Curves, twists and smiles :)

[Rema1000]

Normally, my GS is all business (commuting, shopping, etc.).  But I went for my first-ever twisty-road ride this morning ("scenic route, 25mph recommended speed").  I found that I just didn't have enough oomph in 6th gear to shift the weight to the back wheel for the "look, lean, roll" in each turn.  For a while, I switched to using 5th gear and around 50mph, which worked much better.  I started grinning like an idiot, and even got some triumphant shouts inside my helmet!

Then I switched to 4th gear, and my speed went up to about 60.  I think the engine was doing about 6krpm there.  It seemed that I was able to control my speed much better in 4th.

On the hour-long ride back home, I found that I was favoring 5th gear, and not using 6th much .  Then I got fuel, and found that my fuel mileage for the morning was 10% better than my usual mileage     Must be because of all that city street and stop-and-go riding I usually do.

[mp183]

In the twisties keep it between 6 & 8k rpm and it's like having a different bike.  In regular riding don't go below 4,000.  Let the engine breathe.  Don't lug it.

[Rema1000]

Yes, I usually keep it around 4100 or 4200rpm, which seems to be the sweet-spot for in-town cruising. I'll hit 3-4k rpms, but only coasting downhill or decellerating.  The engine gets louder at 5k and up.

[crash]

when i first started riding, i used to prefer 4-5k for "commute" riding - i aslo went by the "noise" criteria.  now i like it b/n 4.5-5.5. not a big change, mind you, but i like the response much better.

[Ed_in_Az]

In the twisties keep it between 6 & 8k rpm and it's like having a different bike.  In regular riding don't go below 4,000.  Let the engine breathe.  Don't lug it.

I'm with you on performance riding. I'll shift at 9,500-10,000 when really  getting on it, but 6-8k is usually plenty. If it's open cruising, then 4,500-5,500.  

[JamesG]

The GS doesn't even get going until 7K, as you noticed.

That is one of the cool things about the GS. Leave it in the lower gears, and on good roads or around town, you can let it scream, and... still be in (relatively) sane legal speeds.