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Ride is rough at low speeds - better to deal with it or to slip the clutch?
I have a Harley Davidson Sportster Roadster 1200. My issue is that the 1st gear is ridiculously long, and the uneven firing order makes the ride extremely rough at low speeds (<20MPH), so when I'm in a parking lot, or single lane neighborhood, the bike tends to buck and jerk, which doesn't really bother me too much, but it seems rough on the transmission. Is it better to slip and feather the clutch to smooth out the movement, or just deal with the jerking?
It is a 2019 EFI Sporty.
I appreciate the troubleshooting tips, but it's a bit beside the question. All my vehicles do this to some extent from time to time at low-RPM, high load scenarios, but it is especially pronounced on the Harleys (also had a 16 Dyna Fatbob). I can't can't fully engage the clutch in 1st until about 15MPH or so. I feel it's better to slip the clutch to smooth it out, but I'm wondering if this was a consideration for the transmission (i.e. let the engine sort itself out instead of slipping clutch).
7 Answers
- ?Lv 42 months agoFavorite Answer
You are OK to slip the clutch, that is normal. Just don't be abusive. Your Owners Manual has the upshift speed from first at 15 mph and downshift at 10, just be sure to pull in the clutch lever when you are coming to a stop at or before 10 mph.
If you have concerns, take a look at the primary/transmission fluid at the 10k miles service. See if it looks like clutch pad material is in there. Also keep the clutch adjusted, its similar to the Dyna procedure, and everything should be clean with the fluid at the correct level. Formula 1 is fine.
Yours came from the factory set pretty lean so if you have an exhaust or air filter upgrade without the ECM upgrade or a fueler, that could be the issue. If you have jerking on acceleration, be sure the engine is warmed up sufficiently. These Evo engines are cold blooded. I live in the Arizona desert and still have to let the engine warm at least a minute, until I can feel heat from the heads, before riding away.
You also can rev pretty far into the range. Peak torque isn't until 3,500 rpm so you need to be up near that before shifting. Your Roadster has a tach so its easy to monitor until you get used to the engine sound and feel as it approaches its shifting point. I'd leave the sprockets alone.
Source(s): Also went from a Dyna to a Sporty 1200. - Anonymous2 months ago
Fat bobs arent Dynas. A 2019 Sporty is not an Evo. . Evo engines in Sportys ended in 2009.
- oldschoolLv 72 months ago
You could also use a smaller front sprocket (pulley) to decrease the 1st gear ratio. It is not good to load the motor at low RPM's. Slipping the clutch works of course but that accelerates clutch wear. The RPM at top speed will be greater with a smaller front sprocket. The ratio will be the Old/New number of front sprocket teeth.
- Anonymous2 months ago
ask the HD shop mechanics.
- Anonymous2 months ago
It should not buck and jerk at low speeds. Take it to a dealer if it is still under warranty.
- adamLv 52 months ago
you didnt mention the year of your sporty. Carbed or EFI? Shouldnt have any trouble at low speed .. Carbed might need an adjustment. Or maybe your clutch needs to be adjusted.
