Shifting schedule?

[inferno]

I just got a 99 gs500e about 2 weeks ago.  I am a new rider, and this is my first bike.  My friend that I bought it from said that I should ride it pretty high (between 5 and 6000 rpm)  but the owner's manual has a much lower shift schedule

1st-2nd @12mph
2nd-3rd @19mph
3rd-4th @25mph
4th-5th @31mph
5th-6th @37mph

Shifting at these speeds usually leaves me at around 3500 rpm.  What do you suggest?

[chinox22x]

blah the manual.  my shifting is usually based on engine noise.  once you get used to riding, you'll know when to shift based on the noise.  my shifting range is usually 6.5k - 7.5k.

[jermflux]

37 in 6th gear?  Not stock I would say.  I put a 13 tooth front sprocket on and I can really pull in that last gear pretty hard now.  Before it was pointless to even try.  1st and 2nd will throw you into next week now too.

[Ed_in_Az]

The shift speeds in bike manuals are ridiculous. Compare those speeds to the breakin RPM recommendation of 5,000RPMs in each gear. Since the manual speeds are lower than the breakin requirements you know they're wrong. In other words, never shift up based on what the manual says. Don't shift up before 5,000RPMs.

[Ed_in_Az]

37 in 6th gear?  Not stock I would say.  I put a 13 tooth front sprocket on and I can really pull in that last gear pretty hard now.  Before it was pointless to even try.  1st and 2nd will throw you into next week now too.

How fast is horsepower peak (9,500RPMs) in 6th now?

[ollie357]

Somebody in an earlier post cited these "shift speeds". Dude, I think these are meant to be the minimum speed at which you can be going and still shift without stalling your engine. Otherwise, like chinox22x says: shifting between about 6-8K rpm. Shifting at 3.5 K is ridiculous.

[Ed_in_Az]

Shifting at 3.5 K is ridiculous.

3,500RPMs is about right for a good launch in 1st on a green light. :mrgreen:

[Roadstergal]

Those are shift points designed to leave the bike sounding like a sewing machine.

Anything under the redline is fair game (once she's warm).  Play with that a little...

[jermflux]

37 in 6th gear?  Not stock I would say.  I put a 13 tooth front sprocket on and I can really pull in that last gear pretty hard now.  Before it was pointless to even try.  1st and 2nd will throw you into next week now too.

How fast is horsepower peak (9,500RPMs) in 6th now?

Hp is the same and is slower of course due to the gearing.  The pickup and pull is what I was refering to.  I'm putting a 49 tooth rear on tomorrow to see how that evens out the top end a bit.  But, I have to say burning out of a corner like a bat out of hell with minimal throttle does feel good.  Spanking bigger bikes off the line is kinda cool too.  By the time I meet the speed limit I let them blow by and feel a bit of the glory for themselves.  

[Ed_in_Az]

I guess I should have phrased my question differently. What is your top speed with the 13 tooth sprocket installed?

[crash]

well, 3500 is pretty ridiculous.

i would suggest shifting around 4-5 while you're still getting used to the bike.  that way if you should drop the clutch (or forget to clutch), it won't be as jarring.

when you ride for a little while, and get better at clutch (friction zone) and throttle control, you'll notice that keeping the bike at higher RPMs (and shifting at higher RPMs) gives you more immediate response to throttle.

[John Bates]

.......... I am a new rider, and this is my first bike.......

Me too.  

Like you, I tried the recommended shift points and found it hard to shift smoothly with any authority at such low rpm's.

I have learned that running the rpm's up higher, probably 5k - 6k, I don't look at the rpm meter, results in quick smoooooth shifts that amaze me after such little experiance.  

[weaselnoze]

this may be a lil off topic but it is related, what RPM is the HP peak?  so when 'racing' what RPMs should i shift at? 9.5k?

[ollie357]

I think its 8.6K rpm, at least for the new 500F.

[bikenut]

Not only does this manual have ridiculously low recommended shift speeds, but so does every car manual I've ever seen.  I've often thought why do they do this?  It's not good to lug the engine, will not increase engine life and it is not safer.  There is almost no power below 5 grand and sometimes to avoid a precariou situation, you need to MOVE.

The more I've thought about it the more puzzled I get.  

I challenge you all to give me one good reason!

[jermflux]

I guess I should have phrased my question differently. What is your top speed with the 13 tooth sprocket installed?

Ok, I'll be perfectly honest, I don't really look at my speedo much.  But this should help you out.

http://www.evilpumpkinracing.com/gearing.xls

I advanced the ignition too, so tha again does not help the HP but hastens the low end.  I figure using the higher octane to help against detonation is worth it when she uses so little gas.