The big news for 2007:

[DrBob]

Originally Posted by texrider

Wouldn't they really mean to say that sixth is a "lower ratio"? Not to start the whole power argument, but, ratio is the numerical reduction. A more highway friendly gearing would be lower, closer to no reduction at all...

Short answer: No.

[texrider]

Short won't do it, sport. Although top gear is a "higher speed" ratio, it is a lower numerical reduction ratio. First gear is a low speed, high numerical ratio arrangement. Low reductions are called "taller gearing", since they reduce input rpm while maintaining or increasing road speed.

For example, transmission ratios for VN2000 as follows;
1st 2.55 to 1
2nd 1.63 to 1
3rd 1.22 to 1
4th 0.94 to 1
5th 0.73 to 1

Note that 4th and 5th are both overdive at the trans, with very low numeric ratios.

Remember your hot rod days, when a 4:88 ring and pinion gear would pull wheelies in your Chevelle. The Coupe de Ville, on the other hand, would cruise at 80 almost idling, with it's 2:70 gear.

Dang! Now I feel like that guy who wants to argue torque vs horsepower all day...

[dcstrng]

Low reductions are called "taller gearing”

I think you have it right – nonetheless the Harley ratio is lower... the writer of that piece is probably a keyboard jockey who doesn’t know a gear from a geranium...

From my dirt track days if we said a “higher-gear” (as in quick-change rear-ends) we meant a lower numerical ratio... for whatever reason “higher-gear” and “higher-ratio” meant the opposite in our country boy lexicon... this writer said “higher-ratio,” but it clear his math doesn’t support that and neither does the HD website...

In any case 6th gear is overdriven...

[Fishpart]

Also 100 hp standard, 6 speed RPM's at 75 are around 3,000.