Say in a 50 MPH speed zone, you are running in the 3,000 RPM range in 5th gear, and you hit a 30 MPH zone. Would you downshift or just throttle back and just run at lower RPM?
Hope the question is clear.
Ray & Marci
Tenino, WA
2014RTL Cognac
ALWAYS ride 2 up.
I just let my SE transmission decide that. Except when approaching a full stop from speed, I downshift much earlier than the automatic, to use more engine braking.
The SE model does not allow you to run outside the "safe" RPM range, on either the high or the low end. For the SM model, ignore this post.
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I'm the "Lowest & Slowest " guy in here...
The bike will automatically downshift from 6th to 5th at 34 mph.
I let the SE handle the chores of deciding when to kick it down a notch or two.
I'm the "Lowest & Slowest " guy in here...
The bike will automatically downshift from 6th to 5th at 34 mph.
I let the SE handle the chores of deciding when to kick it down a notch or two.
..... However it's more than just RPM's ....on the flat and on a hill it's different ..... Flats, the SE will downshift at about 2200 rpm = 33-34 mph this is 6th to 5th ....I haven't done the other gears, but 2200 seems to be avg RPM's for minimum downshifts ............hope this helps ........ The Manual Trans I'm sure is different because it's possible to LUG the trans which isn't a good idea ..... Mike
Yup! This info is for the "ESSIE" only.
The downshifting programming for this transmission is pretty darn amazing.
I have a corner by me that is a level, flat 90 degree turn...
I can roll through the turn in top gear (at 34 mph...); if I'm careful in how I coast into it.
But if I tap the brakes: it'll drop me a gear or two; depending on how hard I'm actually braking.
It depends on how you ride and whether you're uphill or down as Mike said
The flat torque curve on the 1330 is truly amazing down to 2800 RPM and you can pull comfortably down to the 3000 RM range (Unless you're passing a truck)
On a 45 MPH rated sweeping ESS curve near the house, I usually pull the paddle back to drop to 5th gear when I enter the curve below 3000 PM, and that lets me roll throttle on coming out of the curve.
Of course if the local LEO is watching I'm probably in trouble...
Last edited by AeroPilot; 08-20-2018 at 09:00 AM.
07 Shadows, Aero, Spirit gone but not forgotten
03 Harley Sportster, 07 RK moved on
11 RT- 76,000 mi, 15 RT-S- 44,000 mi, traded for current 15 base RT and 16 F3T
After reading again your question "Say in a 50 MPH speed zone, you are running in the 3,000 RPM range in 5th gear, and you hit a 30 MPH zone. Would you downshift or just throttle back and just run at lower RPM?"
We slow down through a lot of small towns in eastern CO and western KS and usually let the SE6 downshift to 5th to get below the 40-45 speed signs, but then I usually "tap down" again to get to the 30-35 MPH rated signs. This leaves me running smooth through town at more than 3000 RPM ready to accelerate when the speed returns to 35, 55, 65 whatever....
Short answer- I keep the RPMs above 3000 unless coming up to a Red Light or Stop Sign. Hope this helps.
07 Shadows, Aero, Spirit gone but not forgotten
03 Harley Sportster, 07 RK moved on
11 RT- 76,000 mi, 15 RT-S- 44,000 mi, traded for current 15 base RT and 16 F3T
Am I interpreting some inputs correctly if I say that because automatic downshift occurs "around" 2100 RPM (which believe it or not I hadn't experienced in quite a while because of my habit of always downshifting to be safe on RPM, and actually forgot about automatic until now !), then we can run safely at any RPM above 2100 and not cause problems - except DON'T LUG IT ! - which I never do.
Above make sense I promise not to dwell on it
Ray & Marci
Tenino, WA
2014RTL Cognac
ALWAYS ride 2 up.
Bottom line: the SE version of the transmission will downshift for you if you do not. Its in that 1,900 - 2,500 range. I usually run 5th gear at 50 and get the 3,000 range that most have mentioned.
