Hey guys,
@ what rpm do you guys usually change gears? I know for my car I usually check the manual...

is there a recommended rpm to change gears for the gs500? I've got a 2004...

I just started riding and I'm finding I usually go around 4000rpm..

Its in the manual for the GS too. Do you have one? 4K is Ok. It depends on you really... I go up to about 7-8 in spirited riding, 4-5 around town 8+ out in the twisys 

yep.. once you get the feel of your bike.. when you ride it alot.. its not even the rpm range anymore.. its the sound.   but for beginning around 4-6k for me.

Whenever you need to.

Spin higher when you want to go, lower when you tool around.

Keep the revs low until the bike is warm.

alright, thanks guys...

bought my bike second hand so it didnt come with manual... needed to consult

I'm kinda lazy so I will shift as least as possible so 7-9.5 is me prefered shift location. The bike can rev higer than 4k the powerband won't come in until 5k so have some fun cars and bikes arnt the same my truck I would shift at 4k redline was 5.5k.

same with me mach no point in having an 11k redline and shifting at 4k have fun just dont goto 11k or youll be working on it..lol

Yeah, like everyone else says, shift when you need to. When I'm just riding down the road, I typically shift early to keep the revs down and get a bit better mileage... When I'm in heavy traffic, I tend to shift later so I have more power available if I need to suddenly speed up and also more engine braking if I need to slow down. Just ride the bike a lot and it will become second nature. At first you'll be doing things like counting gears and staring at the tach, but in time you'll stop concisely keeping track of either and just ride.

I don't have a speedo or tach installed right now and have not had one for a few months too lazy to finish the mounting bracket so riding by ear is all I have once hear those valves float its time to shift j/k but take is slow and have fun