Do I harm my Spyder's engine if I shift at higher RPMs?

[CA-SPYDR]

Before I ever started ryding my Can-Am Spyder, I read the do's and don'ts document on the forum. Tons of GREAT information and saved me some time and frustration.

I have a 2018 RTL, and according to the document, shifting points should be between 2500-3000 rpm.

However, I find that it's more natural to the way I ryde to shift gears at around 3,500 rpm (especially in the twisty roads - it gives me more power and control).

The question is - am I harming my engine by doing so?

Thank you for sharing your opinion!

[fulltimer]

I am still riding a 998 but I do know that good engineering and constant mesh transmissions wouldn't object to that modest increase in RPM, under any form of reasonable throttle at all. I wouldn't necessarily recommend 6000 RPM and full throttle but your speed sounds pretty reasonable to me.

[KosherKid]

IMHO, No. I have a 2016 RT-S and I routinely shift at about 3500 and cruise at about 2500-3000. I like the power at those values.

YMMV.
Dave

[ARtraveler]

Before I ever started ryding my Can-Am Spyder, I read the do's and don'ts document on the forum. Tons of GREAT information and saved me some time and frustration.

I have a 2018 RTL, and according to the document, shifting points should be between 2500-3000 rpm.

However, I find that it's more natural to the way I ryde to shift gears at around 3,500 rpm (especially in the twisty roads - it gives me more power and control).

The question is - am I harming my engine by doing so?

Thank you for sharing your opinion!

You are doing it right. No harm to be done unless you constantly get close to red-line. I find that 3000 - 3500 is right in my 1330's "sweet spot." I always keep the revs there. At low 50's, I never get above 5th gear. 60 + is for 6th. :thumbup:

[spyderider1]

I doubt if you're harming the engine in any way. You might notice lesser miles per gallon which may harm you wallet.;)

[CA-SPYDR]

I doubt if you're harming the engine in any way. You might notice lesser miles per gallon which may harm you wallet.;)

I did notice that :-)

[CA-SPYDR]

Thank you! you put my mind at ease :)



You are doing it right. No harm to be done unless you constantly get close to red-line. I find that 3000 - 3500 is right in my 1330's "sweet spot." I always keep the revs there. At low 50's, I never get above 5th gear. 60 + is for 6th. :thumbup:

[Bob Denman]

Relax: you won't hurt it a bit! :thumbup:

Go enjoy your ride!

[ARtraveler]

Which brings up another point: ECO Mode.

I do not use it. ECO will keep you in the lower revs (right where the OP was recommended to operate). When I first got my 2014--I tried it faithfully for a full tank. Shifted when told, etc. I found the mileage savings to be about 1 mpg.

Not worth the distraction of watching for the green arrow, and not enough to affect the pocketbook drastically. The disadvantage, you have more power in the higher revs. However, the 1330 does have much better lower rev torque than the 998. That one comes alive at 5500 plus.

[HayRog]

Which brings up another point: ECO Mode.

I do not use it. ECO will keep you in the lower revs (right where the OP was recommended to operate). When I first got my 2014--I tried it faithfully for a full tank. Shifted when told, etc. I found the mileage savings to be about 1 mpg.

Not worth the distraction of watching for the green arrow, and not enough to affect the pocketbook drastically. The disadvantage, you have more power in the higher revs. However, the 1330 does have much better lower rev torque than the 998. That one comes alive at 5500 plus.

:agree:

[Michaelscs]

I almost always shift above 4000. Your not going to feel the true power of your 1330 until you get past 5000rpm!
The redline for the 1330 is over 7500rpm. If I'm doing some spirited driving, I frequently shift between 6000 & 7000rpm. That's where the real fun begins!

[Devious56]

I almost always shift above 4000. Your not going to feel the true power of your 1330 until you get past 5000rpm!
The redline for the 1330 is over 7500rpm. If I'm doing some spirited driving, I frequently shift between 6000 & 7000rpm. That's where the real fun begins!


