| Author | Message | ||
     Flatheadbill |
Is anyone running a 6 speed in bike? Any issues, problems or ? | ||
| Trojan |
The only person I know who fitted one was quite disappointed after all the expense and work. 6th gear is purely an overdrive gear and it won't give you a 6 speed close ratio box (as I think he expected). In 6th gear the bike was pretty gutless and needed to be changed down to 5th for any acceleration  if you do zillions of miles on flat cornerless roads it might be worth it, but other than that I wouldn't bother. | ||
| Jayvee |
I have one in my Y2K M2, bought it on eBay, for about half of retail, in 2009. I was changing diapers pretty regular then, couldn't get a block of time to concentrate, so had Vallejo H-D (now defunct) install it for me. Around $850-ish? The installer mechanic also bought my 5-speed transmission, that helped on the money. I also changed the clutch spring to the (lighter) Uly one at the same time. I ride on the highway a lot, and before, always looking for the (non-existent) 'next gear'. I worked up lot of spreadsheets on gearing changes; like the Johnson Engineering SportGear, the Euro front 'n back pullies, Baker and BDM 26, 28, 29, 30T pullies, different engine sprocket, every combination I could find. The math worked. And its not just the extra gear, but the Billet Aluminum Trap Door, and the Smooth Shift Drum with the bolt-on detent. These are noticeable too, it shifts way better (almost as good as my old Yamaha.) Way better. Clutch pull much lighter too. The gearing turned out great, I had to commute 28 miles each way, on I-80 (nearly flat, nearly cornerless.) I love the sixth gear! M2, not gutless! I can go 60 to 80 in about well, I don't know, but its plenty fast, a second, second and a half? On the way up the hill on Hiway 4 I love to go zooming by some muscle car or Porshe, whatever, in fifth, and just as I pass them, shift in to sixth and just motor away at 3200 rpm. Do it all the time. I'm always having to watch my speed, they supposedly impound at 100. I hit 90-ish almost every time I ride to work (now only 14 miles each way, 4-lane State highway.) Ran it for about 7 thousand miles so far. Aside from the initial cost, that's my only issue so far, keeping it under a hundred mph. Well worth it to me, I love it. p.s. Sorry forgot to point out, its not a purely overdrive gear, it changes the lower gears ever so slightly, but it turned out they are great changes. MUCH easier to keep a constant 30 or 35 mph in town. Very noticeable. (Message edited by jayvee on August 05, 2013) | ||
| Tll130 |
I've got a odd question not trying to bash you or anything I'm just honestly curious. Why would one need a 6th gear on these bikes they don't have high rev redlines or anything I barely use 5th. To me it seems like a extra gear that would never be used? | ||
| Jayvee |
What can I say? I use it every day. I have an M2 because I like low-rpm power. I learned how to drive on my grampa's Ford tractor, don't know how old it was, but had to start it with a crank in the front. | ||
| Tll130 |
Gotcha that's fine but how low does your rpm drop? In 5th gear at 70 my bike is at 3500-3700 depending on heat and grade of road | ||
| Hootowl |
What does temperature or grade of road have to do with your engine RPM at a given speed in 5th gear? | ||
| Tll130 |
Well if its a 100 deg out because these are air cooled engines you will actually notice your Rpms slowly increase(less cool air getting into the engine) but if its like 70 deg out and your on the highway your engine is loving it your keeping your engine cooler and you are getting it more cool air. And if you are going up a 25pct grade hill your engine is working harder to get that extra power to push you up a hill. Also it matters on the sea level you are at aswell that could also effect it because the higher you go the thinner the air is. I'm sure other people can explain it in a better way but your environment has alot to do with how your bike runs. And something that works in Colorado won't work for me in ny (fuel mapping wise) to keep your engine running at optimal performance. I.E you are traveling on the highway in 5th gear at 3200 rpm on a 0 grade road(flat road) you hit a incline of 20pct(a hill upward) your engine has to work harder to get you up that hill and maintain that same speed. And from a 0 grade road you hit a 20 pct grade hill(going down) your engine doesn't have to work has hard because gravity is pulling your bike down so your engine doesn't have to work as hard To keep that same speed. (Message edited by Tll130 on August 05, 2013) | ||
| Pikeben08 |
You will have a higher throttle angle but your engine speed for a given gear and vehicle speed is always the same. It's a fixed gear ratio. Unless of course you have a torque converter or CVT...or a slipping clutch. | ||
| Hootowl |
