How high an RPM do you cruise at?

[indywar360]

the comments on this thread have led me to alter my riding style from low-RPM to a wider range. Previously I'd upshift once I got to 5 or 6000, mostly because of the racket and vibration. Lately I've been using much more powerband and feeling my engine "thriving". The anti-lugging warning has been in mind. I have probably been guilty of this a little, of course sometimes it's unavoidable.

As far as engine braking goes, how low can you go in RPMs until it's considered lugging?

[Jarrett]

You can go as low as the math will allow.  Example:

RPM = engine speed, revs/minute
           r = tire radius inches
           R1 = transmission gear ratio
           R2 = sproket gear ratio

I'll use 6k rpm for an example.  Plug and chug with this formula   

6000 rev/min then the bike must be going (60 / 63,360) * ( ( 6000 * 6.28 * r) / (R1*R2) miles/hour

Hope that helps.

[pantablo]

when I had my gs I would ride it around town at 7k rpm or so. nothing too loud or vibey. in the canyons I would ring it out to 11k....and hold it between 9-11k throughout...

[Jace009gs]

I always tell myself that when she spins at 10'000 I'm doing her a favor...blow'n out the carbon build up

[indywar360]

when someone is doing something stupid in front of me instead of using my horn Ill just let it rip on the throttle with the gear out. However today while winding up at some dumb driver who was blocking my way, I looked down after letting off the throttle some and it was still at like 10k so I had it way in the red. Then later noticed a tinktinktinktink sound at idle, kinda like the camshaft endplay sound. Hope I didn't fark it all up inside.

[galahs]

I just can't do it!

I tried keeping my revs higher for cruising but the bike runs too loud (exhaust + lunchbox filter) and I feel like its just me being a squid.

My bike (2005) seems to cruise nicely at 4,000rpm's so that's what I'll revert back too.

[indywar360]

here I thought aussies were manly... 

[galahs]

I guess its just not in our aussie culture to have high revving engines.

We like big lumpy v8 cars that cruise at 100km/h at 1,500rpm

even our V8 Supercars (Touring Cars) redline at 7,500rpm

[indywar360]

that's why America is #1

[Queso]

In town I keep around 5k if there's traffic, as low as 4k with little traffic, and 3k through the neighborhood streets. Freeway riding I'll cruise in 6th, but I won't hesitate in the least to drop a gear for passing. I've modded my GS a bit, and it accelerates fine in sixth, but downshifting 1 gear provides more than enough power for me. Lane splitting I keep it around 7k, for noise primarily. Going full throttle from holding it at 7k is enough to slide me back in my seat if I'm not holding on tight.

When I'm just out to have fun, however, 8-10k for a stretch is common. Most of the time I shift around 7 or 8k. I have the smallest bike of everyone I know, but I'm a lot more comfortable with my bike than any of them. They fear their bikes, whereas I absolutely love mine 

[galahs]

that's why America is #1

If you guys didn't have so many nukes I'd actually argue that point 




Riding a GSXR around town at high revs is cool as it has street cred, doing on a GS seems alittle bit 'fly'

[Yankee Punker]

 After reading all of what has already been said on this Post by GS500 owners, my mind started thinking what does the GS500 owners manual have to say about this subject.



  Not that its totally wrong, but I think some here are just leaning toward Super Sport wannabes, plus if you take into mind if you have dropped a tooth or two on the sprocket, have Re-Jetted, and improved your air flow (filter/exhaust) your now set up to run even better than a stock GS. I ride my bike a lot, on average about 250 miles a week, and I know that reducing your RPM's also reduces your friction and over all engine wear, and can stretch some service intervals. I guess it all comes down to what you want to get out of your GS.

[Chuck]

The subject of the shift points in the owner's manual has come up before.  It's very amusing.  They have to tell you to shift at a low RPM because otherwise they might be seen as encouraging speeding.  They say don't exceed redline, and that's good advice.

I think some here are just leaning toward Super Sport wannabes

Your point?   

If I ride like hell and burn out my GS in 20,000 miles, I'll say "man, that was great!"  If I ride it like grandma and it lasts 80,000 miles, it will not have been worth it.  And since I only have time to ride 3,000 to 4,000 miles per year, it will rot to death before I kill it.

I also eat unhealthy food, because I'd rather live a shorter life and enjoy myself than living longer eating sticks and berries.  Everyone has different values and makes different decisions.

[indywar360]

that chart is slightly off.

in 2nd I get 30mph indicated at about 6-7000 rpm. 37 mph in 5th? wtf? 

[galahs]

The bike definitely lugs in 6th at 60km/h!!!!! 

At 60km/h I'd be in 4th gear if cruising.