Thank you for that, I thought I was the only odd ball. I normally shift between 3000 and 3500 rpm, but that depends on who I am riding with.One of the Southern Cruiser groups tends to leave stop signs and light rapidly and with them I usually shift about 5,000 or play catch up. Some of my sport bike friends now thats a different story, I shift about 7000 rpm and my RTL hasn't complained once. I know the rev limiter would kick in about 8300 rpm, and since I've had my ECU flashed I know it kicks in at 8600. (just had to see)

[CA-SPYDR]

I have have to admit I never got to the 5000’s... will try it in our ryde tomorrow :-)


I almost always shift above 4000. Your not going to feel the true power of your 1330 until you get past 5000rpm!
The redline for the 1330 is over 7500rpm. If I'm doing some spirited driving, I frequently shift between 6000 & 7000rpm. That's where the real fun begins!

[Mazo EMS2]

I find that a gear per 1000 rpm's works pretty well on average. I do most of my shifting between 3500 and 4000 rpm's....if I'm paying attention that is. But normally, it's just by feel and sound. Seems like regardless of what gear I'm in, 3500 rpm's is a sweet spot. Try it out......

[johnsimion]

Which brings up another point: ECO Mode.

I do not use it. ECO will keep you in the lower revs (right where the OP was recommended to operate). When I first got my 2014--I tried it faithfully for a full tank. Shifted when told, etc. I found the mileage savings to be about 1 mpg.

Not worth the distraction of watching for the green arrow, and not enough to affect the pocketbook drastically. The disadvantage, you have more power in the higher revs. However, the 1330 does have much better lower rev torque than the 998. That one comes alive at 5500 plus.

I agree but I still find it useful. You can just ignore it. However, the difference between 5 & 6 isn't that much and a couple of times I've been buzzing right along and look down saw that green arrow reminding me that I'm still in 5. Sure, I could still see "5" but that's easier to miss seeing that that than the big green arrow.

[Bob Denman]

:opps: I'm the "Low & Slow" Guy:
I normally shift at 2,000 to 2500 rpm.
Here's how it works out on the Speedmeter:

1st to 2nd: 13 mph
2nd to 3rd: 20 mph
3rd to 4th: 26 mph
4th to 5th: 32 mph
5th to 6th: 38 mph

The bike never shudders, lurches, judders or bogs: it just pulls smoothly! :2thumbs:

[UtahPete]

I almost always shift above 4000. Your not going to feel the true power of your 1330 until you get past 5000rpm!
The redline for the 1330 is over 7500rpm. If I'm doing some spirited driving, I frequently shift between 6000 & 7000rpm. That's where the real fun begins!
:agree:

[UtahPete]

I agree but I still find it useful. You can just ignore it. However, the difference between 5 & 6 isn't that much and a couple of times I've been buzzing right along and look down saw that green arrow reminding me that I'm still in 5. Sure, I could still see "5" but that's easier to miss seeing that that than the big green arrow.
I used the ECO mode for about the first 5k miles but now shift by engine sound. I have been fooled by the long-legged 5th gear feeling like 6th.

[CA-SPYDR]

Thank you everyone for sharing your experience with me and putting my mind at ease :-)
:riding:

[stmike 1800]

I shift by ear most of the time ,as with the stupid 2018 dash if you are doing anything with trip meter or such the rpm is gone.

[Easy Rider]

The question is - am I harming my engine by doing so?

Thank you for sharing your opinion!

NO.

And it is not just an "opinion".

Your engine is designed to operate safely up to the "red line" on the tach......which is about 7,500 I think.

Now....constantly running it near the red line might not be the best thing to do.

