Gear selection

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by wilburj, Dec 8, 2010.

  1. wilburj

    wilburj New Member

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    I have an 04 interceptor and love my bike, we ride mostly 2 lane twisty back roads here in North Western Pa. I find myself riding between 55 and 65 mph most of the time. At those speeds I usually choose to stay in 4th gear which puts me between 5500 and 6500 RPM's. Is there any problems running those RPM's in that gear for extended periods of time. My triumph dealer tells me to run 6th gear on my 2000 Daytona 955i to keep the revs down, no problem for that bike because it has tons of torque and can easily pull 6th gear almost anywhere. The VFR on the other hand, while it has a nice torque curve, can not as easily pull 6th all the time and I feel it is straining the engine to run these lower rpms. As a side note I went up 2 teeth on the rear sprocket which makes for quicker going. What is the consensus on my 4th gear question? Also please give evidence as to your answer, in other words instead of just an "ok run 4th" let me know why you say what you do. thanks so much wilburj
     
  2. Metallican525

    Metallican525 New Member

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    When I am running twisties at speed I'm usually in 3rd I think. I prefer to keep her a little closer to VTEC range for that sweet sound and hard drive out of the corners. Personal preference really, I seriously doubt you could do any damage to the bike running in 4th at those speeds or at those RPM's. I wouldn't run too much lower as you would start to strain the charging system at 4k and lower (I think, somebody will be along shortly to tell me that this is wrong I'm sure)
     
  3. wrestler

    wrestler New Member

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    I'm glad you asked. I'm waiting for the experts in here to hazard an answer. I know I do what you do with my 05. fourth gear in the twisties so I have somewhere to go if I have to make quick adjustment. But I have never checked for the threads that discussed this. I will wait with you for the response.
     
  4. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    Run it where it is the happiest, never lug an engine.
     
  5. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    yep end of story, too many variables to tell you what gear I use in turns, has to have enough drive, its not like your engine knows what gear its in. Most part fourth and fifth work well. Sixth gear is reserved for highway blitz-krieg usually shift into it at 90 mph or so. You could bounce your bikes into the rev limiter without hurting them. Just rev em freely and dont lug em, (to high a gear to give you adequate drive). Cheers.
     
  6. abner malidy

    abner malidy New Member

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    mark it 8, dude
    TC wins with an economy of words.

    what is the bike in your avitar?

    montessa? ossa? bultaco?

    makes no sense at all, but i would love to get a bultaco
    they were killing at the track when i was about 12
    i sell spanish 2-wheelers, but they lack an engine!
     
  7. havcar

    havcar New Member

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    If anything I would drop a gear to 3rd, that's only slightly more than half it's range. It won't hurt the bike in the slightest and will give you a much better response. If you're cruising at those speeds then 4th or 5th would be more appropriate.
     
  8. Knife

    Knife Member

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    Not that I know what I'm doing, but I like to run high RPMs in the twisty to take advantage of engine braking and minimal use of the brakes. Is that wrong?
     
  9. havcar

    havcar New Member

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    Knife, are you drinking and posting again?
     
  10. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    I'm with Knife on this one, actually. When I'm floggin it with the boys on those backroads of Eastern PA, seldom am I less than 6K to 7K.

    Maybe I've been drinking too...
     
  11. havcar

    havcar New Member

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    ^^^ My comments on drinking were in response to what seemed like a possibly sarcastic question; which I'm fine with, I actually laughed a little. I also ride in the upper end of the tach, although engine braking is not routinely practiced.
     
  12. Spike

    Spike New Member

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    Ride it where ever on the tach you feel most comfortable, except lugging it (say below 2,500 - 3,000). On "fun" I generally try to keep it above 6,000, when I commute, generally I run it a little slower, around 4-5,000. Anywhere on the tach isn't going to hurt the motor - besides lugging it. If running it at 8,000 would hurt the engine, then the redline would be at 7,500. Honda knows far far more about the capabilities of this engine than your mechanic or anyone on this board, myself included. I would definately say the same is true for your Triumph.
    Did he say this during break in?
    Remember it is a motorcycle, you are supposed to be having fun with it!
    As long as you maitain the motor properly, there isn't much you can do to hurt it.
     
  13. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    "it is a motorcycle, you are supposed to be having fun with it" :vtr2:
     
  14. Knife

    Knife Member

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    The scary thing is, I don't drink! Whoa!
     
  15. WhiteKnight

    WhiteKnight Well-Known Member

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    When I had my 93, I ran 3rd and 4th in the twisties unless the curves dictated otherwise. Like others have said, don't lug the engine. Running a little higher in the revs, if you are comfortable with that, won't hurt the motor at all.
     
  16. wilburj

    wilburj New Member

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    what is the bike in your avitar?

    montessa? ossa? bultaco?

    No-No-and no- believe it or not it is an old 67 or 68 Suzuki 250MX and it is fun to ride except it does not go too fast.
    Also thanks for all those who weighed in on my question. I do have fun running in lower gears. Also I did not take my Triumph dealers advice I run her up in the revs also. thanks much wilburj
     
  17. tawny owl

    tawny owl New Member

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    To be honest I have been guilty of "lugging it" for a few months, and really felt that the bike was just a bit slow and very sluggish. I guess by not really having somewhere to get a good feel for higher speeds and engine tone, I just ran her up to the city and changed up without thinking at about 3000-3500. Have made a concerted effort to sit at 4500-5000 for my cruising lately and it does feel like a different bike. I was conscious of the sound to begin with, but getting used to it and enjoying the tone changes (HADN'T REALLY HEARD THEM BEFORE...I'M ASHAMED TO ADMIT). I try to keep her in as low a gear as practical now and squirt just to give me a smile.... :)
     
  18. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    Glad to hear! Now get out and enjoy her some more! What year is yours?
     
  19. havcar

    havcar New Member

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    Good effort, tawny. Keeping the rpm's up a little is a good start. If you find that conditions will generally keep you at lower rpm's, or if your just looking for more punch in the midrange, you may also want to condsider adding two or three teeth to the rear sprocket.
     
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