To shift or not to shift?

[Troll]

In a couple of words: fuel mileage. It's not about top speed, that's a function of horse power over engine rpm and wind resistance. I just bought a car. it has a 4 speed OD automatic w/converter lock AND a tach. At 50 mph, it's turning 1350 rpm in OD converter lock. EPA rates it 30 highway (yeah, right). Now, if you're talking about say, a 1400 Ninja, that's a whole different game.

[Bucko]

.but I agree..a 6th gear would be nice and would probably give you another 20mph on the top speed.

Then again, these bikes are for looking cool on, not for racing..

John.

Sorry for dredging up old threads, I don't get out much 

I've read that a Vulcan will go faster (top end) in 4th than it will in 5th.  If true, that would negate the need for a 6th, wouldn't it?

[John Hopkins]

I got 100mph a few times last week, if I had a wind behind me instead of in front and maybe removed the windshield I might have got a few mph more but it would have been luck and maybe downhill..

I would say 100mph is my top speed and don't be fooled, many Harley's will do more than that, so will almost any other bike..these bikes are not for racing, but they do look good..

I rode out about 80 miles yesterday and didn't do much more than 70mph at any time (our top speed limit in Britain), nice sunny day, what I call an easy ride, I had just changed the oil and the bike felt smooth and great...That's what this bike is for..

John.

[Troll]

4 valve cylinder heads don't start to breathe and make power until 3-4,000 rpm. My W-650 is the same. docile power band until you hit 4k, then the revs build quickly, and you will literally slide back on the seat. I can ride in 5th gear around town @ 1800 rpm, and then roll it open and it will just pull until the magic 4k...then the power hits. When I did the airbox mod I did, the 4k rush became noticeable with the Drifter, so I did a mod to the W and  changed the needle heights by 1 slot. Not saying I can keep up with real sportbikes, but I'm pretty impressed with the smooth power delivery.

[nhtrikes]

Holy S**t!!! I thought she was whining when I got @50mph in 3rd. I can't imagine 75 in 3rd. Just think how much faster I would have gotten there had I stayed in 3rd to 70 and not taken the time to shift. Probably would have had to change my underwear when I got home . . .

[Troll]

50 in third? how about 75 in third? Check out this chart from Gadget's site...run up near 90 in third already...5,000 in 4th is almost 100......redline is 5900

[nhtrikes]

Well I goosed her last weekend when I was riding with some friends. As we turned onto the highway at 35 mph they decided to takeoff. So I followed, naturally. I was little late on the trigger so they quickly put some space between us. I was in 3rd at the time and wanted to catch up. Hell, I wasn't going to let those Harley guys show my girl up. Got on it up to @ 50 in 3rd and took 4th to almost 70 mph before going to 5th, all in about 3 seconds. Needless to say the gap disappeared quickly. All I can say is wow . . . breathless . . . what a rush, this girl sure has some giddy-up. First time I really push her. (Told you I was a geriatric cruiser.) Put her through the paces this past weekend (Laconia Motocycle Weekend) riding with different groups.  I ride almost everyday now, to work and play, with the weather much improved the past month. Finally getting really comfortable with her in most situations and must say I am absolutely in love with this bike. She has it all, power, handling, comfort and most of all LOOKS!!!! Looking to take the advanced riders course here in NH in July if it's not booked up.

[DC]

. . . . I need my eyes on the road surface looking for oil spills, debris, nails, and potholes,  . . . .

and squirrels, deer, dogs, and a ball followed by a child chasing it that runs out from between parked cars.

[Jobi]

Not too sure about the first few gears, but I usually stay in 4th from around 60-80km/h (37mph - 50mph) and pop in 5th above 80km/h, sometimes at a higher speed if I want to be accelerating with a bit more spunk.

[John Hopkins]

I think most of us don't look at the speedo everytime we change gears, I certainly don't because I need my eyes on the road surface looking for oil spills, debris, nails, and potholes, I also have to look at what the traffic is doing in front and behind and around me, and then there are speed camera's and police cars to watch for..If the bike sounds good I am in the right gear..but I agree..a 6th gear would be nice and would probably give you another 20mph on the top speed.