[2dogs]

:opps: I'm the "Low & Slow" Guy:
I normally shift at 2,000 to 2500 rpm.
Here's how it works out on the Speedmeter:

1st to 2nd: 13 mph
2nd to 3rd: 20 mph
3rd to 4th: 26 mph
4th to 5th: 32 mph
5th to 6th: 38 mph

The bike never shudders, lurches, judders or bogs: it just pulls smoothly! :2thumbs:

If I'm not in a hurry I try and use the same shift points. And if I stay blow 3k at cruse I consistently get 40/42 mpg, and, I can still read the lettering on the center rib of my rear tire. :2thumbs:

[missouriboy]

NO.

And it is not just an "opinion".

Your engine is designed to operate safely up to the "red line" on the tach......which is about 7,500 I think.

Now....constantly running it near the red line might not be the best thing to do.Right on! (Except redline is more like 8100, isn't it?)

The major point of having a computer-controlled engine AND TRANSMISSION is that it will not allow you to shift at any point that would cause damage to the hardware. Either UP or DOWN. You are only requesting a shift. The computer actually does the shift, but only when safe to do so.

So bang away, you are not hurting anything!

P.S. I shift the way Bob does. Except when I don't, and that's when I'm willing to splurge the fuel to have some fun! :yes:

[Bob Denman]

8,100 in gear... 7,500 in neutral. :thumbup:

[asp125]

I posted this about shift points in another earlier thread:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?54875-To-SHIFT-or-NOT-TO-SHIFT&p=650886&viewfull=1#post650886

As long as you keep your oil changed, I see no reason to not wring it out once in awhile. In the old days this was known as the Italian tune-up, ya gotta blow the gunk out from the motor! ;)

[Peteoz]

and I can still read the lettering on the center rib of my rear tire. :2thumbs:

Not while you’re riding I hope, 2dogs?

Pete

[stevencovert]

Open it up a bit. Keeping the RPM's below 4K ALL the time is not desirable according to several techs I talked to. Especially on low mile engines. I know rebuilding car engines they get a "lip" in the cylinder where the top of the rings stop in the cylinder. The tech said same thing happens in all engines. So once in a while when engine is hot I'll open it up and shift higher, cruise at 6K for a mile or two. He basically said if I ran at 4K or less all the time, that one time I need to open it up and get outta dodge the pistons reach a tad higher (microinches, but still) and the rings hit this lip and crack.

May or may be a thing, maybe someone here can confirm or deny. I like to open it up anyways, shift high around 5K once in a while, like getting on the highway. Holy cow this 1330 engine is awesome! :yes:

[Bob Denman]

162511
You don't need excuses to rev it up a bit: it's your bike! :thumbup:
BYW: that's all ancient history based upon technology long forgotten...

[PMK]

Open it up a bit. Keeping the RPM's below 4K ALL the time is not desirable according to several techs I talked to. Especially on low mile engines. I know rebuilding car engines they get a "lip" in the cylinder where the top of the rings stop in the cylinder. The tech said same thing happens in all engines. So once in a while when engine is hot I'll open it up and shift higher, cruise at 6K for a mile or two. He basically said if I ran at 4K or less all the time, that one time I need to open it up and get outta dodge the pistons reach a tad higher (microinches, but still) and the rings hit this lip and crack.

May or may be a thing, maybe someone here can confirm or deny. I like to open it up anyways, shift high around 5K once in a while, like getting on the highway. Holy cow this 1330 engine is awesome! :yes:

See if you can find out if the Spyder 1330 cylinders are Nik A Sil. I beleive they are. The likelyhood to wear a ridge is almost nil in that case.

Old school iron liners will form a ridge.

Much of this is based on ring technology.

[stevencovert]

See if you can find out if the Spyder 1330 cylinders are Nik A Sil. I beleive they are. The likelyhood to wear a ridge is almost nil in that case.

Old school iron liners will form a ridge.

Much of this is based on ring technology.

Well I learned something! Love this forum! Showing my age worrying about ridges... :yes:

[Easy Rider]

162511
BYW: that's all ancient history based upon technology long forgotten...

What ??? My engine doesn't have pistons and rings and valves and rods and bearings ???
:dontknow:
;)