Interesting thought.... at what RPM do you usually shift?

[TurkeyChicken]

I was just reading a thread that mentioned shifting at 9k...  I was just wondering what you all usually shift at.

I usually shift somewhere around 4k on my '01.  It just sounds like i'm pushing the engine too hard if I wait until higher RPMs to shift.  Maybe that's just something i need to get over.

Thoughts? 

[intergalactic]

7-8k if I am accelerating in traffic. 9-10k if I am hammering. I will change gears to cruise at between 4-6k RPM. Depending on my flatspot/junk carb karma that day.

I hit 12,500 this weekend accidentally. No bent valves. It made it another 100 miles!  

Don't try to repeat that one.

[smartroad]

I am the same, about 6-7k in traffic and about 9k when going for it, also found out that you can clutchless shift up when hammering (done it accidently) did seem to help maintain acceleration compared to a 'proper' clutched shift

[efushi]

TurkeyChicken, I used to be the exact same you were.  I always shifted at 4k or else the noise was really loud and I really thought I shouldnt be revving any higher.  Then I read that most of the power is up in the higher rpm ranges. Try it out, you won't go back. The sound you get used to.

[gsJack]

Shifting at 9k will drop you to about 7k rpm and in my opinion will give max performance with a stock GS500, will give the best time on hilly twisty roads, but not for everyday riding about.  The 4-6k suggested by intergalactic is a good engine speed for just riding about.

Stock GS engine has max HP at about 8500 rpm so there is nothing to be gained by revving much higher.  Can be extended 1-2k with a good job of intake, exhaust mods, and jetting to gain another 3-4 HP but hardly worth the expense in my opinion unless you just like the noise.

Under revving is very typical of a newer rider, I can still remember my first bike 25 years and 370k miles ago, a CB400 not unlike the GS500.  Like most I thought I needed a bigger engine to get better performance and traded it on a CB750 six months later before I really ever learned to get the full performance out of the 400.  Now all I need is a well riden GS500 to do anything I want to do with a bike.

[tt_four]

Yeah, anyones answer on this one is going to vary. The harder you're working on the bike, the harder the engine should be going with you. If you're putzing around a parking lot it'll stay in low rpms, if you're on the highway just sitting stuff the engine is comfortable running as low as possible, if you're just cruising around in traffic you'll probably shift around 4-5k rpms, if you're riding around in faster moving more aggressive traffic you'll probably shift around 7, and if you're drag racing civics from redlights and taking back roads as fast as possible, you're going to end up shifting around 9k.

Basically, judge it by the noise. If you're riding easy enough that you think your bike is revving too loud, then it probably doesn't need to be. If you're on a back road taking turns with the bike leaned over at a 45 degree angle, you're not even going to notice your engine is screaming.

[O.C.D.]

Or you shift when your exhaust makes it too loud to drive through your neighborhood without having everyone stare at you.

[bikegirl88]

Normal riding 1st to second 6k
other gears 5k

hard acceleration - 8-10k in all gears

[TurkeyChicken]

Thanks for the info.  I'm going to try out shifting at higher RPMs later today 

[tripleb]

wow, I can't believe anyone shifts below 7k.  the bike doesn't even feel "right" to me unless it's running at more than 5k.  that said, I usually shift around 7-8k.

[bill14224]

Everyone is right.  It just depends on how much acceleration you want for the situation.  You can shift anywhere between 4000 and 11000 rpm and you won't hurt a thing.  One exception to that.  You don't want to up-shift at 4000 climbing a hill.  When climbing take it a few thousand higher.

Having said that, I putt my bike around at 4000-5000 a lot, but I like it best above 7000.  That's when the Vance & Hines starts sounding mean so everyone turns around to see what's going by! 

[intergalactic]

I learned my shift points from Bill, he only quoted me because I replied first. 

Shifting at 9k will drop you to about 7k rpm and in my opinion will give max performance with a stock GS500, will give the best time on hilly twisty roads, but not for everyday riding about.  The 4-6k suggested by intergalactic is a good engine speed for just riding about.

Stock GS engine has max HP at about 8500 rpm so there is nothing to be gained by revving much higher.  Can be extended 1-2k with a good job of intake, exhaust mods, and jetting to gain another 3-4 HP but hardly worth the expense in my opinion unless you just like the noise.

Under revving is very typical of a newer rider, I can still remember my first bike 25 years and 370k miles ago, a CB400 not unlike the GS500.  Like most I thought I needed a bigger engine to get better performance and traded it on a CB750 six months later before I really ever learned to get the full performance out of the 400.  Now all I need is a well riden GS500 to do anything I want to do with a bike.

[Desert Rat]

wow, I can't believe anyone shifts below 7k.  the bike doesn't even feel "right" to me unless it's running at more than 5k.  that said, I usually shift around 7-8k.

Some of us just use these things for commuting and don't need to hit maximum acceleration every time.

4-5k here.  Probably closer to 5.

[bassmechanicsz]

For regular commuting and general riding i usually shift around 6-7k.

[qwertydude]

I achieve my amazing gas mileage on my GS500F by shifting at 3.5k. With 3 circuit carbs there's not as much stumbling and flat spots so I've heard. I end up opening to wot a lot in order to get the power at low revs but it does increase efficiency compared to revving sky high at partial throttle. High revs while choking the engine at partial throttle leads to a lot of throttling losses. I rarely dip below 65 mpg and on average get 70 mpg and I've even seen 85 mpg. Hypermiling can be just as much of a challenge as any type of riding.

[waiho]

I shift at somewhere around 6-7k but when I wanna beat the shaZam! out of the gs, I shift around 10 to 10.5 

[TurkeyChicken]

Just went out and tested shifting at higher RPMs.  It made a huge difference.  Before I would struggle around 80mph indicated... and today i just hit 100mph indicated without much issue. 

Taking off from a stop is also much quicker at those higher RPMs.

Glad to know about this... i was starting to think my little GS just couldn't hit those higher speeds