Problem with 6th gear

[Rexchaser]

I'm seriously considering the purchase of a 2011 Nomad. However I've read several magazine test reports where they have said that 6th gear is all but useless and that the overall gearing is very poor for an engine that likes to be reved. What is the opinion of those of you who actually own one?

[ringadingh]

If your a high speed interstate rider it would be beneficial to have.

[cactusjack]

I own a bike with a 6 speed transmission, although not a Vulcan. You don't use 6th unless you're cruising at a minimum of 60-65 MPH. Does that make it useless? I don't think so, unless you never ride the interstate.

[markclark57]

I keep reaching for 6th gear . . . and I don't have one. Guess that means I'd use it if it was there. Speed limits in parts of AZ are 75 and my '06 has no problem maintaining 85+. A 6th gear would help drop the RPM and increase mileage. Doesn't sound "useless" to me.

[Top Cat]

I don't have 6th gear as I own a 07 Nomad but I rode a Voyager at the National and at 70 MPH in 6th gear the bike seemed to me like it was lugging. Didn't like it at all.
In 5th gear on the Nomad I am running about 2500 rpm's at 65 MPH.
I do not miss a 6th gear at all.
But I don't ride 85 MPH ether.

[blowndodge]

I always thought a 6th gear on a 16-1700 Vulcan would be mostly useless. If you look at Gadgets page and realize that your only turning 3200rpms at 80, 2450rpms at 60mph on the 1600 Nomad. Asking for higher gearing is........questionable. I rode Dave's 96" Ultra and he has lots more bottom end torque than me and I would imagine Scott's 103 has more still.

After putting a 2 1/2 inch taller truck tire on my Momad 3 years ago I can't have any taller gearing or 5th would be almost usless when packing double packed with gear. the thought of having an even taller 6th gear would be dumb and practically useless..

[recumbentbob]

Old proverb say:
It is better to have a 6th gear and not use it than to not have a 6th gear and need it.............

[mobandy78]

I don't think I'd let that be a bad thing to me. I'd probably do most of my riding in 5th and just always know that I have another gear to hit once I get up on the 4 lane roads. It may not make much since to use it in everyday riding and you would probably never get to 6th in most circumstances. But once you get up to speed on a superslab, it would be nice to have.

[cactusjack]

I always thought a 6th gear on a 16-1700 Vulcan would be mostly useless. If you look at Gadgets page and realize that your only turning 3200rpms at 80, 2450rpms at 60mph on the 1600 Nomad. Asking for higher gearing is........questionable. I rode Dave's 96" Ultra and he has lots more bottom end torque than me and I would imagine Scott's 103 has more still.

After putting a 2 1/2 inch taller truck tire on my Momad 3 years ago I can't have any taller gearing or 5th would be almost usless when packing double packed with gear. the thought of having an even taller 6th gear would be dumb and practically useless..

In 6th gear at 70 MPH, I am turning ~3000 RPM.

Correction: 70 MPH=2500 RPM, at 80 it's turning 3000. Checked it on my way home from work.

[Top Cat]

In 6th gear at 70 MPH, I am turning ~3000 RPM.

If you are turning 3000 RPM at 70 mph in 6th and we are turning 3200rpms at 80, 2450rpms at 60mph on the 1600, why would we need a 6th gear http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/images/icons/icon55.gif

[blowndodge]

Scott when I rode Dave's 96 inch ultra 2700 was 70 and 3k was 80 as well. Are you sure? Him and I CB talk all the time about it on the road. Maybe he'll chime in..

Pulled this off Webbikeworld road test

On the street, that power translates to 50 MPH at only 1,900 RPM in sixth gear. Add about 200 RPM for each 5 MPH and you'll have it just about right -- 55 MPH at 2,100 RPM and you can cruise all day at 60 MPH at a leisurely 2,250 RPM. It can easily lug down to 40 MPH or so in sixth gear and the engine is literally just off idle. Give it some gas and it will smoothly pull right back up again to freeway speeds.
Yet another surprise was the six-speed transmission, complete with the little "6" light that flicks on inside the speedo when the top gear is selected. Does a bike with this much torque and only 2,600 RPM at 70 MPH really need six speeds?

[sacarriker]

Have Vulcan with 6th gear. It is a voyager. I do use the gear but not before 75 mph. In sixth gear at 3000 rpm your running about 90 mph. On long trips I use it even at 65 mph. I would miss it of I didn't have it. I do reach for it quite often. Its pretty strong up hill as well as long as your at 2500 rpm or more. Get crusing and get it in that gear a.d. you can eat up the miles. Wouldn't want to be without it on voyager. Had a 900classic LT and really needed another gear. Didn't buy 2000 because it didn't have sixth gear.