Then again, these bikes are for looking cool on, not for racing..

John.

[Pilgrim]

Pilgrim, do you cruise open two lanes at 55 or generally run it at 60 on 55mph roads?

It depends, we have a lot of hills and curves so I'm up and down. I basically listen to the motor, I would rather rev it on up than chug it. Generally if I'm 60 or over I'll go into 5th gear, if it starts luggin down on a hill, I will downshift.

[jmbo]

2-20-25
3- 35
4-45
5-60+

some where around them ranges.

This works for me too.  I like the fact that the 1500 has enough torque to chug through at lower speeds but these speeds seem to be the sweet spots for me.

[Petemoss]

2-20-25
3- 35
4-45
5-60+

some where around them ranges.

Pilgrim, do you cruise open two lanes at 55 or generally run it at 60 on 55mph roads?

[drifter-paul]

I remember a formula from somewhere per 1000 RPM , that i use and it has matched the reality reasonably well on my litre plus bikes
1st - 10
2nd - 15
3rd - 20
4th -25
5th - 30
At a rev limit of 6000 this gives
60,90,120,150,180 KPH thru the gears. This matched my Guzzi California 1000, BMW  R1100 RS and the Drifter 1500, going by feel and no cut-out.

Unfortunately, it does not translate well to MPH - however for what it's worth , it would be
38, 56, 75, 95, 113 MAX  , Say 35, 55, 75, 95, 115 approx

I then travel at 2/3 of the max RPM i.e. 25,39,50,62,76 MPH - 40,60,80,100,120 KPH.  ,
But change according to urge (i.e. Max) 

[Pilgrim]

2-20-25
3- 35
4-45
5-60+

some where around them ranges.

[greenbarn]

4-5 at 31?

Yea, I'd think the bike would stall and fall over.

[nhtrikes]

Factory manual seems aweful low. Can't get 5th much below 40 without beginning to chug, 4 not below 30 without chugging, which can't be good.

[Petemoss]

And, the official factory manual says:  1-2 @12 mph, 2-3 @ 19 mph, 3-4 @ 25 mph and 4-5 @ 31 mph....but sometimes I run up to 90 in 4th.....

4-5 at 31?

[superfragl]

I keep it simple: shift to 2nd @ 20 mph, 3rd @ 30, 4th @ 40, 5th @ 50. But you can easily rev motor up to 60 mph in second and I doubt you will hit the limiter.

[DC]

It seems like my 1500 is begging for a 6th gear.  There's certainly more available power to be used.

[Troll]

And, the official factory manual says:  1-2 @12 mph, 2-3 @ 19 mph, 3-4 @ 25 mph and 4-5 @ 31 mph....but sometimes I run up to 90 in 4th.....

[Petemoss]

1st to 15-20
2nd to 30-35
I cruise 3rd around 35-40
4th to 55-60

I'd rather cruise at 60 in 5th gear but 55-50 in 5th seems too low rpm's. But a steady 55 in 4th just wants to let the horses run. 

[nhtrikes]

Just wondering at what speeds does everyone else shift at? Obviously, with no tack you have to go by sound and feel. I've found that each gear's 'mid-range' seems to be associated with the corresponding MPH. 1st @ 10mph, 2nd @ 20mph, 3rd @ 30mph, ect.  That means I shift into 2nd at 10mph, into 3rd at 20 to 25mph, 4th usually at 35mph and 5th at 45mph unless getting on the highway where I want to reach hwy speed quickly I'll hold 4th 'til @ 55-60mph before going to 5th. Obviously the range is much greater if I'm in a hurry or feeling frisky and want that gitty-up feeling. But most days I'm in cruisin mode and shift at the lower speeds.  If I'm in town at 35mph I"ll stay in 4th but down to 3rd if the traffic is steady at 30mph. Am I way off here or possibly hurting the bike riding at such low rpm's all the time? Funny thing is my old bike has a tack but I don't ever remember watching it except when I was in a hurry. Always tried to stay out of the red zone  .