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what speed do you shift into 5th?

Bacongrease

Bacongrease

Tuned and Synch'ed
GT Contributor
Joined
Jun 17, 2020
Messages
91
Location
Iowa
Somewhere I read (here?) you don't need to shift into 5th until 80 mph. I ride the 2004 Stone around town, so I don't get out on the highway much, I usually ride the HD on long rides.
Recently I got thinking on this as I did take the MG with the HD group and was tooling along around 80.
Hum, does the whine I get when in 5th at around 60 hurt anything? I guess not.

what speed do you shift?

🏍️
 
On my 98EV not in 5th unless I'm 80 or above, don't shift till at least 4K rpm. I run the rpm up & down in 2nd & 3rd, don't do 4th till I can be at 60 all the time. My rpm is usually 3800.
On my LM3 it was similar cuz I have a 8/35 gear in rear(tallest they made at the time installed in 85)
 
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5th gear wine is not unusual and is common. On 5 speed bikes I have owned it would confirm that I was in 5th. On my EVs I would go to 5th so long as I was above 3,000 and an easy cruise. The 1100s have quite a bit of torque and it doesn't strain the engine.
 
I just shift when it sounds right. :cool:
I have no tach, thinking of buying an electronic one. I don't know how they operate but would have a clue when tuning, etc.

I bought the bike from the next door neighbor after being idle for 5-6 years. He went down after hitting a deer and deciding with 4 rug rats under 6, yes 6 yrs old he retired from riding. So it had no taillight or gauges. But it did have all the upgrades. He did butcher the loom with add any electrical gizmo sold.

:think:
 
If you don't have a tach, why did you ask the question? So long as you don't lug the engine you will be fine. Like you said, shift when it sounds or feels right. V700 Steve's rear drive ration is not common. I believe you have 8/33 gearing so not as high a ratio. The LM3 is only an 850, so he needs to turn higher RPMs to not lug/strain his engine.
 
john zibell said:
If you don't have a tach, why did you ask the question? So long as you don't lug the engine you will be fine. Like you said, shift when it sounds or feels right. V700 Steve's rear drive ration is not common. I believe you have 8/33 gearing so not as high a ratio. The LM3 is only an 850, so he needs to turn higher RPMs to not lug/strain his engine.
Click to expand...

Every vehicle I have/had had a tach. I eyeball it a lot while traveling and am curious to what the RPM is when cruising..and shifting.
 
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Bacongrease said:
Every vehicle I have/had had a tach. I eyeball it a lot while traveling and am curious to what the RPM is when shifting..
Click to expand...
I started on the road in the 1960. In the 1950 tractors. Cars and trucks were manual. Never saw a tachometer until many years later. You go by feel and sound. Besides, the ECU on your bike has a built in rev limiter so going past red line doesn't happen.
 
I almost never shift into 5th gear. My 2003 California SS is mated to a Motorvation sidecar. 70 MPH in 4th gear is all I need. That speed/gear combination keeps the RPM in the 3000 to 4000 sweet spot. Just like my Airhead BMW's, I prioritize the desired RPM and select a gear to yield the desired road speed.
 
James A said:
I almost never shift into 5th gear. My 2003 California SS is mated to a Motorvation sidecar. 70 MPH in 4th gear is all I need. That speed/gear combination keeps the RPM in the 3000 to 4000 sweet spot. Just like my Airhead BMW's, I prioritize the desired RPM and select a gear to yield the desired road speed.
Click to expand...
Makes sense with that extra load.
 
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