[heath3n]

I have a 2009 Nomad and don't use 6th gear unless I'm going over 70mph for an extended time. Does that mean it's useless? No..like a previous comment. It's better to have it and not need it...than need it and not have it. It's gets used whenever I have to get on the highway for an extended period.

[Jesus Freak]

I live in flat land Oklahoma and do a lot of highway cruising at 65. I use the 6th gear most of the time. Without any hills you can shift into 6th gear and cruise at 65mph at an idle (I personaly like that feature). No stress at all on the bike or the rider....:tup: You do have to be careful not to fall asleep.:yep:
However on my ride in the Colorado Rockies last year I rarely left 5th gear. It just felt like 6th was working the bike heading up those big hills. Of course I did notice that if you get around 80 those hills were no problemo...:wave:

[Pitchinguy]

To answer the OP, I have an 011 Nomad I bought for road trips & cruising so I'm very pleased with the gearing. Whether 6th gear is useless or not is a matter of opinion. Though, not any use around town, it's great for open highway cruising & I'm glad to have it! The lower gears are geared a little low IMO, kinda like my old 5-speed F250, but will get the 850 lb beast from 0-stupid plenty quick! She's got plenty of power for 2-up passing at any speed but not gonna win many races off the line.

If you're looking for a good road bike, you're not gonna beat it's comfort, power or handling for the $$! It's a damn sweet ride, solo or 2 up, on those 10-12 hr days! But, if most of your riding is around town, she's prolly gonna be a little bulky. Kinda got my eyes open for something little smaller to add to the stable for around town, maybe an 800 or something to bob but only as a 2nd scoot. Would I buy it again? Definitely! Regrets? Nope! Test ride one if you can! :tup:

[ray2]

I dont belive or agree with everything I read in a magazine. in 6th gear on my 2010 Nomad rpm is 2400 at indicated 65MPH that would be about 62 MPH on my bike.

I typed in 2100 rpm and not 2400 rpm.

[ToeJam]

I only go in to 6th after 70 mph.

[cactusjack]

Scott when I rode Dave's 96 inch ultra 2700 was 70 and 3k was 80 as well. Are you sure? Him and I CB talk all the time about it on the road. Maybe he'll chime in..

Pulled this off Webbikeworld road test

On the street, that power translates to 50 MPH at only 1,900 RPM in sixth gear. Add about 200 RPM for each 5 MPH and you'll have it just about right -- 55 MPH at 2,100 RPM and you can cruise all day at 60 MPH at a leisurely 2,250 RPM. It can easily lug down to 40 MPH or so in sixth gear and the engine is literally just off idle. Give it some gas and it will smoothly pull right back up again to freeway speeds.
Yet another surprise was the six-speed transmission, complete with the little "6" light that flicks on inside the speedo when the top gear is selected. Does a bike with this much torque and only 2,600 RPM at 70 MPH really need six speeds?

Yeah, I corrected my post.

[blowndodge]

dumb ass!! :tehe::tehe::wave::cheers:

[redjay]

6th gear is a bonus on the 1700's above 60mph.
Below that speed stay in 5th. Trying to pull 6th gear below 2500rpm is lugging the engine.

[Blown32]

2010 Voyager, use 6th all the time.

I end up on the interstate quite often and 6th works great at 75-80. Even find myself shifting into 6th at 65-70 (local 2 lanes mostly 65).

Bike would likely do just fine without it but I'm glad its there.

[Gonzo]

Short answer: Have it and LOVE IT!

Semi-Long answer: Traded up from a VN900. Was always looking for 6th gear at any speed above 65. It does take a little bit to get used to when you need to actually use it. If you try to go much under 60 in 6th, you'll probably feel the lagging feeling, but to me the 6th gear really helps it be a highway machine. Just got back from a 500 mile PGR trip, and I can definitely tell the difference.

[Robert Fox]

6 speed is the only way to go. i had a '01 1600 roadstar before i got my new vaquero and it was only a 5 speed. it was fine around 55-60 mph but above that i felt it really needed 6th gear.

[aldridgekennedy]

I've owned a nomad with 6th gear and now ride a vaquero. Personally i really enjoy it. On the interstate, when i run 70 up, i slip it in 6th and just cruise. I don't feel my engine lugs at all.

