SHIFTING AND RPM'S

[JKMSPYDER]

Need some advice about shifting and at which RPM's. In reading the Do's and Don'ts posted by Illinois Boy, he suggested upshifting at 5000 RPM's or higher. He also said to not let the engine lug when downshifting. I took my ST-S out after work today for the first time in 5 days. We had 5 days of rain until today and it was nice and sunny. I noticed that when I upshifted to 4th gear at around 45 to 50 mph, the engine sounded like it was lugging, although the RPM's were staying above 4500. So I tried experimenting by leaving the gear in 3rd up to 65 mph. At that speed, the RPM's were at 6500 to 6800. It seemed that the engine sounded better and that it wasn't straining. Maybe I imagined it, but before today I would shift to 4th gear at about 50 mph and the engine didn't seem to sound like it was lugging. I now have 260 miles on my ST-S. I guess my question is does it hurt the engine in any way to run it in 3rd gear up to 65 mph?

[Illinois Boy]

Need some advice about shifting and at which RPM's. In reading the Do's and Don'ts posted by Illinois Boy, he suggested upshifting at 5000 RPM's or higher. He also said to not let the engine lug when downshifting. I took my ST-S out after work today for the first time in 5 days. We had 5 days of rain until today and it was nice and sunny. I noticed that when I upshifted to 4th gear at around 45 to 50 mph, the engine sounded like it was lugging, although the RPM's were staying above 4500. So I tried experimenting by leaving the gear in 3rd up to 65 mph. At that speed, the RPM's were at 6500 to 6800. It seemed that the engine sounded better and that it wasn't straining. Maybe I imagined it, but before today I would shift to 4th gear at about 50 mph and the engine didn't seem to sound like it was lugging. I now have 260 miles on my ST-S. I guess my question is does it hurt the engine in any way to run it in 3rd gear up to 65 mph?


Keep in mind the suggestions were for the RT's, and only suggestions to start with. If you feel your Spyder works better at higher RPM's, then I would suggest you shift according to your thoughts.

There are plenty of riders that agree with your thoughts. You might have missed it, but I made the statement that many shift at much higher RPM's than was mentioned. You appear to be one that feels better shifting at higher RPM's... and I agree.

Let us know how it works-out as you ride more on the ST-S. We could use some additional input...:thumbup:

[JKMSPYDER]

Thanks! Your Do's and Don'ts have been invaluable to me !!

[Bob Denman]

Keeping the cruising rpm levels above 4000rpm is the key to keeping the clutches happy. You didn't mention the tranny that your bike has; my statement applies to theSE-5 equipped bikes.
The Rotax engines just love to rev...:thumbup: No harm will come from trips to the 8 grans range.

[JKMSPYDER]

It's an SE-5.

[Bob Denman]

:thumbup: just keep it above four grand and all will be fine! ;)

[Netminder]

Also good idea to read the manual concerning the break in period.:thumbup:

[farmerjim]

:thumbup: just keep it above four grand and all will be fine! ;)

I know a lot of guys & gals ride in parades. How do you keep it above 4,000 in that situation and I've always kinda worried about riding through town at lower speeds.

Jim D.
farmerjim

[Laila's Dad]

I asked a similar question when I first got my spyder and after driving a while realized that you will eventually start shifting when it feels right to you. I used to try to shift at a certain RPM, but now I up shift when it feels right to me. Sometimes I am going 45mph in 2nd gear but normally I reserve that speed for 3rd gear. Same thing with higher speeds. The only rule I try to always live by is not going to 5th gear until around 65mph. I don't know if it matters but it just feels right to me. Good luck and good call on the ST!

[napper39]

45 t055 is what will make the bike happy but it wont hurt with higher rpms but you will use moore gas shifting at higher rpms,just make sure to use high octane gas 92 oct atleast the bike will run better with gas only,no 15% crap,gas only.

[SpyRyd]

I know a lot of guys & gals ride in parades. How do you keep it above 4,000 in that situation and I've always kinda worried about riding through town at lower speeds.

Jim D.
farmerjim

A lot of times during PGR escort missions my speed seldom gets above 20 mph so I just stay in first gear. RPMs typically below 4000 but with tranny in 1st gear I don't experience lugging. If I tried to run those speeds in a higher gear I'm sure I'd be lugging the engine and would feel it. I don't think going slow w/the engine RPMs below 4000 will hurt anything as long as you stay in an appropriate (low) gear...but I could be wrong, and if I am, I'm sure Scotty or another wrench expert will set me straight. WSY professor?

