Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique What is better for the bike?

During my intown rides I have noticed that a lot of the speed limits are 35 mph or 45 mph. I also noticed that those speeds seem to be right on the line of a gear change (35 mph from 3rd to 4th and 45 from 4th to 5th). At those speeds, which is better ~~ to run a little harder on the lower gear or a little lighter on the higher gear? Just curious.

Depends... Is it flat? Are you doing that speed for a while or stopping and starting? If I'm going light to light, I won't bother with an extra upshift, I'll just rev a little, then let the engine slow me down too. But if its a long flat stretch where the bike won't really be workin too hard, I'll upshift.

me 2

Frank

It's better on the engine not to lug it down.

On city streets I like to keep it in the power band for quicker throttle response, that is around 4000 rpm.
Like Bennny, if the traffic's light and the streets are clear, I'll upshift.

You won't hurt it by winding it up a little.

If you are not going up a hill, the bike will pull OK in 5th at any speed above 35, so you can use the higher gear when running at the shiftpoint. Look at automatic transmissions in cars, If it upshifts at 35, it downshifts from that gear at 30 - 32. Just be ready to downshift if you need to accelerate quickly.

Lower gear intown. You need to be able to vanish at the twist of a wrist if necessary. Power is your friend.

I tend to shift up probably more than necessary. I've noticed when riding around town with my HD friends I usually ride in a higher gear. If I keep the rpms up in the lower gear and give it the gas, I jump too far in front of them.

I perfer to keep the rpm's higher when riding in city traffic. Personally I perfer not trying to lug the engine down with a higher gear. Another reason if needed you can speed up quicker if a cager threatens your safety with out down shifting. Just my opinion but thats how I ride.

Consider a safe minimum RPM at the early peak torque mark if calling for the engine to work on the level or steeper. (You can cheat that figure a bit in the lower gears on the level if you roll up on the throttle easy.)

For many years and models of Speedmasters & Americas, peak torque begins to happen at around 3500 RPM. The owner's manual should have your specific peak torque figure.

I'm not exactly clear on how the above figures into play if a faster than stock front sprocket is installed. In my limited opinion, you may have to compensate a bit with higher minimum RPMs with a fast front (or rear) sprocket, especially in 4th & 5th.

Oil analysis will tell you if you're doing it right. Too much metal in the oil often indicates too much lugging.

The torque range should be the same no matter what sprocket you're running. It would just affect the particular speed at same rpms. I try to keep the rpms above 3000 as much as possible.

Definitely keep it in the lower gear Rev as that gives you rapid response in case some plonker does something stupid that you have to avoid. It won't hurt your baby at all.