SERK]

phftttt!  I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't feel right running 3500 rpm in first gear while cruising through the neighborhood.  And lugging isn't just based on rpm, it is load versus rpm.  So if you're just maintaining speed on that level piece of road and the rpm's are 2000, that isn't lugging.  Lugging is if you then decide to get racy and pass someone, or climb a steep grade, without shifting down to an appropriate ratio.

Regular riding, not trying to race anyone from a light or impress the teeny bopper in the convertible in the next lane, there is nothing wrong with shifting at a point where the rpm's drop back to 2000 after each shift.  If H-D can't make their parts strong enough to withstand that, they need to find a different business to go into.  Maybe they could become the USA distributor for a Chinese chrome plating company?  (Oh, they already are in a way - never mind.) 

BTW, the original post mentioned the top end on the bike having the problem.  That's not where "lugging" is going to be a major problem anyway.  Lugging is much more likely to pound the crap out of the rod and crank bearings or twist the crankshaft.

Jerry

Not sure why but there is a considerable difference between my 08 SERK and 09 SERG regarding this topic. My 08 could not be run below 2600 rpm without feeling as if it were "lugging". The 09 on the other hand will go to 2k no problem. Gearing 

Howie

[LarryB]

I run all my gears up to 3000-3200 and then shift, unless Im scalding the dog, then higher. I don't even touch 6th until im doing 70+, when at 3k in 6th im doing 78

[HDDOCFL]

My 09 SERG lives at 3000 Rpms and shifts are done at around 4000 Rpms and higher. Motor is quiet and smooth.  Doc

[grc]

Not sure why but there is a considerable difference between my 08 SERK and 09 SERG regarding this topic. My 08 could not be run below 2600 rpm without feeling as if it were "lugging". The 09 on the other hand will go to 2k no problem. Gearing 

Howie

The gearing is different, and it also can be a result of the tune.  Harley has been running their engines very lean in the lower rpm's for years now, even before O² sensors, and that leanness causes a jerky feel down low.  If you have it tuned properly from idle on up, versus just 2500 and up, it makes a big difference.

Jerry

[FNGw/08SERK]

The gearing is different, and it also can be a result of the tune.  Harley has been running their engines very lean in the lower rpm's for years now, even before O² sensors, and that leanness causes a jerky feel down low.  If you have it tuned properly from idle on up, versus just 2500 and up, it makes a big difference.

Jerry

The 08 had a SERT and a dealer tune (ac/RHTD's) .... 09 TTS, Fullsac, Andrews 32h .... just throwing it out there.

Howie