What is a comfortable cruising RPM for the GS500? I know it depends on speed and gear, but I know I have no clue... but have been shooting in the 5,500 range (anything in the 4k range sounds like its dying and 6k+ (at lower speeds) sounds bad too)... but I am sure I am completely jaded by lack of experience and not really having a clue.

Why I decided to finally post this was when looking through the manual, which I do not have in front of me, I swear it said I should be shifting from second into third at 25mph! I guess that is not as off from my experience as I first thought, but at that speed on flat ground in third it sounds bubbly like it wants more revs .

I saw the maximum RPMs chart listed and figured I would post this for some more clarification.

By the way, loving the GS (and my first bike). Put on over 600 miles in two weeks of Seattle weather. Guess I need to buy some chain wax .

I generally shift at around 5500rpm unless I want to develop some more power.
From first to second I almost always do it above that, about ~7000rpm

For quietly cruising mine rpm's spins in 5000-5500 range. I think this is most god and economical rmp's range for gs.
In city when i dont need much acceleration and saving my gas I'm running on 3000-5000 rpm.

My bikes love to run in the 4k  range. Rarely above that except on the freeway or above 40 mph.
When tooling around Alki Beach, they love 3k-4k range going 20mph to 35mph.

Every bike has its own personality and preferences.

4th gear, 4k
5th gear, 4k-5.5k
6th gear, 5k-5.5k

Anything in 3rd is not cruising. Anything below sees slight engine lugging, specially in 6th

As you're new to the bike, change Up between 5k and 5.5k until you get used to the bike and can then make more subtle regalements with Your bike.

Michael

If the Rpm drops below 3500 I grab a lower gear, ideally if you kept above 4000 Rpm life is grand. The amount of acceleration/response you want decides if you shift at 5K,6K,7K,8K,9K,10K or 11K when upshifting  

EDIT: If your bike shudder's under the twist of the wrist, you are in too high of a gear. So ANY Rpm above shuddering and below redline is the correct answer to the question  

Quote from: Vova on March 26, 2011, 10:46:50 PM
What is a comfortable cruising RPM for the GS500? I know it depends on speed and gear, but I know I have no clue... but have been shooting in the 5,500 range (anything in the 4k range sounds like its dying and 6k+ (at lower speeds) sounds bad too)... but I am sure I am completely jaded by lack of experience and not really having a clue.

Why I decided to finally post this was when looking through the manual, which I do not have in front of me, I swear it said I should be shifting from second into third at 25mph! I guess that is not as off from my experience as I first thought, but at that speed on flat ground in third it sounds bubbly like it wants more revs .

I saw the maximum RPMs chart listed and figured I would post this for some more clarification.

By the way, loving the GS (and my first bike). Put on over 600 miles in two weeks of Seattle weather. Guess I need to buy some chain wax .

I think the comfortable cruising RPM for the GS500 is between 3500 and 5000...obviously if you are wanting to cruise at 130kph (80mph) your RPM will be higher, somewhere around 6500-6700...but for average cruising around the city or down the back roads 3500-5000 is the range to aim for...5000 RPM in 6th gear will get you 100kph (60mph)

I think we are all basically giving you similar answers...

Later.

my gear selection and RPMs play a hugeeee role in my fuel efficiency. Personally, my bike is comfortable to cruise around 4000 and doing so will get me to about 60 mpg. Sometimes I'll ride a lot more aggressively at I'll end up in the high 40mpg.

Feel it out and don't let your bike get complacent haha

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on March 27, 2011, 08:57:21 AM
If the Rpm drops below 3500 I grab a lower gear, ideally if you kept above 4000 Rpm life is grand. The amount of acceleration/response you want decides if you shift at 5K,6K,7K,8K,9K,10K or 11K when upshifting  

EDIT: If your bike shudder's under the twist of the wrist, you are in too high of a gear. So ANY Rpm above shuddering and below redline is the correct answer to the question  

That's a real good answer...the shift point "depends"  (on what you are trying to accomplish at the moment)

The GS seems to be happy at a wide range of RPM.....and add 6 gears to that....you have a lot of choices...

The trade off is performance vs fuel economy......when I got my '09 I followed the break in RPM suggested in the manual and surprisingly got 67 to 70 MPG on those first few tanks of gas....

Now that the bike is broken in and I feel comfortable being a little more aggressive, my mileage drops to like 55 MPG

I am sure I could make it worse too....I occasionally do my "long ride to work on weekends" and keep the rpm down a little and long stretches at 55 mph without changing speed at all, and I can still get 67 MPG...

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