How do you upshift? - Page 27 - The Sportster and Buell Motorcycle Forum

Sprtstr1200s · #**261** 8th April 2018

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!

Hold the throttle wide open and toe the lever up. If you do it right, you won't need to use the clutch

Ireeman · #**262** 21st April 2018

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.

spitfirechopper · #**263** 6th July 2018

when it starts bouncing

60Gunner · #**264** 6th July 2018

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.

tigger · #**265** 14th July 2018

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.

Graywolf · #**266** 30th September 2018

It depends if there is 4 or 5 young gals in shorts and tank tops on the side walk waving at me or not.

glbsportster · #**267** 30th September 2018

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.

1HD4CJM1X4K · #**268** 2nd October 2018

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.