RPM while cruising at 80mph

[DodahMan]

Look, this is just my experience. On my last 1000 mile ride out west, we rode long stretches in the middle of nowhere and ran 80 - 90 for hours at a time. That sixth speed made it more comfortable. Bike was a Road King but just too physically small. Half the time I was sitting on the passenger pillon.
I still may make a move on a tour model because the only real way to know is to buy and ride taking time to evaluate. Only rode the rocket twice and really saw no difference between the tour model and regular one.

 

[DodahMan]

I owned 2 late model Road Glides and can tell you the rpms are pretty much the same as the rocket at the speeds you mentioned.. What is diferent is the Harley has a rubber mounted engine, floorboards, and handlebars. Also surprising is 6th gear on a Harley is a 1:1 ratio and 5th gear on the rocket actual overdriven!

Ive owned 2 Road Glides. I can tell you by putting around 70,000 miles between the two of them that the rpm at 70-80 is quite close to the Rocket (I have 2 Roadsters). But I agree that the rubber mounted engine, rubber isolated floorboards and handlebars make it arguably a smoother tourer, altho I confess ive never ridden the Rocket Tourer.

6th gear on a Harley Touring has a gear ratio of 1 to 1 in 6th gear, the Rocket in 5th is actual greater than 1;1(overdriven). Im sure like every engineered machine, what you buy is a compromise.

Thanks for posting. I want to learn more. I traveled to south FL last year intending to a RIII tour but backed off after checking the bike. Really was not the bike I had hoped it was.

You are now an enthusiastic "rocket man" and having ridden many a mile on Harley's, what's your opinion on long hauls?

 

[warp9.9]

Look, this is just my experience. On my last 1000 mile ride out west, we rode long stretches in the middle of nowhere and ran 80 - 90 for hours at a time. That sixth speed made it more comfortable. Bike was a Road King but just too physically small. Half the time I was sitting on the passenger pillon.
I still may make a move on a tour model because the only real way to know is to buy and ride taking time to evaluate. Only rode the rocket twice and really saw no difference between the tour model and regular one.

It was probably the Harley speedo! You only thought you were doing 80 mph humor goes a long way

 

[rocketjohn]

A Harley speedo GOES to 80????????

 

[barbagris]

A Harley speedo GOES to 80????????

Yes - but can the needle?

 

[albertaduke]

Patrick, sorry to hear the trans gremlin has followed you. Not really sure what's going on with the later roadster transmissions. They seem to end up with bent shift forks from what I'm reading. Not sure if they're getting knackered during assembly by some ham handed limey() or what. As you may know I had my gears backcut and the shaft grooves widened to accept heavy duty circlips. That should take most of the side loading off the shift forks and circlips. I'm reluctant to advice anyone else of doing this until I have some long term data. There has been talk of removing the surface hardening when backcutting. Whether this shortens the life span of the gears is yet to be seen. When you say knocking, does it feel like the gears are going in and out of mesh ? Like the side engagement dogs are slipping past each other ?

side engagement going in and out yes I would assume this to be as close as I can figure out from the feeling in the footpegs also a circlip I presumed to be between 4th and 5th in the first repair was scored badly which meant probably some damages between the 2 gears
I checked robinson transmission and they sell a better( stronger) 4th gear for $356 and they do back cutting as well they know their stuff as they build dragster tranny's when my wrench comes back from his vacation I will get him to do the surgery. this is not what should a strong gearbox should be in the first place but I like my bike enough that I will spend $$$ to get it fixed will keep you informed of the results when it is done

 

[joesoap]

Personally speaking i think Triumph got it spot on with regards to 80mph/3000rpm...when ime at those sorta speeds my motor is right in the sweet zone and if i need to pass then just a quick snatch on the throttle and ime this side of a ton in a nano second without playing with gears...perfect i say

 

[scot in exile]

You should install a tach on your Touring. First thing I did to mine and really great to drive with. Tach and speedo put together and you can tell which gear your in.

You can tell by the seat of your pants, sound of engine etc what gear you are in I hate the gear indicator on my Roadster if I knew how to make it go away I would.

 

[Jvheli]

Thanks for posting. I want to learn more. I traveled to south FL last year intending to a RIII tour but backed off after checking the bike. Really was not the bike I had hoped it was.

You are now an enthusiastic "rocket man" and having ridden many a mile on Harley's, what's your opinion on long hauls?

Well, I tour every year, and I miss the cruise control for sure! But for me, I just could (and have) ridden my Roadster all day. My personal record is 850 miles in one day!

Im not a Harley hater! I think they all offer something, just a matter of taste really. Honestly if I hadnt bought my wife a Roadster, id never have known what a special bike the Triumph is! I liked it so much I got one for me too!

 

[warp9.9]

You can tell by the seat of your pants, sound of engine etc what gear you are in I hate the gear indicator on my Roadster if I knew how to make it go away I would.

Black electricians tape !!!!!