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Sixth gear in a headwind

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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 11:19 AM
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Woods 555 cams made my bike a different machine in regard to shifting and when 6th gear is useful. Used to never use it under 80 mph, now I use it at 70+ and never touch 5th gear.

I also find myself shifting the bike a little sooner than before.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 12:11 PM
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I was really impressed with the M8 shifting and transmission. That being said, someone once told me that the 6th gear should only be used at speeds above 70 MPH on the TC's.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 01:07 PM
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Personally, I think if you're shifting by the speedometer or the tachometer, you're doing it wrong. I shift by ear - by the sound of the motor. Tach and speedo quotes are "guidelines".
 
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 01:45 PM
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Heck, I don't shift to fifth until I am maintaining 60mph, so 65 would barely be a 5th gear for me. Heavy wind or uphill I may still be in 4th. For my bike, 3000 rpm is the sweet spot for me to engine brake some or roll on the speed with excellent response.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 02:15 PM
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I use the tach as a guideline but I also use my ear... if I hear it's even close to lugging I downshift real fast.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Notgrownup
I use the tach as a guideline but I also use my ear... if I hear it's even close to lugging I downshift real fast.
I worry less...
 
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by QNman
I worry less...
After 98000 miles I am starting to know the sound of my bike...a little anyway
 
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Notgrownup
After 98000 miles I am starting to know the sound of my bike...a little anyway
Right on!
 
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Notgrownup
After 98000 miles I am starting to know the sound of my bike...a little anyway
Just behind you. 97k
 
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Old Aug 1, 2017 | 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by MilesOfTexas
Just behind you. 97k
And I'm right behind YOU at 9.4K!! Wait...
 
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