Such a stupid question...5-speed or 6-speed?

[anoopb]

This is a totally stupid question but it's bugging me!

So I've been convinced the whole time that my 2000 GS500E is a 5-speed transmission.

Yesterday, while reading up on wikipedia about different bikes (ZRX1200r, SV650, etc) and comparing to the GS500, i notice that it says 6-speed!

Of course, I haven't been on my bike yet since I read it but I'm going to find out this week for sure.

I'm pretty damn sure I've got a 5-speed trans or something is screwed up on my bike. I'm not sure which.

I'm not sure if this helps but in the highest gear I can find on my bike, i'm doing 60 mph @ 5K RPMs

I know this is a stupid question so feel free to laugh at me. Just don't ban me!

[gsJack]

It's a 6 speed and about 4800 rpm @ 60 mph in 6th is about right with stock sprockets/tires.

[anoopb]

FML. means I can't find 6th on my bike. is that even possible that it won't shift into 6th?

[BockinBboy]

Yep 6-speed - 1 Down, 5 Up

I can understand not realizing it though - I don't think 'what gear am I in?' anymore... it just sorta happens in the background of my head.  I guess I just know if I'm at a certain rpm and speed, I have X amount clicks to get to whatever rpm and speed I'm heading.  On occasion, I find myself trying to click to an extra top gear though LOL



- Bboy

Edit: You sure noop? Your 60mph at 5k sounds right... 6th (top gear) at 5k rpms should be 62mph indicated, according to the wiki

[anoopb]

Yep 6-speed - 1 Down, 5 Up

I can understand not realizing it though - I don't think 'what gear am I in?' anymore... it just sorta happens in the background of my head.  I guess I just know if I'm at a certain rpm and speed, I have X amount clicks to get to whatever rpm and speed I'm heading.  On occasion, I find myself trying to click to an extra top gear though LOL



- Bboy

Edit: You sure noop? Your 60mph at 5k sounds right... 6th (top gear) at 5k rpms should be 62mph indicated, according to the wiki

I'm probably noobing it real hard but i'm going to find out this evening if i can. Interestingly, I can't shift up past 2nd when the bike is at a stand still. Or maybe it's difficult and I'm not willing to put the proper amount of pressure.

[BockinBboy]

You may need to turn the rear wheel and feather the clutch to get it to shift up.  I roll the bike forward and feather the clutch to get it to continue to shift up or down.

- Bboy

[tmbr_wulf]

If you look at the case next to the gear shifter you should see a diagram of the shift pattern.

[Watcher]

Put it up on the center stand to go through all the gears.


Don't run the bike and put it in gear while on the stand as that is incredibly dangerous, but on the center stand the rear wheel is free to turn so running through the gears while the bike is off should be a lot easier.



Also, be sure you are counting the gears and not the shifts.  If you are riding and think {launch}, ^ 1, ^2, ^3, ^4, ^5, you forgot first gear.  From a stop it should be {launch}, ^2, ^3, ^4, ^5, ^6.



Plus if you said you are hitting 60mph @ ~5000 rpm and Jack said his 60mph is @ ~4800 rpm, do you really think an entire gear is only going to make a 200 rpm difference?  More like a 2000 rpm difference...
You are probably in 6th at that point, 200 rpm can be as small a change as different tires.

[DoktoroKiu]

Also, be sure you are counting the gears and not the shifts.  If you are riding and think {launch}, ^ 1, ^2, ^3, ^4, ^5, you forgot first gear.  From a stop it should be {launch}, ^2, ^3, ^4, ^5, ^6.

Plus if you said you are hitting 60mph @ ~5000 rpm and Jack said his 60mph is @ ~4800 rpm, do you really think an entire gear is only going to make a 200 rpm difference?  More like a 2000 rpm difference...
You are probably in 6th at that point, 200 rpm can be as small a change as different tires.

^^This

I barely ever think to keep track of what gear I'm in, but when I do sometimes I make this mistake and get one-off in my head.

[nathaniel2910]

5k at 60 is right with stock gearing and tyres, well mines a stock uk bike and that's exactly
In 5th the rpm pretty much match the speed  as in 5k-50 6k 60 7k 70

[GS4me]

If you look at the case next to the gear shifter you should see a diagram of the shift pattern.

+1 on that.  Nice little "Cheat Sheet" stamped right there next to the lever on a lot of bikes...

Ps....  What!  You don't have the 8 speed !  You must have the cheaper model GS500 ....