When do you shift into 6th?

[Gone2Three]

So this may sound like an odd question but when I went from my 883 to the Freewheeler it was a new experience with a 6 speed and larger output engine. It always seemed like the sporty was wanting another gear while pushing the bike at highway speeds. The question comes now as I'm shifting from 4th to 5th on the FREE at what speed or rpms should I use the 6th gear? When in 5th about 40 mph and accelerating to about 45 almost 50 the rpms are in the 2200 range and engine sounds like it's ready for 6th... If I then shift into 6th, rpms drop into the 1900 to 2000 range and I'm going about 50 mph then. Of course rpms climb as speeds reach 65, 70. Your thoughts, and advice is greatly appreciated!

[consitter]

I usually wait until it hits around 3000 rpm. That's about 65 mph with my TG.

[Sunman]

I shift into 6th once I am going 65 or faster. I like to keep the RPMs above 2600 on the twin cam. Anything below 2500 or 2600 rpms and you are lugging the engine. You are shifting into 6th gear too early. Besides not lugging the engine you will get better acceleration response and better gas mileage. Continually lugging the engine will seriously shorten the engine life. The owners manual that came with the bike has shifting points in it as a guideline.

Sunman

[G.W. Viper]

I never use 6th gear..........I think it a waste of........oh wait a minute....I don't have a 6th gear......

[Raxus]

Usually like to stay about 2600 to 3k rpm. Motor runs real strong in this range. So for 6th gear that is above 65 mph normally.


Rax

[BinIdaho]

6th gear = 60 mph...sometimes if on "flat land" 55 mph. Love my 6th gear!

[Gone2Three]

So it seems that I've been shifting too soon, thought so... Had tried to follow the upshift recommended speeds in the OM : forth to fifth at 45, fifth to sixth at 55 but it seemed the engine was revving to high. I asked the salesman and the response was what ever sounds right to you. Guessing that's not sound advice. Now with this out the way, what does non intended lugging do to my motor? It's only been a difference of 5 mph on the upshift ( forth to fifth at 50)...Thanks everyone for helping me out

[graygoat]

I usually upshift around 3000, if I am "playing" or on an onramp, I will run up to about 4000. So, I agree, your shift points are a little low.
If the road is fairly smooth and flat, I like to cruise in 6th around 2500 - 2600 @ 60 mph or a little over (55 mph posted). 2 up, rougher road, hilly and I leave it in 5th.

[rhino 2]

I never use 6th gear..........I think it a waste of........oh wait a minute....I don't have a 6th gear......

I'll bet every now and then you go try to up-shift into 6Th...
I know sometimes with my Tri... I will try to hit 7th.....

[Gone2Three]

I shift into 6th once I am going 65 or faster. I like to keep the RPMs above 2600 on the twin cam. Anything below 2500 or 2600 rpms and you are lugging the engine. You are shifting into 6th gear too early. Besides not lugging the engine you will get better acceleration response and better gas mileage. Continually lugging the engine will seriously shorten the engine life. The owners manual that came with the bike has shifting points in it as a guideline.

Sunman

What does non intended lugging do to my motor? It's only been a difference of 5 mph on the upshift ( forth to fifth at 50, fifth to 6th 60)...Thanks everyone for helping me out!

[G.W. Viper]

I'll bet every now and then you go try to up-shift into 6Th...
I know sometimes with my Tri... I will try to hit 7th.....

How did you know !

[frostbite51]

According to the 2015 owner's book -
Shift up:
1 to 2 - 15
2 to 3 - 25
3 to 4 - 35
4 to 5 - 45
5 to 6 - 55

Myself, I add 5 MPH to those numbers...

[Jack Klarich]

I never use 6th gear..........I think it a waste of........oh wait a minute....I don't have a 6th gear......

With the M8 I can shift to 6th @ 48mph, no lugging as long as I am @ 2k RPM

[Sunman]

What does non intended lugging do to my motor? It's only been a difference of 5 mph on the upshift ( forth to fifth at 50, fifth to 6th 60)...Thanks everyone for helping me out!

One problem with lugging the motor is that it is hard on the connecting rod bearings and crankshaft bearings as well as other issues. It is not a good idea. I usually run up to about 3,000 rpms before shifting and when running down the road I like to keep the rpms 2,600 to 2,700 or above. The shift points in the owners manual are a little low IMO.

Sunman

[desertclassic]

Riding on flat land, it is easy to shift to early. I force myself to listen to the engine and shift when I feel it is time. Jim

[Gone2Three]

Riding on flat land, it is easy to shift to early. I force myself to listen to the engine and shift when I feel it is time. Jim

Usually like to stay about 2600 to 3k rpm. Motor runs real strong in this range. So for 6th gear that is above 65 mph normally.


Rax

6th gear = 60 mph...sometimes if on "flat land" 55 mph. Love my 6th gear!

Thanks to everyone for the feedback, just rode to work and now back home. Took into advisement and tried following some of the recommended shift points. I know this sounds crazy but the bike was vibrating at the higher rpms in the band recommend, felt it all the way through the bike down to the foot rest's. It's going to take some time to get used to.

Kept it in fifth since I was doing under 55mph.

Felt like i was riding a big bumblebee

[consitter]

I'll bet every now and then you go try to up-shift into 6Th...
I know sometimes with my Tri... I will try to hit 7th.....

Been there...done that.

[GARYD]

I only look at the tach when I shift, usually around 2600~2900 rpm's.
Never used the speedometer as an indicator.

Sometimes like frostbite51 said = by sound/feel.

My dealer's old shop manager told me never use 6th under 55mph - it doesn't seem like it, but you are lugging the engine below that.

[rhino 2]

Theres Lugging and then theres ''Lugging'' You can ride all day at 15 to 19 hundred RPM'S In 4Th or 5Th gear at 30 to 40 mph and not be lugging the engine... That said if at those RPM's you want to accelerate, As in cracking open the throttle, Then you will be lugging....One shoe doesn't fit all.......If you can't feel it then your not lugging....

To Paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart; I can't explain lugging to you 'But you'll know it when you feel it.....

[GARYD]

Good to know. I know I don't "feel" it at around a steady 50 mph, but downshift anyway because of his recommendation.

But as you say, if you need to accelerate.......