[Green Bean]

I'm still trying to find a manual for my bike that I just purchased last week, but I have a question that has more to do with riding style than bike maintenance.

What is the minimum speed for using 2nd gear? I know that I shouldn't ride the bike hard in this gear but does that mean not to use it just to get the engine RPM's down while just touring around town?

So far, it feels like, if I'm doing above 45 mph (again...just rolling down the street and not riding hard), that 2nd gear reduces the engine RPM's down to a comfortable easy ride. Staying in 1st gear and just maintaining speed at 45 mph and above really seems to rev the engine taking away gas mileage and producing more engine heat.

I've been told that 2nd gear is nothing more than an overdrive gear to be used for highway speeds and nothing else. Also, 2nd gear is not meant to be used under excessive engine loads. Does this mean that it's not to be used regularly for easy touring?

Thanks guys.

 

[EastnMike]

Ricky,
I use the 45 MPH as a rule of thumb on my 2002...If I am crusing normally, I change into second (OD) at 45 or 50 MPH. I down shift if I slow below 40 or 45. If I am preparing to pass another vehicle, and I they are running (for instance) 50 or 55, I will downshift to first, and also to feel the adrenialian rush :lol: before I pass an then nail it. If the vehicle to pass is running say...65 or above, it just doesn't feel right to me to downshift to such high RPM's, so I stay in OD and try to increase my speed without putting extra strain on the tranny. As you know, even in OD, there is never a problem passing a vehicle quickly. I have heard that at 80 MPH or above, it doesn't hurt the tranny to open it up all the way. I hope this helps a little bit, Ricky. I am sure many more people with MUCH more experience can tell you more than I can.

 

[Boss Man]

Rick,
Lots of opinions on this one. The Factory recommends 50 MPH (I think), but I agree with Mike, except that I myself usually will shift to Overdrive when at 35-40 MPH, as long as I'm taking it easy, and the road is basically flat, and downshift at 35. If there is an uphill grade, I always downshift to keep the load off the OD. I also have found that the engine will run cooler and quieter when in OD. The thing to remember is OD is meant to be used for cruising. It lowers the engine RPM and gives better MPG at highway speeds. Definitely NOT made for "hammering" on!!
Basically, if you want that tranny to last, just use common sense. Ya want to feel those secondaries....(unless you're already doing 120 MPH :twisted: ) use 1st!! My 2 cents.

:capwin:

 

[Zenbiker]

I have no problem at 35 MPH in OD if on a flat road or downhill. When accelerating normally I'll go into OD between 50-60 but I won't hammer it in OD below 75 or so. The exact numbers aren't as important as bearing in mind the idea of keeping heavy loads off the OD....Joe

 

[Busa Dave]

Ricky,

Remember what we discussed—esp in the big block the overdrive is for highway driving at over 55 but with that being said I go into 2nd at 45 when I was on a long FLAT stretch that did not require much over idle throttle. Another thing to remember esp with a big block and this is from Jim Calloway at Nessco the transmission pumps more fluid at the higher rpm’s especially when the tq converter is locked up so what does this tell you? The more fluid that is pumped the cooler the transmission stays as well as puts less stress (load) on the transmission.

I have been informed that problems have been experienced just because people “feel” like the transmission needs to be shifted when in fact it is just the opposite. Case in point when my output shaft that was twisted was replaced the rest of the tranny looked great including the clutch friction material which looked new! The transmission only had about 1k miles since the HD components and new stator was installed so it should have looked new but a few incorrect shifts will wear the material at a very accelerated rate!

The moral here is Never play except in 1st—even if I twist the throttle at 90 :cop2: I am in 1st!!.

 

[Green Bean]

Ricky,

Remember what we discussed—esp in the big block the overdrive is for highway driving at over 55 but with that being said I go into 2nd at 45 when I was on a long FLAT stretch that did not require much over idle throttle. Another thing to remember esp with a big block and this is from Jim Calloway at Nessco the transmission pumps more fluid at the higher rpm’s especially when the tq converter is locked up so what does this tell you? The more fluid that is pumped the cooler the transmission stays as well as puts less stress (load) on the transmission.

I have been informed that problems have been experienced just because people “feel” like the transmission needs to be shifted when in fact it is just the opposite. Case in point when my output shaft that was twisted was replaced the rest of the tranny looked great including the clutch friction material which looked new! The transmission only had about 1k miles since the HD components and new stator was installed so it should have looked new but a few incorrect shifts will wear the material at a very accelerated rate!

The moral here is Never play except in 1st—even if I twist the throttle at 90 :cop2: I am in 1st!!.

So does this mean that it's bad for the trany to open it up in O.D. even if your doing 80 or above? I haven't droped from O.D. to first while doing that speed yet. Seems like it would yank the crap out of the bike.

 

[Busa Dave]

I never play in OD! I always drop it back because even at 80 you still have a lot of RPM left--can't remenber how much but you should be good to 125 or 130. Might get a tach and watch it but to accelerate in OD is ok esp at 80 but to hammer it is not really the best thing to do. I have discussed this at length with Jim Calloway at Nessco and those were his thoughts. What you want is the TQ Converter to be locked up as well! You are putting a lot of power thru the tranny and the big block is a completely different matter than the small motors.

Call me to discuss in detail.