What it does is let my engine rpms reduce and mpg goes up.

LIke someone else says, i take every magazine artice on bikes with a grain (no a pound ) of salt and ride what i like.

[Blown32]

LIke someone else says, i take every magazine artice on bikes with a grain (no a pound ) of salt and ride what i like.


Yep, I don't recall the source of the review but one article basically said 5th & 6th were too tall for anything but cross country trips :crazy:

They were also disappointed with the mileage, go figure. On a road trip they got very low 30s out of the test bike. I've only had my Voyager for a short time and have only done about 2000 miles but my worst tank has been 38 (interstate 75-80 with a strong headwind) all the rest have been 40 to 43. I don't do much in town ridding but I bet it would be in the high 30s.

[redjay]

I got 270 kms on my 2010 Voyager before the low fuel warning came on. It was around 240 kms on the 1600 Nomad when the low fuel light came on. I think the gas tanks are the same size, just over 5 gallons ? I use 6th gear at anything over 90 kmph.
I used to go for a 6th gear on the Nomad often not realising I was already in top gear (5th).

[drno]

Matter of opinion is correct and Ill add riding style which is also unique to the rider.
I have a 2009 Nomad and use 6th gear all the time. I love it. On the hiway Ill shift into
6th gear at 50-60mph. Engine dosnt lug. It runs great and still pulls fine to pass.

[sgt940]

Ok, I just finised a 1200 mile 4 day trip from Dallas to the Texas Hill country, rode the 3 twisted sisters and other routes. I have a 1700 nomad, on trip down used 6th a lot on cruise held 70 even on steep hill. In the hill country still used it occassionly when the hand cramped amazing how much it will hold on cruise. I agree with most here better suited for over 65 while cruising but I would not want to do without it. It was HOT over 90 everyday. Fantastic rides if you get to Texas. By the way 3,000 in 6th is about 80 and yes I have the kawaski mini tech. the difference between 5th and 6th is about 300 to 400 RPM. This is my first long trip on my 2012. Love the bike but it is hot had the big Edmonds lowers on and had to take them off and put the factory back on. By the way to my pleasant surprise the big lowers actually improve handling in a strong cross wind but they do just what they say no head buffeting at all and no wind to the rider either. Will love them in the fall

[Skip]

I commute every day on the interstates on my 2009 Nomad. LOVE the 6th gear, especially when setting the cruise control, usually at about 70. This bike naturally wants to run a bit hot, so the 6th gear really relieves stress on the motor at highway speeds. As a bonus, it also seems to quiet the engine a bit and allows me to hear my stereo better.

[bouson]

I'm seriously considering the purchase of a 2011 Nomad. However I've read several magazine test reports where they have said that 6th gear is all but useless and that the overall gearing is very poor for an engine that likes to be reved. What is the opinion of those of you who actually own one?

I just sold a Vulcan 900 Classic that I wished had a 6th. I bought my Vaquero 3 weeks later I find myself riding in town in 6th all the time. Anytime I get to 40 or above and aren't planning to try to accelerate quickly I drop into 6th it's great to be able to roll along at 1200 rpm. I've also tried a quick on ramp acceleration from 20 mph in 2nd shifting at 5000 rpm from 2nd to 3rd & 3rd to 4th at the top of the ramp I was doing 85 mph as I shifted to 4th. I find the gearing on the Vaquero to be very agreeable to riding of all kinds and all the gears useable.

[tazfl]

I don't have the nomad but I do have a 1700 vaquero with the six speed tranny and i can tell you that in my opinion the bike is geared very well. The sixth gear is meant to be a overdrive gear, I'll shift into it at around 75 to 80mph.

[RACNRAY]

On my Vaquero i shift into 6th gear as low as 40 mph, and this is with running a taller rear tire which lowers the overall drive ratio more than stock. With my mods it'll thump along nicely with the cruise control on at just over 40 mph. My skoot has so much torque that is assecible right off idle that it has no problem running nice and smooth. It shudders a little bit if i have to accelerate at 40 mph, if i need to get-up-n-go i'll drop it down to 5th.

RACNRAY

[redjay]

I do not use the 6th gear until I reach 90 kmph.
At 90 kmph I am turning 2000 rpm in 6th and 2400 rpm in 5th.

[landman]

i have found the 6th gear on my vaquero to be usefull here in the wide open spaces of wyoming.below 65 i stay in 5th.

[jestephens]

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