MPH and RPMs for shifting into gears

[swuziq]

Thanks everyone! This helps me a lot for suer.. I will check out Grasshopper in Beloit, too about the seat. And Arther.. glad you got all of your modifications done and you are finally comfortable. Problem with the Spyder I want, they don't have risers for the RT models, only RS... but there will be something that will work. I hope!!! Sure wish Can-Am would put something out there to help us short people to be able to get closer to the handlebars and be able to sit up comfortably. A Spyder for smaller people would be the cat's meow.. but there isn't one out there now and I want one now..
I will definitely learn to go by the RPMs.. Sounds like the answer there..
Thanks again everyone.

[flybuddy]

Is the gearing ratios different on a manual? Those seem high to me, 4th gear seems to be winding up in the low 40s.

[Bob Denman]

They're the same...
Shifting from 3rd to 4th sat about 38 to 40 mph.
Shifting into 5th at about 48 mph...

[Illinois Boy]

Is the gearing ratios different on a manual? Those seem high to me, 4th gear seems to be winding up in the low 40s.

Not sure if there is a difference... but if so, I would assume it is not that far-off.

Also not sure what you mean by your statement of 4th gear winding-up in the 40's... but all my references are regarding an RTS-SE5 only. I cannot verify for any other model.

Clutch slippage occurs at RPM's of less than about 3500 RPM's. Anything less than that then your clutch is not seating itself all the way and is causing some slippage. Any slippage causes wear.

It should be a rare occurrence that you ever run your Spyder at anything below 4,000; and preferably anything above 4,300 RPM's. If you are, then downshift until the RPM's get back above 4,300. Most times for me... it is always running between 4900 to 5500 RPM's and runs like a top.

Give it a shot if you are not...

[A1A]

I'm very new to the RTS-SE5, but have observed a couple of things about the spyder engine. The 998cc engine makes 100 HP @ 7,500 RPM & Maximum Torque of 80 FT. LBS. @ 5000 RPM. I believe these numbers are net readings measured at the crank.
It is my opinion that the optimum shift point should be at Max. engine torque of 5,000 rpm. Which will keep the engine in the maximum power band while shifting up through the gears. I would not criuse in 5th gear below 4,500 rpm. I always downshift to 4th gear going up hill if the RPMS start dropping below 4,500 RPM. I believe at lower speeds in town using the lower gears 2nd & 3rd cruising at 3,000 to 3,500 RPM works fine.
All information is my opinion, rider only and with empty luggage.

[Bob Denman]

The 998cc engine makes 100 HP @ 7,500 RPM & Maximum Torque of 80 FT. LBS. @ 5000 RPM. I believe these numbers are net readings measured at the crank.
It is my opinion that the optimum shift point should be at Max. engine torque of 5,000 rpm. Which will keep the engine in the maximum power band while shifting up through the gears.

No doubt; shifting where that Twin is making it's bones is the key to best performance...
But are looking for maximum acceleration at all times and from every stop?
Scotty posted that the clutch is locking up fully at 3200 rpm, so max life for that pricey jewel can only happen if you don't let it slip too much. (and heat up!)
Shifting at 4000 rpm brings you out the other side at about 3500 rpm... good enough for this slowpoke!

[Illinois Boy]

But are looking for maximum acceleration at all times and from every stop?

Bob, you have asked this a couple times on threads. You might be assuming I pull-out from every stop going like a bat out of... well... you know.

I am not doing that. Quite the contrary.

Just because someone shifts at or near 5100 RPM's doesn't mean they are going real fast to get there. When I drive around town I still don't shift until the RPM's get to that point. Any earlier shifting is too low of RPM's for me and my Spyder. I simply run in each gear considerably further up in MPH and RPM than you do... and again will suggest you try it also. I still think you are lugging your Spyder too much at your shift speeds. Just my opinion.

Around my town when doing 45 MPH or less I never see 4th gear. 2nd and 3rd gear work perfect in that speed-range. Any higher gear than that lugs the engine far too much for my taste. I can hear it and feel it. I have put my references down in several posts, and stand by them still.

Just my one and one-half cents...

[MangoMike]

Just to add to this, I too only watch my tach, and shift between 4-5 K, generally closer to 4. I find this easy to remember, and easy to watch on the gauges.

Mike