Shifting and RPM's

[jangofett]

I went back and read a old post about shifting at redline. When I get up over 6000 RPM's I am hesitant to go much more. It sounds so wound at that point. Are some of you winding between 7000 and 9000 on a regular basis? I have a question about roll ons in top gear? What is the average time between 60-80 on this bike. Anyways, I guess I'll start winding her up a little more as I get the courage.

[pantablo]

when I'm putting around town I usually (usually) don't go over 8-9k rpm. When in the canyons I rarely get below 8-9k and often find myself near 11k limit.

It's a screamer!

[JeffD]

Cant hurt it.  Dont worry.   I was afraid at first (always lugging around 4k) but thats because I used to drive a VW bug that shook like nuts and didn't like High rpms.  Now I can cruise at 6k and be happy.   Just rev it up to 10k once...(betcha cant do it only one time.   too much fun.   )

[pantablo]

When I get up over 6000 RPM's I am hesitant to go much more. .

It doesn't get really good until past 7k...you're missing ALL the fun.

[glenn9171]

When I get up over 6000 RPM's I am hesitant to go much more. .

It doesn't get really good until past 7k...you're missing ALL the fun.

Exactly. :mrgreen: The GS makes NO power below 6-7000RPM.  Just keep it out of the red on the tach and the bike will be fine.  

Heh heh heh.  I remember the first time after break-in that I ran it all the way through the tach 1st-4th gears.  Quite shocking after putting around for 6oo miles.  

[shep_bannister]

According to Motorcyclist Magazine, the (2001) GS500's max HP is ~39 @ 8500 RPMs.  Max torque is 26.6 @ 7000 RPMs.  

Stopping at 6000 is similar to chewing up your food and then spitting it out.  Open her up and let her rip!

[jangofett]

I guess I will twist her up some more. I got into it a little this morning around 7000rpm. I found out the F1R is in fact loud. Are you guys twisting it up that high through all the gears? Anyways, I feel a little more eager to get on it more.

[Casimir]

Before I got to the end of break-in, I was concerned that I would have trouble unlearning the 5K shift point. Once I found out what was up there,  the only problem I've had is that I want to keep it up in that power band which make for some <ahem> trans-speed limit velocities.  

[pantablo]

Are you guys twisting it up that high through all the gears? .

YES.

[on a ride a while back I opened her up [WOT] in 5th or 6th gear and was indicating 120mph at about 9800rpm...as I wizzed by JohNLA...]

[Rich500]

The only time my bike sees anything below 6000 is idle, and out of my drivway. other than that, i have the beeotch pegged. its a toy right, mine has a warranty, parts can be replaced. Id rather take it to the limit and enjoy its full potential. I remember more than a couple of time unfortunatley where its has seen life past redline. oh well

[Rema1000]

Don't worry about it: I got mine up to 7k once   .  I'm riding mostly on neighborhood streets; some would even call it "scooting".  I think my commute has one stretch of like 5 whole blocks with no stop-signs :x  .  I do take it out onto county roads now and then, but I think my commute has influenced my riding style.

That's OK.  I'll learn to wind it out once I pass my first 1K miles.       That's the beauty of the GS500: completely wimpy putt-putt when you need that, track-capable when you're ready.

[Zarathustra]

i always accelerate up to around 9k rpms in each gear before shifting.  i mean, what's the point of having a sporty bike if you're not gonna use it to its capabilities?  if you're not getting past 6k you're not getting any acceleration, rev that mutha up!

[sprint_9]

I usually rev to about 10 when I really want to go, about 7-8 when Im in a so so go mood, and try running around 4-5 when just crusing around town. I know you can turn 11 with the GS, but that is moving pretty good if you really think about it. I would try to keep it around 10 when shifting.

[Black Snowman]

I know what it sounds like when the valves start to float There is a reason the redline is 11k.

[Blueknyt]

some good valve keepers and stronger springs and you could rev higher, but there wouldnt be any point as the power drops off pretty quick, unless ofcoarse you get the cams reground for higher RPM power range, even then its limited by the Angle of the valves, they like to cross up then kiss the piston

[tharp]

I'm new to riding as well.  I had always been shifting at 5000 rpms.  When it gets over that, my bike seems to have some vibration and seems like its running too hard or something.  Perhaps I'm just new to riding and not used to the sounds of the bike

[SlavDaddy]

I know the manual says I should be fine as far as break in goes (I am at 1800 miles    ), but my wierd hey-I-don't-want-to-go-to-second-gear-so-you'll-have-to-upshift-twice issue makes me think I might have some kind of elongated break in period going on. Should I wait a few more thousand miles before I rev this puppy up (at 7 in the morning on Sunday on country roads of course -- still a newbie   :mrgreen:  )?

[Kerry]

Should I wait a few more thousand miles before I rev this puppy up?

I can't think of any reason to wait.  If your oil level is OK, give it a shot!

As far as your shifting problem goes, you might try switching to a different oil on your next oil change.  I don't have any particular oil in mind, as long as it's a good oil.  Just experiment with brands and weights and keep notes on any changes you detect.

[Argon5W]

The GS engine is extremely reliable.  If you are getting on the highway or need to get up to speed quickly you should definetly twist the throttle farther.  Change your oil and follow the suggested maintenance schedule and you will be able to enjoy your bike for several years.

Even when racing a modified GS the engines rarely have problems.  We ran a GS for a couple of endurance seasons before we tore it down for a good look.  The engine was fine so we installed new rings and gaskets and raced it  for two more seasons.  An endurance racing engine will see redline on almost every shift and the races last are usually 4, 6, or 8 hours long.  Because of these extreme conditions we changed the oil (Motul synthetic) after every race.

[Oreobob]

you big softee! they should call you marshmellow!!  :nana:  Really though, here in the midcities, we have nice long stretches of road between the red ones (stoplights) and plenty of honda's and mustangs who can't seem to get enough of getting their asses kicked. Therefore, the only time I'm below 6000rpm is when I'm pulling into my apartment. Besides, if I wanted to keep the rpm's down, I'da stayed in my 86 toyota. Get off the bike and give to someone who'll really ride her!  

I'm such an ass.