Recommended shift points

[Nimbus]

So, I anticipate the ::021::, but I did a search and can't find an answer.

I just picked up my bike on Saturday and have a question about the Yamaha recommended shift points. I have always assumed that shift points in owners manuals are the absolute minimum shift points on flat ground and that they flirt with lugging. But the book says it'll take 5th gear at 31mph and 6th at 37mph. I just got rid of a CBR600RR that rev'd to 15K and would easily cruise around at 3K in 6th gear at 40mph with no lugging on light throttle. I'm not used to a big twin, but I just can't wrap my brain around riding around in 6th gear at 37mph. I've had it in 6th briefly at like 45mph on a dead flat road at cruise and it seems OK. It also accelerates from 3K in 6th with some verve, so I can't imagine it's truly 'lugging.'

Is it lugging at partial accel from 3K in 6th gear? The rev range is a lot like a car so, on that front, I have no issue at cruise in my car at 2500rpms (redline is about 7K).

Anyway, I'd appreciate some info.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I have never understood how the manufactures come up with those insanely low shift point speeds. I shift based on feel and how mellow or aggressive I feel. I've never, ever felt it was appropriate to shift into 5th at 37 MPH. I doubt I've ever shifted into 4th at that low a speed.

 

[Maxified]

I have never understood how the manufactures come up with those insanely low shift point speeds. I shift based on feel and how mellow or aggressive I feel. I've never, ever felt it was appropriate to shift into 5th at 37 MPH. I doubt I've ever shifted into 4th at that low a speed.

::026:: ::001::

 

[Combo]

I agree with this from 20VALVES.

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=5156.msg91373#msg91373

 

[redneckK20]

It'll pull from 1500 rpms in 6th. I do it almost every day in my commute because I go through a town on the main highway.

 

[MidlifeMotor]

I always thought the recommended points were too low also. It was the same with my Yamaha V-star 650 manual also. That bike ran better when it screamed.

You are correct, you will probably get a lot of these ::021::. I run it at higher rpms and simply don't care.

 

[terrysig]

Don't know about shift points but a factory tech told me years back to always keep the motor in the second third of the tach zone for proper operation. Upon pressing him this is for the alternator as well as all pumps.

I've lived by that rule through many bike.

My bikes very seeldom get past third gear unless slab riding.

 

[Rasher]

Don't know about shift points but a factory tech told me years back to always keep the motor in the second third of the tach zone for proper operation.

I think this does go for most bikes, the exception being large capacity superbikes where this equates to an instant jail visit :exclaim:

I also like the bike to slow up when I close the throttle and speed up when I open it - neither of which would happen at the minimums quoted, but I guess they are just indicating the point at which the bike won't labour and shake itself to bits as opposed to where you should ride day to day.

3k to 6k seems ideal for most circumstances on this bike and is probably where I spend over 95% of my time

 

[HoebSTer]

I think too much on this at times and watch the Fuel Consumption gauge too often while accelerating. Most of my driving or commuting has me shifting about 3000-3500 rpm. Over 80%of the time it is under 4000rpm overall riding. I simply need to turn that fuel monitor off!!! IN the twisties, I like to run it a bit more not coming under 4500rpm. Geez, I better ::021::

 

[sail2xxs]

I do pretty much the same thing - I tend to shift right around 3500 -4000; 95% of my riding is between 3500 and 4000 rpm.

Chris

 

[mcbrien]

I do pretty much the same thing - I tend to shift right around 3500 -4000; 95% of my riding is between 3500 and 4000 rpm.

Chris

::026:: Riding like this bike should last well over 100,000 miles ::008::

 

[sail2xxs]

I hope so! It's got over 42k on it now, and I really like this bike...

Chris

 

[~TABASCO~]

I do pretty much the same thing - I tend to shift right around 3500 -4000; 95% of my riding is between 3500 and 4000 rpm.

Chris

X2......

Except in the dirt, then I see 4-8K often... You touch the throttle and it pops to 5K way to easy...

 

[markjenn]

I think the only reason the mfgs have these shift points in their manual is because it provides a baseline of operation required for emissions and safety testing. And for this, Yamaha probably puts the shift points as low as possible and still allow the bike to cruise without lugging on flat ground in each gear. So these speeds represent probably the lowest speeds you'd normally use the gear in, but doesn't represent how most of would ride the bike where we want normal acceleration and throttle response.

I ignore them and do what makes the bike feel right. And in this regard, the bike seems to be fine with almost any throttle above 4K or so, but below 4K it can start to get a little growly if you're using big throttle openings. On light throttle, I'll troll around in the 2K-3.5K range occasionally, but I view 3.5K and above as the working RPM range for this motor.

The fewer the cylinders, typically the narrower the useful RPM range of a motor is, but mid-range torque is often quite good vs. a four as it is with our S10 - it just has a very nice friendly spread of power from about 4K-7K. Singles get very lumpy at low RPMs - I owned a KTM 640 once that was good from about 4K-6K - below that it was very lumpy/snatchy and above that you got blurred vision due to the vibes. But it made good power at 5K. I shifted that bike a lot. Conversely, I have a S1000RR which has a useable powerband from just off idle to a 14K redline. It doesn't make much power below about 4K, but it runs very smoothly and you can come in off the highway at 80 mph, troll through town at 30 mph, and then smoothly (and slowly) accelerate back to highways speeds without leaving 6th.

- Mark

 

[la-motor]

Maybe I'm doing something wrong...but after all the mods...I seem to be having trouble shifting at anything lower than redline. ::26::

 

[Tallgears]

Maybe I'm doing something wrong...but after all the mods...I seem to be having trouble shifting at anything lower than redline. ::26::

::026::

I'm so glad someone else said this!!! I can't remember the last time I rode my bike and I didn't shift it at redline at least a couple times.... ::26::

 

[cosmic]

I don't even think about that... When i'am alone on it i let it breath generously, most of the times. When i'am with my wife i'am gentle on the throttle.


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