Shifting speeds?

markboy · 06-15-2007, 12:46 PM

I'm sure I'll get plenty of different answers here but...

Assuming you are riding on a level surface, at approximately what speeds are you shifting through the gears? I'm going by feel right now as I have not added an aftermarket tach (and after looking at the cost don't really want to). So I thought I would turn to the folks here to get some feedback. As a starting point, I saw the following on another forum. The speeds look a bit high to me but here they are....

1st -24 mph
2nd -38 mph
3rd - 51 mph
4th - 65 mph
5th - 88+ mph

Note - I'm not looking for the max speed or 'red line' to push each gear through but rather the optimal point to shift.

Dupo · 06-15-2007, 01:55 PM

well these bikes dont go 88, so 5th is just a tad off.

If i remember correctly, i would shift mine:

into 2nd at 20
into 3rd at 30
into 4th at 40-45
into 5th at 50-55

Thats normal riding.

Easy Rider · 06-15-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dupo

well these bikes dont go 88, so 5th is just a tad off.

If i remember correctly, i would shift mine:

into 2nd at 20
into 3rd at 30
into 4th at 40-45
into 5th at 50-55

Thats normal riding.

For you maybe. :roll:
Sounds about right WITH the 16T sprocket.
Stock you could do what you listed but the 'lil pup would be screaming a bit (especially 20 mph in first!)

The list markboy posted are, I believe, red-line or Max. speeds for each gear.

Dupo · 06-15-2007, 05:17 PM

He asked what normal shifting was for the GZ, thats what i provided. Thats where i would normally shift ... flat surface .... riding normally.

That almost matches how i shift my 750cc as well. I dont see the need to scream the RPMs on every gear.

Eeyorebiker · 06-29-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dupo

well these bikes dont go 88, so 5th is just a tad off.

If i remember correctly, i would shift mine:

into 2nd at 20
into 3rd at 30
into 4th at 40-45
into 5th at 50-55

Thats normal riding.

Those speeds are about what I shift at, too.

markboy · 06-30-2007, 01:17 AM

Great to know! Thanks for all your input.

rexolio · 07-27-2008, 01:36 PM

I find that I'm probably shifting at much lower speeds, but it "feels" and sounds right... about like this:

First: 0 - 10
Second: 11 - 20
Third: 21 - 30
Fourth: 31 - 40
Fifth: 40+

Also, I'm really trying to get my mpg's up, so I assume I burn more fuel when I wind out the gears.

Am I wussing out here? :roll:

Doug577 · 07-28-2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexolio

I find that I'm probably shifting at much lower speeds, but it "feels" and sounds right... about like this:

First: 0 - 10
Second: 11 - 20
Third: 21 - 30
Fourth: 31 - 40
Fifth: 40+

That's about where I'm shifting...

Orpheus · 07-28-2008, 03:50 AM

Normally, I shift about where Dupo says, but if I'm saving gas, it's probably a little earlier into 2nd (around 12-15mph) and 5th (around 45). If I'm really winding the gears out, I probably shift into 2nd around 22 and 5th around 55-60, but when I'm conserving gas, it's into 2nd at 12-15, into 3rd at 25-30, into 4th at 40, and 5th at about 45. If I'm cruising along residential streets that I know I'll be on for a while, I shift into 4th at 30mph and that's about the slowest you can go without bogging down the engine.

But I'm still convinced that these bikes each have their own unique personalities.

Jenny · 08-20-2008, 10:43 AM

[quote="rexolio"]I find that I'm probably shifting at much lower speeds, but it "feels" and sounds right... about like this:

First: 0 - 10
Second: 11 - 20
Third: 21 - 30
Fourth: 31 - 40
Fifth: 40+

I'm in similar numbers, but I'm wondering if my 1st gear is just picker than everybody else's. My first gear is so stilted and jumpy that I shift into 2nd immediately after the bike has started moving (if I have to start going into a turn, I have to wait until I'm through the turn, though). I've tried to move in 1st gear, but it's such an uncomfortable ride that I only use it for slow turns in parking lots. I shift to 3rd gear around 20 mph. I'm in 4th gear by 35/40 mph because otherwise the bike whines too much begging to have the gear switched. I don't have a tachometer; I just switch when the bike engine starts telling me to. I haven't personally taken the bike over 40 mph. My partner has told me that he also has my GZ250 in 4th gear by the time he hits 40 mph and was in 5th gear well before 50 mph.