If that is happening to you, your clutch must be slipping. Barring that, or your rear tire spinning, your engine and rear tire rotate with a fixed ratio, determined by which gear you have selected. Heat, load, and road grade have zero to do with it. | ||
| Flatheadbill |
Lots to think about. I was planning on the 6 speed and the 26 front pulley. I thought the 26 front might make 6th feel closer. I have the 26 on the way, maybe I'll see how that works by itself before I drop all the $$ on the tranny. Obviously won't drop the rpm but may raise the fun factor. | ||
| Kalali |
I'm still curious about the answer to the question of how much does the RPM drop in sixth gear riding at a steady 70 mph, all else being equal. | ||
| Serialk |
I have the baker 6 on my S1. If I am going faster then 140km then I use 6th. Riding my X1 with the 5speed and a 65 rear and 29 front pulley is great for torque but I miss the 6th gear. Its Pricey but I love the baker 6 for hiway high speed. 140km on the S1 with 29 front pulley and a 61 rear shift to 6th at 3200rpmish... | ||
| Jayvee |
Can't do steady 70 in 6th gear. Its the wrong question. 6th is for steady 80, about the same rpm as steady 70 in 5th. About 32-3300. What's your rpm at 80-85? About 3700-3800. The rpm drop is about 500. If you never go over 70, absolutely, no need for a 6 speed. Maybe its a West-of-The-Mississippi thing? There's a few roads I don't feel safe doing 70. The flow of traffic is 80+, if you're doing 70 you best be in the slow lane, or get tailgated by a Prius. I do avoid these roads when possible, its not a fun use of the bike. Sometimes its just transportation. | ||
| Kalali |
I just picked 70mph for comparison purposes. Here in New Jersey, depending on the time of day, you'll either get rear ended or pushed off the road doing steady 70mph on a major highway. Looks like the answer to my question is 500RPM drop. Thanks. | ||
| Tod662 |
I have had one in my s1 for about 5 years, its been bullet proof so far and wasnt much to drop in. if you do much riding above 65 its nice. it would take some radical sprocket changes to really take advantage of the extra gear except if on the superslab. At 60 im at about 2600 rpms, a little low still use 5th, but at 70ish im rolling at 31-3200, (recently getting 63 mpg across min. ) and have instant acceleration if needed. | ||
| Tll130 |
Ya I ride my x1 at about 80-90 and I ride it daily and I use 4th until about 65-70 but I guess the 6th gear is more of a personal benefit then anything else some people would use it and like it some wouldn't use it and wouldn't like it. The only way I wouldn't ever use it is if I am cruising at 90+ otherwise I wouldn't deem it necessary and I don't ever plan on cruising at that speed | ||
| Harleyelf |
There is a lot more air to overcome at 100 mph than at 75. You need higher revs to be on the proper side of your power band if you want to drive fast. The gearing we have is fine until you think about cruising at "stupid fast" speeds. A sixth gear and the skill to properly hide one's own body profile from the wind can get you in the 150 mph club, but it won't change your quarter-mile time. And it certainly can reduce the noise on a stately cruise if you want to travel with the Ultra Glides. No judgements thrown at those who have and enjoy the six-speed. It's a useful thing but not a necessary one. I do like the idea of 63 mpg. | ||
| Tll130 |
When I cruise at about 65-70 I get around 60 aswell | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
I'm late to to the fray as usual...here goes. I installed a baker 6 in my 1999 S3T last year. I did the install myself in my little homeowner workshop (Garage) with basic tools and had no problems, I got a little scared that I was off track once, but the boys at baker answered the phone and talked me through my own insecurities. I retained the stock primary gears and pulleys giving me a true overdrive in 6th. At an indicated (gps) 80mph, I'm turning 32-3300rpm and 4000 at 90mph. great for highway work, it will pull as slow as 70 but under that 5th gear is the way to go. Many riders fit the higher geared primary for a stock 1:1 ratio in 6th, but a torque advantage all through the cogs. My S3 is a gentleman's express, sport tourer, I like the overdrive. I recently did a 1600 mile 4 day weekend to the Smokies. My highway numbers were running at 80mph when possible and getting 50mpg on average. I hope this helps. Signed, Big Baker Fan | ||
| Foximus |
I've always wanted the over drive. The point of the big displacement twin is to not shift... so why would you want closer ratios. Space them out. Let the motor do the work, not the transmission. I beat the piss out of my bike around town, but I'd love to be more comfortable on 300-400 mile rides. Regardless, I need to address my transmission, as I have a bad case of 1st gear Right Lean Neutral. Shame I had the transmission out last year and didn't think to back cut the dogs... =\ |
