I always think I am reving too high.

I had a 77 supersport cb750 and a 87 gl1200 goldwing previosly.
Those bikes were happy to shift in the 4-5k rpm range.
This new bike - 85 vf700f - is also happy shifting in that range, but because
I redline at 11k I wonder if I am shifting to soon. I dont want to wear anything out, and I have heard that but shifting that early on a sportier bike
I will foul my plugs out sooner, as well as put more stress on the drivetrain.
I ride to work daily, with no freeway time, just down a 45mph zone for about 10 minutes. I cant get it out of second gear if I want to shift later then 6k.
Also, I am usually pretty conservative and I dont need to be flying down the road just yet.
So, is it healthy to shift at 35-45k rpms and cruise in my 45mph lane for my 10 minute drive to work?
I am also considering two other factors - the age of my bike as well as
safety...it is hard to get up and get out of the way doing 45 in 5th gear.

hoping for advice from someone with a simular model, not just basic advice.

thanks in advance guys!

 

i'd say i normally shift right around 6500. just as the vtec kicks in
if the bike temp is under 150º i'll probably shift around 5k
but for just cruising at 45 mph i see no problem holding 4k rpm in 4th gear
actually you're probably sparing your tranny gears some wear by shifting at a lower rpm

 

This is one of the great things about the VFR, it's range in what it does. you can putts along, or rape it, don't matter the motor is so forgiving. I have on a lazy occasion shifted at 2500-3000 short shift it through town, doesn't seem to mind as long as you're not going up hill. in fact she's got a great rumble in 4th at 3300, or run her up through the gears, it's all good, all thou I find if your wanting an A game performance say like at the track, I keep her in the 9000-10K range, she likes that LOL so do I..

 

With statments like "Reving the piss out of it" I'm thinking I need to start a thread to see if the other Aussies on here think we should make Reg and Derstuka hounerary Australians.

 

That is exactly what I was hoping for! I will cruise to work and wrap it up when I need ( or want ) to.

thanks!

 

No.
35,000-45,000 rpms is fairly high...
Especially considering MotoGP bikes redline at "only" 20k or so... :wink:

But seriously, although VFRs make good torque across a broad spread and are perfectly happy short-shifting all day long, they get happy in the 4-6000 rpm range, and even 6k is barely 1/2 of what the engine is designed to operate at (redline).

4-6k rpm will provide all the urge needed for fairly sporty riding; they really come alive above 8k.
The V4 is very smooth at elevated rpms so it's a good thing they have a rev limiter to protect the engine.
Don't be afraid to use the rev limiter on occasion - it was designed to take it and will do no harm.

Actually, I'm of the school of thought and actual experience that sustained higher rpms (over 8k) will help to clean carbon deposits from the piston crowns, valves/stems, spark plugs, general combustion chambers, etc.
You'll actually do your engine a favor to run it hard for a while every now and then (the old-fashioned "Italian Tune-Up").
Your short, mellow commute really doesn't even allow the engine to ever really come up to full operating temp to blow out moisture from the crankcase & oil, or for the pistons etc. to get hot enough to clean off - you're building up carbon by riding mellow and "cold" so much.
Your bike NEEDS high rpms occasionally to run right and for a long healthy life.

Go for a long ride (50+ miles). Try to keep the rpms north of 6k as much as possible, and run it to redline on occasion (but be safe).
I'll betcha your engine will feel smoother and more responsive for a while afterwards.

 

I go by the 20 - 60 - 20 rule.

Run the bike in the middle 60% for the majority of your riding and you should be fine.

As was said before a high RPM run or two every so often will clean out the carbon in your combustion chamber - and as a plus - it will keep you awake too ; -)

 

"I will foul my plugs out sooner, as well as put more stress on the drivetrain."

If you lug any motor (basically) your not doing it a favor. If your plugs fowl then your carburetion is not set up correct. Like Rat I cruise around town mostly at 3500 to 5000 rpms. When I'm in the country and playing around 8-11k works great. I think cruising at 70-80mph it normally runs around 7k anyways. These motors are made to spin and are happy in the upper r's. But you don't have tyo go around town at 8k. To me that's a bit much. The great thing about these motors is you can take off in second gear if you forget to down shift in to first.

 

the vfr can handle the boredom of 3-4k but it craves 8-11k i would def open it up more just to keep things cleaned out and give you a good shot of adrenaline before pullin up to the office for that 9-5. way better than coffee or redbull.lol

 

What about "It's better to be pissed off than pissed on" my personal favorite.

 

That's a favorite of mine!! here's another

"Procrastination is like masturbation. It's all fun and games until you realize you just fucked yourself!"

 

I've only ridden Vtwins before I got the VFR... my VTX doesn't even have a tach, but redlines somewhere around 5k. So I've been used to shifting between 3k and 4k mostly.

When I got the VFR I rode it home between 3k and 4k (granted the chain was rusted all to hell and the tires were bald and it was raining!). I have since learned to cruise around 5, and when I'm playing around 7-8 is fun. A few runs up to redline now and again just to burn out the junk (if any).

 

My 98 doesnt feel right if you dont rev it. Most people ride around one gear too high anyway. You're not going to hurt it.

Try this, ride around one day and whatever gear you're in on the straights, drop it by one gear and ride around all day that way, by the end of the day, unless you're blasting across the Mojave at WFO, you'll be ready to keep the revs up all the time, because it will help you slow down better, and keep the throttle crisp when you want to go a bit quicker.

 

Don't want to lug the engine, it's hard on all the components. You gotta realize motorcycle engines are designed for high rpms. Now that's not saying to buzz around town at 10 grand and only doing 45 mph. I have a 23 mile commute with both open county roads and city driving. If I'm cruising below 60 I usually go ahead and drop in down into 5th. One reason is invariably I'll come upon a couple of slow cars or 18 wheelers and if the road is clear up ahead for a long distance I'll just roll on the throttle and have torque to get up and goin and on around. However, if I'm cruising in 5th and really have to move on out I'll down shift all the way to 3rd and hit red line and depending on the circumstance hit red line again in 4th, by the time I go into 5th I'm usually in triple digits and around all the traffic, will stay in 5th and let it coast back down to reality and proceed on. While puttering around town at 30/40 mph I'm usually in 3rd or 4th depending upon traffic flow, you need the ability to slow down quickly or get in and out, your not able to do that if in a high gear, anticipate the slowing of traffic or a possible up coming stop and down shift accordingly. Those that coast to a stop with the clutch pulled in and then go down through the gears back to first are are asking for trouble. Hope this was of some help.

 

I'm that hungry, I could eat the arse end out of a low flying duck!

 

If it isn't bouncing off the rev limiter, it isn't reving to high......

 

I'm as hungry as a bitch wolf with pups. I'm so hungry I could eat the ass out of a rag doll. I'm so hungry a fart would smell good. More? That's as hard as trying to shit through a cast. She has a face like a wood worm. I feel as though I've been eatin by a cougar and shit over a cliff (real bad hangover!). He's as dumb as a box of possum heads. I've got many more but of course when you try to recall them you have a brain fart. I'll post them from time to time as they pop into my head.