In town RPM's and gears?

[Moses195]

It's me again, I have a bad? habit of running up the gears to get to 4th, 5th, or even 6th. whilst going around 40 mph. I know this is probably overkill but I think I developed this habit with the TW200!! This also (duh) keeps me busy shifting! Any advice? Thanks all.

 

[Erci]

Yes... stop shifting!!

 

[Stumbles06]

I agree with Erci. Stop shifting.

I used to do the same. But have got out of the habit now. I'll generally sit in 3rd, maybe 4th when doing suburban limits now. It's safer too, you don't have the grunt needed if something jumps out at ya if you're in 6th.

Keep it in 3rd, the bike works better at higher revs :thumbup:

:rockon:

 

[jmerch44]

I not a big saftey buff, But third gear at 40mph with TB's just sounds awsome. Makes my soul light up. stock exhaust sounds horible though. when I had the stock cans, I ran a low rpm just because I didnt wanna hear it.:rockon:

 

[Stumbles06]

I not a big saftey buff, But third gear at 40mph with TB's just sounds awsome. Makes my soul light up. stock exhaust sounds horible though. when I had the stock cans, I ran a low rpm just because I didnt wanna hear it.:rockon:

Good point. Higher revs with stock cans is a bit annoying. Come to think of it, it was about the time I put the Leo's on that I started using 3rd or 4th...lol

:rockon:

 

[jmerch44]

Good point. Higher revs with stock cans is a bit annoying. Come to think of it, it was about the time I put the Leo's on that I started using 3rd or 4th...lol

:rockon:

Amen:rockon:

 

[FZ6drummer]

i completely agree with that. i notice the bike runs well at higher revs in a lower gear, but the stock cans just don't sound that great running so high. i end up shifting up to 4th or 5th just to bring the revs and therefore exhaust volume down.
just out of curiosity, what are you referring to as "in town" speed? around my city it's mostly 40-45.

 

[Paradisio]

I usually roll around anywhere in 6th as soon as I can get to it just to boost my MPG. If there are a lot of cages around I will use a lower gear just so I am able to manuver if I need to.

 

[Stumbles06]

Just out of curiosity, what are you referring to as "in town" speed? around my city it's mostly 40-45.

Well, here, "in town" limits are between 50 and 60 Km/h... (32 - 37 M/h).

:rockon:

 

[SANGER_A2]

The main advantage in keeping in a lower gear is ENGINE BRAKING!!! If something is going down in front of you, letting go of the throttle should slow you down, if you're in 3rd or 4th doing 30mph this will. If you're in 6th, you'll just carry on at the same speed. Especially useful when cornering on a lean, I've found - as I don't like to brake unless I'm going in a straight line. I don't have the skills to understand or use trail braking yet!

 

[Moses195]

FZ5Drummer I did mean 40-45 mph. Tried it today and was quite pleased with the results. Much better engine braking when(if) needed. I always think that higher RPM's is doing more damage to the engine but I guess not with these engines!!

 

[Red Wazp]

These engines are designed to run up 13K and like it.

Ride it like you stole it and be happy

 

[Moses195]

Thanks Red, that's what I've heard but when your old and grew up with the old car engines and old bikes that were just Sh$t, it's hard to press any engine!! LOL. Thanks again, I'm going to maybe get her up to 7000 tomorrow!!
oops! I did that today at 85 mph! maybe 8000 tomorrow! Then I'll be scared.

 

[Mexi-can't]

I find myself in third most of the time. Our speed limit in town is 35-45. I still get dirty looks from people thinking I'm speeding, these scorpions are loud!

 

[Red Wazp]

Yo Moses, I'm so old we had to crush rocks to make dirt.

Did a nice ride today in the twistys and spent 30 miles above 7K in 2nd and 3rd- really. Only draw back was my hands were a bit numb. I have over 10K on the bike and it doesn't use any oil and runs great.

Just pretend 4-6th gears do not exist in town.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Here' another rider LUGGING THE ENGINE! Like some other member has mentioned, your redline is 13k, the bikes' happy zone is around 7k rpms. Make sure you are in the correct powerband, especially if you're in traffic so that you can get instant throttle response, whether it's throttling out or rolling off the throttle.

You do realize that anything less than 4k rpms, you're draining your battery.

 

[FZ6drummer]

VEGASRIDER, i'm glad you pointed that out. i, as others seem to be as well, am caught in the mind frame of not wanting to push the engine too hard. i try to keep my rpm's no higher than 4k around town, but it sounds like that's not the way to do it.

 

[Nefilim]

I was the same way because my first car and bike had no tachometer and I always shifted by ear.

There's an easy remedy to that, though:

1. Find an interstate onramp.
2. Look for a clear opening.
3. Shift into first gear and travel at about 15mph.
4. Shift your weight forward and gradually open the throttle all the way.

You're now going the interstate speed limit in first gear.