What are your preferred shifting speeds?

jtascone · 08-17-2015, 08:46 PM

Coming from a Honda ACE Tourer, which seems to like shifting at lower rpm's in the lower gears, it's taking some getting used to exactly when to shift my 1500 Nomad without a tach. I've found that I am shifting 1st to 2nd at 20mph, 2nd to 3rd at 38mph, 3rd to 4th at 50mph, and 4th to 5th at 65mph. Just wondering what speeds you all find yourself shifting at with your Nomads.

Especially curious as to what gear you choose when cruising at 60mph. For me, I have found myself usually preferring 4th gear for most of my back road twisties at 60mph, but find myself wanting to shift into 5th for the lower rpm's on straight flat ground. Am I lugging the engine too much by running in 5th gear at 60mph? Thanks. Have really found a wealth of info on this sight so far which has really helped speed up the process of learning the ins and outs of this new ride.

Bud2rat · 08-17-2015, 09:19 PM

I have a 2001 model and your shift points are very similiar to my shift points. It's hard for me to keep mine down at 55-60 mph. I generally run 8-10 mph over the posted speed limit on the main roads. I keep it down while in towns.

Sin City Stan · 08-17-2015, 10:12 PM

Shift points will vary depending on the diameter of the rear tire and what type of engine mods have been done. They are not set in stone.

jtascone · 08-17-2015, 10:27 PM

Stock rear tire, stock engine everything, V&H Dual baggers.

Navigator · 08-18-2015, 01:08 AM

I mostly do it by sound and feel which I don't really like having to do on my 07 Nomad and my 02 HD Super Glide. That why I'll be getting a tach for both of them. I just haven't found the right ones yet.

I just rode a friend's 2011 Screamin' Eagle CVO Street Glide to and in and around Sturgis and really monitored the tach.

hammer · 08-18-2015, 01:23 AM

I had a tach that started to fail so I took it off and may not replace it. After a while, you get to know and feel the bike and where the shift points are.
60-65mph for me is the hardest spot. It does not hurt the bike to keep the revs up so when in doubt, I rev it out.

**MAS Tequila** · 08-18-2015, 07:01 AM

What conditions, a leisurely cruise or tearing it up?

Around town I usually shift early to keep the rpm's and noise down.

MT

hammer · 08-18-2015, 11:13 AM

I don't think my bike is considered noisy so around town I still keep the revs up. In the twistys revs up. Low and slow on secondary roads it is sometimes difficult to avoid lugging in that 55 to 60 range but still default to 4th gear. My gas mileage is good so I prefer not to lug the bike at any time.

Vulcan Bill · 08-18-2015, 01:49 PM

I shift by engine sound and driving conditions. Liston to your exhaust note. It will tell when it's time to shift.

VulcanE · 08-18-2015, 03:44 PM

What the others have said.................. and also when you shift, do it quick and deliberate, and the shifts will be smoother.

OldSchool · 08-18-2015, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan Bill

I shift by engine sound and driving conditions. Liston to your exhaust note. It will tell when it's time to shift.

When I was younger, I knew a guy who could fine tune a bike engine strictly by listening to the exhaust. I always thought he was using some kind of voodoo to do it. But then one day " took a long time", My ears tuned to the exhaust. It's amazing what you can tell about the way that bike is running by listening to the exhaust. Those exhaust pipes actually "hum" when they are happy. Some good advice VB.

duffy · 08-18-2015, 05:51 PM

My shift points (1500 Classic FI) are quite similar to yours, maybe just a tad lower. When I'm playing the shift points are about 4500 RPM. I don't believe I've ever found the rev limiter.

knobber · 08-18-2015, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtascone

Coming from a Honda ACE Tourer, which seems to like shifting at lower rpm's in the lower gears, it's taking some getting used to exactly when to shift my 1500 Nomad without a tach. I've found that I am shifting 1st to 2nd at 20mph, 2nd to 3rd at 38mph, 3rd to 4th at 50mph, and 4th to 5th at 65mph. Just wondering what speeds you all find yourself shifting at with your Nomads.

Especially curious as to what gear you choose when cruising at 60mph. For me, I have found myself usually preferring 4th gear for most of my back road twisties at 60mph, but find myself wanting to shift into 5th for the lower rpm's on straight flat ground. Am I lugging the engine too much by running in 5th gear at 60mph? Thanks. Have really found a wealth of info on this sight so far which has really helped speed up the process of learning the ins and outs of this new ride.

