A few engine questions.

[proudlom]

First of all, I've noticed a few posts in which people say to keep the GS above a certain RPM while driving.  Is there a good RPM range to be driving in? Is it a bad idea to be driving around 3500-4000?

Secondly, once in a while I can hear my transmission grinding almost immediatly after I upshift and then it goes down a gear (or into neutral from 2nd).  Am I just not pushing up on the shifter hard enough or do I have a potential serious problem?

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[scratch]

When you shift, do your rpm's go below 4000rpm in the new gear? If so, bad boy. In first, I ride up to 5500rpm before I shift to second; that way I'll be at 4000rpm in second. In fifth gear, I ride up to 6000 and then shift to sixth. I cruise around city streets above 4000, usually 4100. Freeway is 4600.

If you're grinding gears, first try to adjust your clutch cable tighter. You may not be disengaging the clutch enough to shift gears. There may be more...but for now...try the cable adjustment.

You may have a case of 'lazy toe', in which you need to practice getting your foot trained to lift up on that gearshift lever.

[proudlom]

Thanks for the info.  So if I slow down in traffic below 4000, I should downshift?

[MarkusN]

Lazy floating along in in-town traffic is possible down to 2500 RPM. Dont expect responsiveness from there, though; yozu'll have to downsc^hift two gears at least to accelerate out of this state.

I find myself in-town in the 3500 to 4000 RPM range most of the time. Responsive enough (I don't want to pop wheelies), and quiet.

But hey, whatever flots your boat. If you want her very responsive, stay above 4000. I find that this may be difficult for beginners to handle, as the reactions of the bike get much jerkier there.

[noodle]

I was told simply not to have the engine at so low revs that you're upsettinmg the chain....

4000+ revs for me seems good as at 3500 it feels bogged down in a kind of "oops, wrong gear" moment

[MarkusN]

I was told simply not to have the engine at so low revs that you're upsettinmg the chain....

4000+ revs for me seems good as at 3500 it feels bogged down in a kind of "oops, wrong gear" moment

Depends on load an tuning. The engine definitely doesn't accept much load at these rpm or it will start "buffeting". clear indication that I have to downshift. BTW, this condition is hardst on the sprocket-shaft connection, especially on the older models without shoulder on the sprocket.

I found that I can ride the GS smoothly at lower RPM since I have lowered fuel level in the carbs substantially.

[scratch]

Thanks for the info.  So if I slow down in traffic below 4000, I should downshift?

Yes. I routinely do. Sometimes, if I'm not paying attention, I've slowed down to 3500 in second before shifting to first; the bike doesn't seem to mind and I don't either.

[scratch]

Depends on load an tuning. The engine definitely doesn't accept much load at these rpm or it will start "buffeting". clear indication that I have to downshift. BTW, this condition is hardst on the sprocket-shaft connection, especially on the older models without shoulder on the sprocket.

Good to know to look for wear in that area, to see if "lugging", or "bogging", the engine is common.

I found that I can ride the GS smoothly at lower RPM since I have lowered fuel level in the carbs substantially.

Do you get better fuel economy?

[The Buddha]

OK shut throttle it will be OK till 2500, opening the throttle I'd stay over 3K minimum, and over 3500 generally.... So you can coast and down shift at 2500, but before attempting to run again... I'll down shift again. A stock bike is rather pathetic below 4K... mine has been tuned out to run right ... so 3500 is actually a feasible rpm even under load.
Cool.
Srinath.

[mp183]

so 3500 is actually a feasible rpm even under load.
Cool.
Srinath.

You might be able to run on a flat road but I would not accelerate from 3,500 unless the wind is at my back and I take it easy with the throttle.  This is for a bike that has be re-jetted.  For stock carbs in general stay above 4,000

[cernunos]

Riding the GS after years of HD and Triumph has been a learning experience just in relation to RPM and gear selection. With the Electraglide I could get to fourth and just stay there pretty much until I came to a stop. Now with the little G if I slow down and say, turn a corner up-hill, I feel that "chugga-chugga" just like any twin when you're pulling down low in the rev range with one BIG difference...The G lets me know she don't like it. So there is definitely a lot more shifting going on. Remember too that with plain-sleeve bearing engines the big danger is low oil pressure at low rev/high loading situations. In those instances you can lose thin-film or "boundary" lubrication and the bearing to journal interface has momentary metal to metal contact with load. If you pull the engine apart you can tell if it has been lugged because the upper con-rod bearings will have wiping from that condition whereas under conditions of over-speed or too much deceleration load the lower halves will have evidence of wiping. That's one of the nice things about roller bearing engines, they don't need anywhere near the oil pressure to maintain thin-film lubrication. Hope this wasn't boring to anyone, please bear with an abby normal poster child. That GS500 is fun, sometimes the forum is too.

C.......

[MarkusN]

I found that I can ride the GS smoothly at lower RPM since I have lowered fuel level in the carbs substantially.

Do you get better fuel economy?

Definitely better than before, but before fuel level was almost half an inch high. Economy improved by about 15%

[scratch]

Wow, cool, thanks!