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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas
Posts: 54
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Red Lining
If you don't have a tach, how do you know if you are?
I am currently commuting this fall to class about 25 min away. I am not wanting to damage the bike. I know height, weight, hills, wind affect speed, but how do I know if I am running it too hard? Just trying to be careful. There is one stretch for five miles where it's low traffic and still only two lane, but 65mph. I'm 6ft, 200 pounds. Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: P.E.I. Canada
Posts: 3,784
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Re: Red Lining
In 5th gear,at 50 MPH you are reving about 5000 RPM,at 60 MPH about 6000 RPM, and 70 MPH about 7000 RPM.
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: HoCo, Maryland
Posts: 1,349
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Re: Red Lining
...And in 4th gear, you can get up to 65 (stock 15 tooth front sprocket) at 8000 rpm, but I wouldn't do it for long.
The official redline is 9,000 rpm as far as I know.
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2005 "Saturn Black", stock + tach Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas
Posts: 54
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Re: Red Lining
The odd thing is that since I went out driving tonight the sound of the ngine has changed (in town) in went from its normal throaty sound, to a much lighter, quieter, and tinny sound and I can't figure out why. I was pretty low on gas and I have just put some B-12 Carb Cleaner into the last tank run through, other than that I am hoping I haven't done something.
On RPM terms, there have been a couple times I have been in 5th gear and full throttle, only at a top of 70 mph, but in the wind sometimes it take giving it all she's got to maintain speed and get over some light hills. Thanks for info so far, any other info would be appreciated, just trying to protect the bike. |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas
Posts: 54
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Re: Red Lining
I wanted to add that outside the wind as a resistant, the roads are 99% totally flat. Right now my main concern is the sudden change in engine sound. It is much cooler outside tonight as well for the first time in two months. Just trying to figure out if I have a problem or if I broke something with highway driving...
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#6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tenerife (Spain)
Posts: 3,719
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Re: Red Lining
I've just bought a new helmet. Same as my old one, but a much snugger fit, because the lining hasn't had time to squash up. The engine sounds MUCH different. Like a different bike, in fact.
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__________________
By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman. |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Kansas
Posts: 54
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Re: Red Lining
I'm talking about my engine sound without a a helmet on, has changed dramatically to a lighter, tinny, and less powerful sound though I notice no power loss.
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#8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: P.E.I. Canada
Posts: 3,784
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Re: Red Lining
Quote:
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#9 |
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Dalton, GA
Posts: 3,996
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Re: Red Lining
Bikes do change sound overtime.
I'll agree with Blaine, here. A good hot run on the interstate, coupled with a tank of carb cleaner and some age on the bike probably broke off some specs of carbon. The engine is probably running like it should now. These things were never known to be throaty speed demons ![]() And for what it's worth, the 70mph into a headwind part is just about as fast as you're going to be going. If you spend much time on the interstate, I would recommend a 16T sprocket change, simply to keep engine revs down a bit. The change is easy enough. If you see a time when you won't be commuting as much, drop back to the 15 if you want. I just kept it in there. |
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#10 |
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Dalton, GA
Posts: 3,996
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Re: Red Lining
Some handy reading for you:
Speed for Gears - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4675&hilit=speed+chart 16T sprocket "How-to" - viewtopic.php?f=8&t=317 |
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