Tach's and sporty's

[Roosterman]

I just was looking thru the owners manual for my 2008 1200C and found a chart for shifting based on RPM and another for speed. They say to shift from 1 to 2 at 15 MPH. 2 to 3 at 25 MPH. 3 to 4 at 35 MPH. 4 to 5 at 45 MPH. My personal guide is on the 10's. Go to second at 20, 3rd at 30, 4th at 40 and 5th at 50. In fact if I'm not going to stay above these speeds, I won't up shift. I find the bike is not very responsive when throttling up if I'm right at 20, 30, 40... if I have up shifted. It actually seems to make the bike rumble when accelerating. When I'm at say 35 and accelerate, it is great. But at 30, not so good. Like I said, it kind of rumbles.

I've read some of the regulars on this forum talk about RPM, shifting and certain speeds. My 2008 1200C didn't come with a tach. Did older models or some other models come with a tach? If not, I assume you added an after market one. Did you use an HD tach or are there other brands that are recommended?

Do most of you shift by feel, or do you know the RPM and base the shift off that? Is this "rumble" I feel just the usual for a 1200 sporty? I've only had mine since mid September and have put about 450 miles on it, so I don't have much frame of reference on what is normal or expected.

Any info would be appreciated.

[DUALLS]

I shift by feel.

[vlade]

I'd suspect the "rumble" is actually "lugging" if I read correctly The tach is usually just reference and verification not a thing you would look at for virtualy every shift.

[MG 2936]

I shift by the tach. I have an 07 883. You don't do this in built up areas but otherwise I shift between 4000-5000 Rpms. I think people with loud exhaust tend to shift sooner just to keep the noise down. I have the stock system on mine so no problem. I bought a standard Harley tach set up from Chicago Harley, they give a 20% discount.

[scol]

I think those are brake in speeds, I push past those.
Lugging is bad for engine.

[Roosterman]

Originally Posted by vlade

I'd suspect the "rumble" is actually "lugging" if I read correctly The tach is usually just reference and verification not a thing you would look at for virtualy every shift.

That has been my feeling too. I really don't want to lug the engine. That's why I haven't been up shifting until I know I will be cruising above the 30, 40, 50 MPH marks.

[Osco]

2008 XL1200R with Tach,,,Eyes up always,,When shifting just make shure when you go into the next gear and throttle up there is Good Torque and the speed climbs smoothly,,I would assume any sound other than a normal acceleration sound would be lugging or close to it,putting an extra strain on the crank,,could,,possibly shorten engine life....My 2 cents worth,,Im new to Harleys and lovin it.
Come on Old timers,,,tell me how Im doing ?

[gsilander]

You'll get used to the feel of it. I don't have a tach and don't need one. Don't let it lug and don't over rev and you'll be fine.

[SonnyD]

I have a tach on my 2000 Sportster Sport. I tell you what
if I shifted to 5th gear at 50mph, it would be lugging like
crazy. It sounds absolutely horrible. 40mph up a 20 degree
hill in 4th ghear it sounds like it will come apart! I don't shift
to 4th untill atleast 50mph and then only on the flat. 50
in 3rd gear for me is only about 3500rpm and the bike is real
happy in that range. Maybe mine is geared differently? It
seems pretty long legged. It's geared completely stock. I was
out at the local park today cruising around it. The speed limit
there is 25mph. I rode around it in 2nd gear and when I dropped
down to 20 a couple of time, the bike would jerk and shuffle,
definitely lugging.
I don't use my tach much, just a glance every once in a while.
I might be happier if it didn't have one!
Regards Sonny

[vlade]

I find the owners manual specs rather timid. On Harleys it dosnt pay to wring out every last RPM out of the engine before shifting either like on a two stroke.
Any performance work you have will alter your shift points also.