Bike check ups.

[dan_]

With the stock gearing, not using 5th is kind of a shame.....unless you are staying under 40 mph.

So.. if I only use fifth gear when im going over 65mph this is a bad thing?

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

I live in Anaheim Hills, and, well, it's hilly (go figure.) It's nestled on the side of the Santa Ana Canyon and it is also frequently windy (perhaps you've heard of the "Santa Ana" wind conditions, or seen our houses burning up on the telly.) So, between the hills and the wind, I like fourth. 5th is okay if you get a long, flat straightaway.

I think you are right about the redline on the Strat. FWIW, about 2800-2900 rpm's in 5th on the Strat = 70+ mph. 4500-5000 is gonna be over 100 mph I think.

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by dan_

So.. if I only use fifth gear when im going over 65mph this is a bad thing?

That's pretty close to my experience, although, if I'm out on a flat country road, I'll go into 5th sooner. On hills or the freeway, I generally just leave it in fourth so I don't have to keep dropping it down for every rise in the road.

[Moedad]

I'm on flat ground mostly with mine and I use 5th all the time. If I'm only going 40, I'll leave it in 4th, but most of the time 40 is just a number on the way to 50 and above.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by patrick_777

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't the idle setting only affect the bike at idle? How would it make the bike actually ride better at speed, or with the throttle even cracked open? Other than affecting performance in stop & go traffic, I don't really get this.

Well, yes, of course you are (mostly) right. Except for smoothing out the engine braking when you chop the throttle, it mostly improves the "launch". :cool:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by dan_

So.. if I only use fifth gear when im going over 65mph this is a bad thing?

Yes. :skull:

Running the engine at (or very near) red-line all the time (also known as WFO) strains the engine and contributes to premature failure. OK for climbing an occasional long hill but NOT all the time.

[dan_]

Well most of the time i stay in 4th gear going between 55 and 60 mph. I rarely ever go above 60 (last thing i need is another ticket) Is this to much strain? I can get up to like 68 in 4th before it sounds like its gonna explode.. Which im guessing is redline..Only did this once...okay maybe twice.. Anybody put a tach on their GZ? What MPH do you guys switch to 5th?

[music man]

Well I don't have a tach on my bike but I can tell you that on mine at 68 mph in 5TH GEAR sounds like it is pretty much WFO, I couldn't imagine what it would sound like in fourth at that speed.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by dan_

Well most of the time i stay in 4th gear going between 55 and 60 mph. I rarely ever go above 60 (last thing i need is another ticket) Is this to much strain?

Yes....no.....maybe!
The question is: Why ??

Unless you are in a situation like Alan, with some adverse riding conditions, like significant hills, why NOT shift to 5th?

The little beast will pull moderate hills in 5th at 60 and will even tollerate a moderate headwind.
I usually shift to 5th around 45, unless I'm in a hurry or bucking a serious wind........and I have a higher final drive ratio with a 16T front sprocket.

5th gear is there for a reason; use it when you can.

[JWR]

I always use 5th gear. If I really need to get up to speed I will use 4th up to 60 or 65.
Mine will also go about 70 in 4th.

I have never had a day that I don't usually hit 75 on it.

I have a 16 tooth sprocket ordered, should be in by the middle of next week.