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[SBB]

I'm picking up a new bike for my bride in the next few days.

There has been a wish list created and I added a 6 speed transmission to the list.

It was on the list till I saw the price, OMG $2,800.00 for a complete or $2,100.00 for the gear set. (not including labor)

After seeing the price my vote is no.

Are there any discounts to be had or better alternatives that are less expensive (but as good or better) than the Screamin Eagle 6 spd transmission?

$2,100.00 or $2,800.00 will buy a lot of wear and tear on the motor and a lot of gas.

What are the thoughts?

SBB

[Hoist!]

What kinda bike you getting her? Same one?

Hoist!

[Twolanerider]

It is a question with a variable answer Chip.  First off is what bike are you bringing home?

If it's another SEEG I'd say not worry about.  Torque curve on those is such sixth isn't quite in the common cruising range anyway.  I never considered it for the red bike until the engine work was done.  That moved the torque curve in both earlier and longer.  Six speed is great with that combination now.  But with the stock combination it would'n't have been needed anytime I was doing an extended cruise under 80 mph.

As to price I got good deals on eBay.  But it took awhile each time.  As you and I have discussed the gearing on the old SERGs scream (almost literally) for a sixth gear.  Took about six months but I scored a gear set for it for $900.  The gear set in the red bike was just under $1300 on an eBay find.  Got lucky with that one as a seller posted it with that buy-it-now only a few days after that bikes transmission ate itself.

[HOGMIKE]

I'm picking up a new bike for my bride in the next few days.

There has been a wish list created and I added a 6 speed transmission to the list.

It was on the list till I saw the price, OMG $2,800.00 for a complete or $2,100.00 for the gear set. (not including labor)

After seeing the price my vote is no.

Are there any discounts to be had or better alternatives that are less expensive (but as good or better) than the Screamin Eagle 6 spd transmission?

$2,100.00 or $2,800.00 will buy a lot of wear and tear on the motor and a lot of gas.

What are the thoughts?

SBB

Questions:
What year/model bike?
Do you seem to be hunting for another gear?
Do you spend most of your time in excess of 65-70 MPH?
Do you ride mostly freeway or 2-lane twisties?
As an FYI, I put a Baker in my old bagger when they first came out, I spend a lot of time on 2-lanes, pretty straight roads, 80* MPH (lots of open spaces around here!!)
Best investment on THAT bike.....I have to power there to pull 6th, without downshifting.
Last summer in my travels to the East coast, I rarely used 6th. Just not a lot of straight roads, or open spaces where the speed limit is above 65.

JMHO......

[miker]

Nope...howd I do?

[Fired00d]

Nope...howd I do?

I'd have to agree...

She'll have much more fun staying on the cams then cruising in six gear.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Boatman]

6 speed not worth the cost IMO either.

[ice6900]

Do you seem to be hunting for another gear?


You will be hunting for 7th gear  so dont bother with the upgrade!
imho

[cahdbiker]

I put a six speed in a 1995 Heritage I have. It originally came with the 32/65 combo sprocket, and after I got the six speed I thought it was really a waste it that particular bike. I am now running a S&S 107 in the Heritage with a 31/70 sprocket combo which is a great set up for cruising because I can use 6th gear easily at about 72 MPH and it pulls great at lower RPM. However the S&S 107 is a lemon. It has been completely rebuilt under warranty after 7000 miles because of piston slap.And two thousand miles later it is back in the shop because of what I thought was excessive valve train noise when the oil was hot, but my mechanic (Bennett's Performance in Long Beach who is a great guy to deal with ) said the pistons were loose again and that one of the cylinder liners had slipped. Thankfully it is still under warranty. Sorry to get off the subject. I am just glad I have my 09SEUC (silver) to ride.CAHDBIKER

[jfh]

Not worth the additional expense IMO. Even on mountain motor bikes with fat TQ/HP I prefer fewer gears with wider spacing.

[Puzzled]

In my opinion it depends on the make and model of bike. The 01 and down baggers absolutely need a six speed or a gear change. The later bikes can get by without one.

[djkak]

Considering that most TC 5 Speed machines will run out faster in 4th than in high gear, you would think that a 5 speed would be enough. I felt that way until I went riding out west in ’06 with a group of folks that had Cruise Drive machines. The first thing that I did when I returned home was to stuff a 6 speed in my ’02, 113” FLTR.

Of course the machine must have the torque to pull 6th gear, or it simply doesn’t make sense to consider. As you know, taller gearing with descent torque has a substantial impact on comfort when cruising at high speed. Based on my experience riding with my Wife and her machine, when she is happy I am happy; when she is comfortable, I am comfortable. It’s amazing how much impact the machine running next to you has on your riding experience.

If you like to run fast and mamma’s machine is more comfortable to ride at high speed, you will be more comfortable running at high speed. When momma is comfortable, SSB will be comfortable. Of course the reverse almost always true; at least for me it’s true. It may be kind of selfish, but go ahead and get momma one for your riding pleasure.  Also, as you describe the benefits of the heavy duty transmission, it might not be a bad idea to occasionally mention that this is a Motorcycle transmission....stopping now before this gets too personal.   Good luck.

[Cvostu]

i put a dd6 in my 04 seeg.   2100.00 for the gear set and 11 hrs to put it in and all back together.   So wow, I do 70 mph at 2600 rpm instead of 70 at 3000 rpm.  Gas milage is about the same and I still downshift at 60 when i want to move. So I really think it was a big waste of $$ and time and totally not worth it. If it comes with one- great. If not the 5 speed was just fine.   I would not recommend it.  Sorry Baker, just being honest here.

[djkak]

i put a dd6 in my 04 sseg.....So wow, I do 70 mph at 2600 rpm instead of 70 at 3000 rpm.....So I really think it was a big waste of $$ and time and totally not worth it.

If 70 is the upper limit, I wouldn't disagree with you. In the western states when fudging the 75 limit, you often run much faster than 70; maybe somewhere near the mid 3’s on the tach with a 5 speed machine. The extra 400 RPM only makes a difference when you are running on the wrong side of the sweet spot. JMO.

[dartman]

I'm picking up a new bike for my bride in the next few days.

There has been a wish list created and I added a 6 speed transmission to the list.

It was on the list till I saw the price, OMG $2,800.00 for a complete or $2,100.00 for the gear set. (not including labor)

After seeing the price my vote is no.

Are there any discounts to be had or better alternatives that are less expensive (but as good or better) than the Screamin Eagle 6 spd transmission?

$2,100.00 or $2,800.00 will buy a lot of wear and tear on the motor and a lot of gas.

What are the thoughts?

SBB

Ive run both, if the Bike comes with it from the factory fine, I wouldn't spend a great deal to add it, My 09 is in 5th gear the majority of the time anyway.