Whole lotta questions

[Vinizio]

Good morning fellas,

Quick question, when I drove to work this morning I got a little trigger happy and gave a little gas a bit too soon. The bike was I guess pretty cold still and the clutch slipped. \
My question: is this really due to the cold, I was driving for around 7 minutes through a dense populated area. Was the bike still cold? Or ar the plates worn out (had this with my previous bike which was a Buddha Loves You to replace)? And does the clutch slippage harm the bike? I try to be very gentle with her. And another question real quick: at what RPM do you guys normally shift gear?

Thanks in advance 

[Kookas]

Good morning fellas,

Quick question, when I drove to work this morning I got a little trigger happy and gave a little gas a bit too soon. The bike was I guess pretty cold still and the clutch slipped. \
My question: is this really due to the cold, I was driving for around 7 minutes through a dense populated area. Was the bike still cold? Or ar the plates worn out (had this with my previous bike which was a Buddha Loves You to replace)? And does the clutch slippage harm the bike? I try to be very gentle with her. And another question real quick: at what RPM do you guys normally shift gear?

Thanks in advance 

What oil are you using?

When you shift depends on if you're trying to be economical or get the most out of it. I shift between 5-6k if I'm being sensible. 9-10k if there's another bike alongside me at the lights (if warm, of course!). Oh, it does take longer than 7 minutes to warm up though, especially if the densely populated area has a lot of traffic.

[qcbaker]

The bike was I guess pretty cold still and the clutch slipped.
Is this really due to the cold?

Hard to say. What oil are you using? How many miles on the bike? When was the last time you performed a 3-point clutch adjustment?

I was driving for around 7 minutes through a dense populated area. Was the bike still cold?

Yes. This bike can take up to 15 minutes of riding to fully warm up.

Or are the plates worn out?

I can't tell you if your clutch plates are worn. See the answer to your first question.

And does the clutch slippage harm the bike? I try to be very gentle with her.

Other than increased wear on the clutch itself, no it shouldn't harm the bike.

And another question real quick: at what RPM do you guys normally shift gear?

Depends on the kind of riding I'm doing. If I'm just riding to work or something, I'll shift around 5-6K. If I'm having fun on a twisty backroad I'll usually shift around 9K, since that's right after peak HP on these bikes.

[rscottlow]

How many miles are on the bike/clutch plates? If the clutch is slipping when cold, it sounds like it's more likely the oil. It also could be as simple as adjusting the clutch.

I tend to shift around 6K unless I'm really getting after it. I know some people ride more conservatively and shift at lower RPMs, but 6K feels about right for me on most days.

[mr72]

I tend to shift around 6K unless I'm really getting after it. I know some people ride more conservatively and shift at lower RPMs, but 6K feels about right for me on most days.

Same here. Sometimes I run it up to 7K. Rolling around the neighborhood at <40mph maybe I shift at 5K. Rarely go above 7K but occasionally I am merging with traffic or need to get out of the way quickly and I'll hit 9K on a 1-2 or 2-3 shift. I'm not sure I've ever revved it above 9K.

[Kookas]

The bike doesn't hit peak torque until about 9K. It's not really until then that you feel the bike start to really pull.

Don't bother revving it over that though, as the torque actually drops off from there and above 10K rpm you'll start to hear the valves float (definitely not a pleasant sound!).

[J_Walker]

did 500 miles on my GS yesterday, WHOOA my butthurts! a good potion was on a highway at right below redline [no tach any more.. so not exactly sure and everything sounds like wind and engine noise at above 80mph] doing 100mph for a good 30 or so plus miles. besides the fact I should of stuck some straight up gear oil in the engine... [ate that 10w40 quart like every 150miles @ WOT] lol didn't really hear much valve float, and its pretty obvious the top end of my engine is GONE. . .

As far as clutch slipping, check the routing of the clutch cable. make sure it's not "pulling" when you're turning the bars a bit.

I killed my first GS motor running it low on oil 3 times [seriously what is with these things, just my luck?] ended up with a roasty bottom end, how ever the clutch plates weren't even that lovely "tan" or "blue" color or warped. and the pads where still "useable" by my standards. albeit however low those are.