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rpm's and shifting

N

nwilliams

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I have a 2011 triglide, I was wondering what speed you should shift into 6th at and what rpm's you are running at in 6th gear at 60 mph, 65mph, and 70 mph. Dealer said i should not ever hit sixth gear until over 75mph. but at 70 mph in sixth gear I am running 3000rpm. the engine sounds pretty wound up. Just not sure if I am operating this right??
 
Keep in mind they are telling you this because it is not good to lug your motor. I usually shift into 6th on my ultra between 60 and 65. At 65 my bike turns about 2500 RPM by my tach, I usually run a lot at 70 and it turns between 2600-2700 RPM. Keep in mind a tri glide is probably a lot heavier than my ultra.
 
The Tri-glide must be geared different, because I'm turning 2,600-2,700 rpm at 70 like 89stroker is. A twin cam will run all day long at 3,500 (or more), so you're not wound up at all. I NEVER let my rpm's drop below 2,000 in any gear above 3rd.
 
I have a 5 speed so i'm not sure about the 6th gear question but I shift between 3000 and 3200 rpm's. I agree not to let the engine lug.
 
Thanks for information. I was worried about going over 3000 and causing damage. I will definatelly keep my rpm's between 2200 nd 3500 from now on. Thanks again nancy.
 
nwilliams said:
Thanks for information. I was worried about going over 3000 and causing damage. I will definatelly keep my rpm's between 2200 nd 3500 from now on. Thanks again nancy.
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On my 09 FLHR, doing 60/65 MPH in 6th IF Any pulling is needed like a hill Before Lugging, I shift to 5th and then back to 6th when level and not pulling hard again.

I just got off a long trip, 2 up and Heavy T-Bag, and used 6th gear a LOT...:bigsmiley12: 60/65 not pulling and mostly level, running great.

Loving it on the freeways at 75 speed limit, I would set cruise at 79/80. Riding the throttle for more speed but able to release the throttle to maintain 79/80...:D

90 MPH, the bike would run all day long if I wasn't worried about the LAW :newsmile037:

signed....BUBBIE
 
I shift @3000rpm most of the time. Cruise between 2ooo and 2500.My perception is a little better gas millage. At sixty I use sixth gear. Take it to 4000 to merge into traffic going 65 or more. Any suggestions welcome. 2012 Triglide
 
We just got back from Maggie Valley Trike rally on my 2010 Tri . when on I-24 and I 40 75 with cruise on 3200 rpms, 70 around 3000. I can shift into 6th around 60 or 65 keeping rpms above 2000 rpms. I am running a 30 tooth sprocket like the 2011s and 2012s. 2009 and 2010s came out with a 32 tooth sprocket. with the 32 tooth sprocket 6th was useless under 70 mph. Sweet spot on trike is 3000, 3200 in 6th gear. Hope this helps. Tom
 
Ok...I've heard a lot of folks say it is not good to "lug" the motor. What, exactly, do you consider "lugging" and how low is too low. My 103" has all kinds of low-end torque and will glide down the road all day at 1500 turns and will accelerate up fine. What damage will the "lugging" supposedly cause?
 
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