06-15-2007, 12:46 PM	#1
markboy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 31	Shifting speeds? I'm sure I'll get plenty of different answers here but... Assuming you are riding on a level surface, at approximately what speeds are you shifting through the gears? I'm going by feel right now as I have not added an aftermarket tach (and after looking at the cost don't really want to). So I thought I would turn to the folks here to get some feedback. As a starting point, I saw the following on another forum. The speeds look a bit high to me but here they are.... 1st -24 mph 2nd -38 mph 3rd - 51 mph 4th - 65 mph 5th - 88+ mph Note - I'm not looking for the max speed or 'red line' to push each gear through but rather the optimal point to shift. __________________ _______________________ Still learning... and loving it! Redmond, WA Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-15-2007, 01:55 PM	#2
Dupo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Allentown, Pa Posts: 1,255	well these bikes dont go 88, so 5th is just a tad off. If i remember correctly, i would shift mine: into 2nd at 20 into 3rd at 30 into 4th at 40-45 into 5th at 50-55 Thats normal riding. __________________ Photography Gallery *updated url - new site! Motorcycle Blog Facebook
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06-15-2007, 05:17 PM	#4
Dupo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Allentown, Pa Posts: 1,255	He asked what normal shifting was for the GZ, thats what i provided. Thats where i would normally shift ... flat surface .... riding normally. That almost matches how i shift my 750cc as well. I dont see the need to scream the RPMs on every gear. __________________ Photography Gallery *updated url - new site! Motorcycle Blog Facebook
	0

06-30-2007, 01:17 AM	#6
markboy Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 31	Great to know! Thanks for all your input. __________________ _______________________ Still learning... and loving it! Redmond, WA
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07-27-2008, 01:36 PM	#7
rexolio Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Woodstock, GA Posts: 58	My shifting seems much lower... I find that I'm probably shifting at much lower speeds, but it "feels" and sounds right... about like this: First: 0 - 10 Second: 11 - 20 Third: 21 - 30 Fourth: 31 - 40 Fifth: 40+ Also, I'm really trying to get my mpg's up, so I assume I burn more fuel when I wind out the gears. Am I wussing out here? :roll: __________________ rexolio Rex White Woodstock, GA Owner of 2006 GZ250 since June 2008 - Yup, I'm a newbie!
	1

07-28-2008, 03:50 AM	#9
Orpheus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Arizona, Tempe Posts: 174	Normally, I shift about where Dupo says, but if I'm saving gas, it's probably a little earlier into 2nd (around 12-15mph) and 5th (around 45). If I'm really winding the gears out, I probably shift into 2nd around 22 and 5th around 55-60, but when I'm conserving gas, it's into 2nd at 12-15, into 3rd at 25-30, into 4th at 40, and 5th at about 45. If I'm cruising along residential streets that I know I'll be on for a while, I shift into 4th at 30mph and that's about the slowest you can go without bogging down the engine. But I'm still convinced that these bikes each have their own unique personalities.
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08-20-2008, 10:43 AM	#10
Jenny Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 55	Re: My shifting seems much lower... [quote="rexolio"]I find that I'm probably shifting at much lower speeds, but it "feels" and sounds right... about like this: First: 0 - 10 Second: 11 - 20 Third: 21 - 30 Fourth: 31 - 40 Fifth: 40+ I'm in similar numbers, but I'm wondering if my 1st gear is just picker than everybody else's. My first gear is so stilted and jumpy that I shift into 2nd immediately after the bike has started moving (if I have to start going into a turn, I have to wait until I'm through the turn, though). I've tried to move in 1st gear, but it's such an uncomfortable ride that I only use it for slow turns in parking lots. I shift to 3rd gear around 20 mph. I'm in 4th gear by 35/40 mph because otherwise the bike whines too much begging to have the gear switched. I don't have a tachometer; I just switch when the bike engine starts telling me to. I haven't personally taken the bike over 40 mph. My partner has told me that he also has my GZ250 in 4th gear by the time he hits 40 mph and was in 5th gear well before 50 mph.
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