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Posted by nhtrikes
- June 20, 2013, 12:58:05 PMWell 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.
Posted by DC
- June 20, 2013, 07:05:37 AMQuote from: John Hopkins on June 13, 2013, 14:36:20 PMand squirrels, deer, dogs, and a ball followed by a child chasing it that runs out from between parked cars.. . . . I need my eyes on the road surface looking for oil spills, debris, nails, and potholes, . . . .
Posted by Jobi
- June 19, 2013, 15:49:37 PMNot 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.
Posted by John Hopkins
- June 13, 2013, 14:36:20 PMI 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.
Posted by Pilgrim
- June 07, 2013, 15:11:50 PMQuote from: Petemoss on June 07, 2013, 06:17:10 AMIt 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.Pilgrim, do you cruise open two lanes at 55 or generally run it at 60 on 55mph roads?
Posted by jmbo
- June 07, 2013, 09:43:13 AMQuote from: Pilgrim on June 06, 2013, 21:08:04 PM2-20-25
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.
Posted by Petemoss
- June 07, 2013, 06:17:10 AMQuote from: Pilgrim on June 06, 2013, 21:08:04 PMPilgrim, do you cruise open two lanes at 55 or generally run it at 60 on 55mph roads?2-20-25
3- 35
4-45
5-60+some where around them ranges.
Posted by drifter-paul
- June 07, 2013, 04:43:48 AMI 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) 
Posted by Pilgrim
- June 06, 2013, 21:08:04 PM2-20-25
3- 35
4-45
5-60+
some where around them ranges.
Posted by greenbarn
- June 06, 2013, 16:37:13 PMQuote from: Petemoss on June 06, 2013, 12:15:06 PMYea, I'd think the bike would stall and fall over.4-5 at 31?
Posted by nhtrikes
- June 06, 2013, 12:59:14 PMFactory 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.
Posted by Petemoss
- June 06, 2013, 12:15:06 PMQuote from: Troll on June 06, 2013, 10:41:37 AM4-5 at 31?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.....
Posted by superfragl
- June 06, 2013, 11:31:05 AMI 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.
Posted by DC
- June 06, 2013, 10:47:29 AMIt seems like my 1500 is begging for a 6th gear. There's certainly more available power to be used.
Posted by Troll
- June 06, 2013, 10:41:37 AMAnd, 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.....