On one of our 50 mph rides, we have a 35 mph section of more scenic that we turn off on. I usually go to 4th gear for that section.
For the upshifting part, I feel my 1330 is happiest when operated between 3000 - 3500 for most applications. Since 65 mph likes 6th gear mine is very happy cruising at 68 to 70. I do not exceed five above posted in most cases because that gets the attention from the radar boys which are out a lot here.
Mileage does not matter, but I get consistent 39 - 41 and on 87 octane.
Last edited by ARtraveler; 08-20-2018 at 01:37 PM.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Yes. Mine is quite happy at 2500 in any gear......and will "roll on" from there comfortably.
If you keep a tiny bit of throttle on it, it will still be happy down to around 2000.
That is why the downshift point is where it IS. Below that and it isn't too happy......and won't stay there long.
P.S. A substantial amount of compression braking happens even if you do NOT manually down shift.
Just close the throttle and see how it feels.
It works fine for me.
I seldom use the brakes and almost never manually downshift.
I do "tap" the pedal often though to light the stop lights.
The flat torque curve on the 1330 is truly amazing down to 2800 RPM and you can pull comfortably down to the 3000 RM range (Unless you're passing a truck)
On a 45 MPH rated sweeping ESS curve near the house, I usually pull the paddle back to drop to 5th gear when I enter the curve below 3000 PM, and that lets me roll throttle on coming out of the curve.
Yep- Looking for the 1330 Engine Torque Graphic and got the wrong "torque"
Originally Posted by teninospyder
I assume the bolt torque table is a "leftover_
Yes I couldn't figure out how to edit and delete an attachment....
07 Shadows, Aero, Spirit gone but not forgotten
03 Harley Sportster, 07 RK moved on
11 RT- 76,000 mi, 15 RT-S- 44,000 mi, traded for current 15 base RT and 16 F3T
Am I interpreting some inputs correctly if I say that because automatic downshift occurs "around" 2100 RPM (which believe it or not I hadn't experienced in quite a while because of my habit of always downshifting to be safe on RPM, and actually forgot about automatic until now !), then we can run safely at any RPM above 2100 and not cause problems - except DON'T LUG IT ! - which I never do.
Above make sense I promise not to dwell on it
#1.- the SE trans ...CANNOT ..be lugged,( Not even in first gear ) it's design prevents that possibility ..........#2. lugging can occur with ..MANUAL Trans. ...ONLY ................Mike
Easy now: there's no need to start a pissing match. It only gets the rest of us wet!
Besides: the SE will drop you back to a lower gear at just about where the meat of the engine will be most useful.
It drops you back to 5th at about 34 mph...
4th shows up to the game at 28 mph...
What sort of conditions would make the engine lug at those speeds?
I'm going to throw the BS card... provisionally!
Als… tell us more about the conditions that you are creating!
Last edited by Bob Denman; 08-20-2018 at 05:28 PM.
I disagree!! I have been on hills and applied throttle and felt it start to lug.
Has been done!!
als
I absolutely agree .... in the higher gears ......applying excessive throttle will temporarily cause LUGGING ..... But intelligent riders DON'T DO THIS !!!!..... The Rotax engine is quite strong , but the fool who applies full throttle while in neutral should be AMAZED that the engine BLOWS UP....... If when you post an answer you must include every possibility .... I would still be answering my First reply from 2012 ..... Mike
How slow do you go ??
Ray & Marci 
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
..... However it's more than just RPM's ....on the flat and on a hill it's different ..... Flats, the SE will downshift at about 2200 rpm = 33-34 mph this is 6th to 5th ....I haven't done the other gears, but 2200 seems to be avg RPM's for minimum downshifts ............hope this helps ........ The Manual Trans I'm sure is different because it's possible to LUG the trans which isn't a good idea ..... Mike 
!), then we can run safely at any RPM above 2100 and not cause problems - except DON'T LUG IT ! - which I never do. 
