Have enjoyed riding my new ( first ) HD for a month or so now and still find myself changing gears like I was riding my 'old bike' ( a reasonably well worked XR 650 ) ... too bloody quick ?

Can't stop myself, but think ( ? ) I'm getting a tad better.

Just listened to a Cruiser moving through my neighbourhood and admired how he / she was shifting the gears ... NICE AND SLOW,  like just about everyone else, but me !

Am I the only one who has striuggled with the transition from a 'sports' bike to a Cruiser, re: gear changing ?

 

have you concidered the posability that you change gears the correct way and the "other" person is not

why do you think you have to do the same as everyone else

"We are all inderviduals"............. "I'm not"

Well ...
I don't drink !
( Cross my heart and hope I don't get smitten. )

When I got my first Harley I did think it was extremely slow and chunky with the gear changes, as I came from sports bikes as well. After a while it gets normal and you get used to it. I recently rode a sports bike and thought it was weird how quiet and easy it was to change gears, almost was hard to tel if I changed gears

Yeah Speedy, I'm still making the transition from sports bike riding to HD riding. I'm enjoying the 'slow' cruising aspect, as well as the twisties where I'm concentrating on smoothness in and out compared to the old sports days of scream, brake, gears, scream ... If you know what I mean (that's the bike screaming, not me). I was very pleasantly surprised how well the Fat Bob goes when you get the smoothness right -- absolute rocket.

I'd be interested in hearing from people that have been riding HD's for years what works for them.

You are over thinking it. Just ride

So I'm guessing my clutchless shifts on the Sporty would be considered 'fast' changes as well.

If I need to move quickly I change gear quickly.
Usually though,I just take my time.
This is on a Suzuki LC and a four speed EVO big twin.
Main difference between Sports bike and cruiser is the kick distance of the gear change.
Use to drive hotted up VW Beetles and also had a tight box Alpha SUD.
The SUD was so much more demanding in Gear Change because of the tight box.

Hmmm tight box