Shifting

[Softail CASAbabe]

Hi! Ok don't laugh.. I have a 2002 Fatboy and I do not have a tachometer on it. I thought I have been shifting just fine. But when I took my bike in to have a little work done on it, the mechanic said that these kind of bikes like to run high rpms. He asked when I was shifting I told him about.. 1st gear 15 or 20mph, 2nd gear 30 or 35mph, 3rd gear 40 to 45mph, 4th gear 60 to 65mph.

He thinks I should be shifting like around 70mph into 4th gear. My bike already feels like it needs another gear, I just don't know.

What do you guys think??

Thank you so much!

[Jack Klarich]

Welcome to Trike Talk, first off Harley engines are NOT high revving engines by any means

That said, stretching out your shifting will give you a better ride, less fuel economy

You do not want to lug the engine, so shifting into 5th gear @ 60- to 65 should be OK, if you want to ring it out to 70 that will be OK also, less chance of lugging, enjoy your ride

If you have the money you could add a 6th gear set to lower your top end rpm cruising

[rhino 2]

Hi! Ok don't laugh.. I have a 2002 Fatboy and I do not have a tachometer on it. I thought I have been shifting just fine. But when I took my bike in to have a little work done on it, the mechanic said that these kind of bikes like to run high rpms. He asked when I was shifting I told him about.. 1st gear 15 or 20mph, 2nd gear 30 or 35mph, 3rd gear 40 to 45mph, 4th gear 60 to 65mph.

He thinks I should be shifting like around 70mph into 4th gear. My bike already feels like it needs another gear, I just don't know.

What do you guys think??

Thank you so much!

Hi revving engine....Holding 3rd gear till 70mph.....Is your mechanic a teenager?..

And likes to hear a Harley engine scream....For not a lot of money have a Tachometer installed and any shift at 3 or a little over will be right....

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Hi! Ok don't laugh.. I have a 2002 Fatboy and I do not have a tachometer on it. I thought I have been shifting just fine. But when I took my bike in to have a little work done on it, the mechanic said that these kind of bikes like to run high rpms. He asked when I was shifting I told him about.. 1st gear 15 or 20mph, 2nd gear 30 or 35mph, 3rd gear 40 to 45mph, 4th gear 60 to 65mph.

He thinks I should be shifting like around 70mph into 4th gear. My bike already feels like it needs another gear, I just don't know.

What do you guys think??

Thank you so much!

Hi revving engine....Holding 3rd gear till 70mph.....Is your mechanic a teenager?..

And likes to hear a Harley engine scream....For not a lot of money have a Tachometer installed and any shift at 3K or a little over will be right....

[ultrafxr]

Ramona the tech is FOS. As stated Harleys are not high revving engines. You're doing just fine. IMO you're better off taking ANYTHING a dealership employee tells you with a BIG grain of salt. For some reason they all seem to be infected with incurable dumb azz.

This is what I love about various motorcycle forums - you can get unbiased opinions and then come to your own conclusion.

[Softail CASAbabe]

I looked back and didn't see where the shifting into 3rd at 70 was but I really do appreciate the comments and I do plan on taking it in hopefully this week and get a tach put on. I would feel better with it on. This whole time I thought I was listening to the bike, but I will take it in to the dealer next time!

Thank you again for all your comments!

[rhino 2]

I looked back and didn't see where the shifting into 3rd at 70 was but I really do appreciate the comments and I do plan on taking it in hopefully this week and get a tach put on. I would feel better with it on. This whole time I thought I was listening to the bike, but I will take it in to the dealer next time!

Thank you again for all your comments!

Re-phrasing,;;; Holding it in 3rd all the way to 70 MPH' And Then shifting to 4th...