Just throwing out a general question after reading that rear tire post. I was wondering when all of you shift gears on your bike? I understand it's not at the same point all the time; sometimes you ride harder than other times, but I guess just in general. I know around town I'm usually in 3rd, but I've also taken off like a bat out of hell, and didn't even know what gear I was in at what speeds. I just "feel" and "listen" to the engine, and she usually tells me when it's time to go up. I THINK the hardest I've ridden her was 75 in 4th...She was ready to shift at that point. I say think, because I'm not sure if that's the "hardest" she's been riden, but that's the only time I ever looked down at the speedo, and figured out what gear I was in.

I think I usually ride, around town, like a granny, but not an old granny, I guess you'd call it more of a GILF

Just throwing it out there...Reply if ya want!

 

When I hit the rev limiter.

Just kidding.

 

Since I have no tach or speedo, I just go by feel......I do not lug my motor in any gear and the rev limiter will let me know if I cross the line..

 

When I hit the rev limiter.

Just kiddin.

oops double post.

 

...when the gas builds up and I'm in pain, I shift to the right and let er ripppppppppppppppppp.


Just listen to/"feel" the engine and then shift. Usually shift at lower RPM's when cruising and riding in traffic.

 

Usually on a normal cruise I shift into2nd and 3rd at 2500 rpm, 4th and 5th at 3000.

 

I saw automatic dynas at a vendors tent this weekend at Las Vegas bikefest. They looked kinda goofy to me

[IMG]local://upfiles/28108/8EB3B43531A846AE98BD2D6280C2E8DB.jpg[/IMG]

 

No tach or gear indicator (other than 6th) so I shift by feel.

 

Depends what kind of mood I'm in? Sometimes I like really feelin' & hearin' the engine work & I leave it in gear a little longer than probabaly what I should. Other times I really like hearin' her "put-put-put-put-put" along & change gears a bit earlier than what I should.

When it comes to this type of question, I personally don't believe there's no real, one, trueanswer...it's all in the rider & how he/she likes to ride (IMO).

 

No expert here but better a little late shift than too much early I've always heard. Lugging the tranny is not good for it.

There are recommendations in the owner's manual, of course, but who goes by that. I've driven manual transmissions off and on all my lift and have learned to shift by the sound of the motor. That's one reason I never wear ear plugs.