I don't know about speeds but just like an old KZ that I had, my Nomad like to be shifted at higher rpm's. Seems if I shift a low r's I get that heavy "CLUNK"!!

rolfe · 08-18-2015, 09:29 PM

I think we all become the Bike on the road conditions. There is no set parameter for me as "RED" not a racing bike.

Loafer · 08-19-2015, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duffy

My shift points (1500 Classic FI) are quite similar to yours, maybe just a tad lower. When I'm playing the shift points are about 4500 RPM. I don't believe I've ever found the rev limiter.

I found the limiter at (indicated) 108 mph in 5th gear.

08-17-2015, 08:46 PM	#1
jtascone Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 282	What are your preferred shifting speeds? Coming from a Honda ACE Tourer, which seems to like shifting at lower rpm's in the lower gears, it's taking some getting used to exactly when to shift my 1500 Nomad without a tach. I've found that I am shifting 1st to 2nd at 20mph, 2nd to 3rd at 38mph, 3rd to 4th at 50mph, and 4th to 5th at 65mph. Just wondering what speeds you all find yourself shifting at with your Nomads. Especially curious as to what gear you choose when cruising at 60mph. For me, I have found myself usually preferring 4th gear for most of my back road twisties at 60mph, but find myself wanting to shift into 5th for the lower rpm's on straight flat ground. Am I lugging the engine too much by running in 5th gear at 60mph? Thanks. Have really found a wealth of info on this sight so far which has really helped speed up the process of learning the ins and outs of this new ride. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-17-2015, 09:19 PM	#2
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	I have a 2001 model and your shift points are very similiar to my shift points. It's hard for me to keep mine down at 55-60 mph. I generally run 8-10 mph over the posted speed limit on the main roads. I keep it down while in towns. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga
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08-17-2015, 10:12 PM	#3
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	Shift points will vary depending on the diameter of the rear tire and what type of engine mods have been done. They are not set in stone. __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
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08-18-2015, 01:08 AM	#5
Navigator Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Banner, WA Posts: 644	I mostly do it by sound and feel which I don't really like having to do on my 07 Nomad and my 02 HD Super Glide. That why I'll be getting a tach for both of them. I just haven't found the right ones yet. I just rode a friend's 2011 Screamin' Eagle CVO Street Glide to and in and around Sturgis and really monitored the tach. __________________ Mike USN Retired 2007 Nomad Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-18-2015, 01:23 AM	#6
hammer Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,329	I had a tach that started to fail so I took it off and may not replace it. After a while, you get to know and feel the bike and where the shift points are. 60-65mph for me is the hardest spot. It does not hurt the bike to keep the revs up so when in doubt, I rev it out. __________________ Hammer aka CrocHammer KawaNow#00988, VROC#26389, VR#2202 Abbotsford, BC, Canada 2006 Black Nomad
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08-17-2015, 10:27 PM	#4
jtascone Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 282	Stock rear tire, stock engine everything, V&H Dual baggers.
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08-18-2015, 07:01 AM	#7
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	What conditions, a leisurely cruise or tearing it up? Around town I usually shift early to keep the rpm's and noise down. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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08-18-2015, 11:13 AM	#8
hammer Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,329	I don't think my bike is considered noisy so around town I still keep the revs up. In the twistys revs up. Low and slow on secondary roads it is sometimes difficult to avoid lugging in that 55 to 60 range but still default to 4th gear. My gas mileage is good so I prefer not to lug the bike at any time. __________________ Hammer aka CrocHammer KawaNow#00988, VROC#26389, VR#2202 Abbotsford, BC, Canada 2006 Black Nomad
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08-18-2015, 01:49 PM	#9
Vulcan Bill Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 1,400	I shift by engine sound and driving conditions. Liston to your exhaust note. It will tell when it's time to shift. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- '05 1600CL. Originator 18" Harley wheel mod, Dobeck TFI, True Duals, Mutazu hardbags, Flanders handlebars n' a bunch more. *Sometimes I miss the good ol' days but most times I'm just glad I survived them*
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08-18-2015, 03:44 PM	#10
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	What the others have said.................. and also when you shift, do it quick and deliberate, and the shifts will be smoother. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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08-18-2015, 05:51 PM	#12
duffy Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hot Springs, SD and other warm and dry places Posts: 1,043	My shift points (1500 Classic FI) are quite similar to yours, maybe just a tad lower. When I'm playing the shift points are about 4500 RPM. I don't believe I've ever found the rev limiter.
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08-18-2015, 09:29 PM	#14
rolfe Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Lake Travis, Texas Posts: 518	I think we all become the Bike on the road conditions. There is no set parameter for me as "RED" not a racing bike.
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