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Last Post: Graywolf
Posted On: 3 Hours Ago
Replies: 4,791
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View Poll Results: How do you upshift?
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By sound only
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749 |
75.20% |
By speedo and/or tachometer
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121 |
12.15% |
Other method
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126 |
12.65% |

8th April 2018
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Space Coast
Posts: 710 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster XL1200s Sportster/Buell Year: 1999
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jrod5bz
Newbie question - going on a year in the seat on my '05 1200 C (no tachometer) and was wondering how the more experienced handle this... upon entering the highway with little or no traffic, how do you upshift and about what speed do you shift from 4th to 5th?
Thanks for the assists!
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Hold the throttle wide open and toe the lever up. If you do it right, you won't need to use the clutch
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21st April 2018
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Asgardian
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Deck of Me boat
Posts: 7,805 Sportster/Buell Model: 883r Sportster/Buell Year: 2003 Other Motorcycle Model: Watkins 27 Other Motorcycle Year: abov
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Depends on the ride really.
If lazy as I am inclined....snick up no clutch and brush the clutch on the way down.
If feeling the road needs a lesson in Iree idolatry, well....clutch is a getting a work out, up and down....slipping and a grippin.
__________________
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6th July 2018
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Biker
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 56 Sportster/Buell Model: ironhead xlx Sportster/Buell Year: 1983 Sportster/Buell Model #2: 1200 custom Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2005
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when it starts bouncing 
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6th July 2018
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Chief Opinion Expert
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: United States
Posts: 568 Sportster/Buell Model: 1200C Sportster/Buell Year: 05
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I don't hit 5th til at least 65 and clutches are for taking off and people who don't know how to shift.
As a truck driver, knowing how to float gears is part of the job or my left knee would be shot.
__________________
05 1200C w/custom timing map 'VooDoo'
Dragtron II/K&N filter/Cycle Shack pipes/HP+baffles
45/175/N65C shimmed .040/ICM 1-3/4 turns
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14th July 2018
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Flat Track Champion
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 619 Sportster/Buell Model: 100th Anniv. XLH Hugger Sportster/Buell Year: 03 Other Motorcycle Model: Honda CB750F Super Sport Other Motorcycle Year: 1976
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1 up 4 down.
i have to remember it's 1 down 4 up every time i ride another bike.
other than that i shift when the bike 'feels' like it wants to go to the next gear. i dunno how to phrase it other than that.
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30th September 2018
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XL FORUM LIFE MEMBER
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Shack in Florida swamp
Posts: 2,136 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH 1200 Sportster/Buell Year: 1998 Sportster/Buell Model #2: XL 883/1200 conversion Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2001 Other Motorcycle Model: 2nd 01 XLC Other Motorcycle Year: 2001
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It depends if there is 4 or 5 young gals in shorts and tank tops on the side walk waving at me or not.
__________________
Graywolf
I used to be sane, but I am better now.
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30th September 2018
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Know It All
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Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Private Gated, Golf Comunity
Posts: 173 Sportster/Buell Model: 1200 C Sportster/Buell Year: 2009
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Shift, shift away
After 60 years of riding motorcycles I find out I don't know how to shift gears....Well, I just change the oil and filter every 1,500, burn Chevron premium and have had no problems with clutch, transmission and engine, so I will continue to use my old method I am used to. I shift between 2500 and 3000 RPMs....all this seems to work fine for me....but whatever works for you continue on.
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2nd October 2018
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Greasemonkey
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Beach
Posts: 121 Sportster/Buell Model: XL883C Sportster/Buell Year: 2004
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Although Jrod5bz asked this question about 12 years ago, this is my general rule of thumb.
On an easy ride:
20 means 2nd gear
30 means 3rd
40 means 4th
55 means 5th
As the moment calls for it:
at 30 shift to 2nd
at 40 shift to 3rd
at 50 shift to 4th
at 70 shift to 5th
I tend to ride conservatively and my Sportster is geared as an 883.
4,500 rpm is generally my red line..
5,200 RPM would be racing and I am too slow for any of that kinda torque.
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