[Illinois Boy]

A lot of times during PGR escort missions my speed seldom gets above 20 mph so I just stay in first gear. RPMs typically below 4000 but with tranny in 1st gear I don't experience lugging. If I tried to run those speeds in a higher gear I'm sure I'd be lugging the engine and would feel it. I don't think going slow w/the engine RPMs below 4000 will hurt anything as long as you stay in an appropriate (low) gear...but I could be wrong, and if I am, I'm sure Scotty or another wrench expert will set me straight. WSY professor?


You are correct in keeping it in a low gear (1st) while in parade-mode. The clutch does not fully engage until around 3500 RPM's. Anything less then 3500, the clutch is slipping some (more so the slower the RPM's). (It is in the manual for the RT.)

So, when in parade-mode, the Spyder will be consistently under 3500, and some slippage of the clutch is occurring -- it cannot be entirely avoided. To minimize the slippage and the wear it causes; keep the Spyder in 1st gear; keep a steady throttle-hand; and avoid unnecessary hard accelerations.

Keep in mind, for the SE-5, a suggested shifting-point to 2nd gear isn't until you reach the 22-28 MPH range. Most parades do not move at 22 MPH -- so 1st gear is the one to use in parade-mode. You can remain in first-gear all-day if your parade is that long.

By keeping it in 1st gear, and not accelerating any great amount, the slippage will be kept to a minimum. However, if someone is in a LOT of parades (and I mean a LOT), then they may see premature wear on their clutch compared to others operating normally.

Shifting-point suggestions were to address the issue of many owners shifting all the way up to 5th gear no matter what speed they were cruising at; and who were also shifting too soon -- causing them to not fully realize the performance of their Spyder.

[boborgera]

A lot of times during PGR escort missions my speed seldom gets above 20 mph so I just stay in first gear. RPMs typically below 4000 but with tranny in 1st gear I don't experience lugging. If I tried to run those speeds in a higher gear I'm sure I'd be lugging the engine and would feel it. I don't think going slow w/the engine RPMs below 4000 will hurt anything as long as you stay in an appropriate (low) gear...but I could be wrong, and if I am, I'm sure Scotty or another wrench expert will set me straight. WSY professor?

Your right, as long as your in First gear. :thumbup:

If that ''Wasn't'' the case every time you were in a 25mph zone you'll be burnin up the clutch.

[Illinois Boy]

Your right, as long as your in First gear. :thumbup:

If that ''Wasn't'' the case every time you were in a 25mph zone you'll be burnin up the clutch.

Ha! The quick response to the truth!:thumbup:

[NancysToy]

You are correct in keeping it in a low gear (1st) while in parade-mode. The clutch does not fully engage until around 3500 RPM's. Anything less then 3500, the clutch is slipping some (more so the slower the RPM's). (It is in the manual for the RT.)

So, when in parade-mode, the Spyder will be consistently under 3500, and some slippage of the clutch is occurring -- it cannot be entirely avoided. To minimize the slippage and the wear it causes; keep the Spyder in 1st gear; keep a steady throttle-hand; and avoid unnecessary hard accelerations.

Keep in mind, for the SE-5, a suggested shifting-point to 2nd gear isn't until you reach the 22-28 MPH range. Most parades do not move at 22 MPH -- so 1st gear is the one to use in parade-mode. You can remain in first-gear all-day if your parade is that long.

By keeping it in 1st gear, and not accelerating any great amount, the slippage will be kept to a minimum. However, if someone is in a LOT of parades (and I mean a LOT), then they may see premature wear on their clutch compared to others operating normally.

Shifting-point suggestions were to address the issue of many owners shifting all the way up to 5th gear no matter what speed they were cruising at; and who were also shifting too soon -- causing them to not fully realize the performance of their Spyder.
I couldn't have said it better if I tried. :agree: Thanks.

[Bob Denman]

Clutch slippage in first gear shouldn't be much of an issue; the lower gearing helps to minimize the strain that the clutches have to endure...

It's those long pulls at 3000 rpm in 4th or 5th where your clutch will really start to suffer.

[ARtraveler]

They pretty much have you covered above. The hard thing for me was to get in my mind that the :spyder2: likes those high revs.

Around town, stop and go driving at under 25 was my first mental block. I felt I had to shift to higher gears--because they were there. I leave it in first now for that kind of stuff.

Highway speeds up to 55 was my second mental block. I felt I had to use fifth gear--once again--because it was there. Now, I am quite content to use forth for everything under 65 in most cases. I usually end up using 5th gear for the 65 and over areas.

There are places where I drive on the highway that are very hilly--sometimes I don't get out of third gear--but still maintain the speed that traffic is doing. I have had some of my best mpg in those situations. (35 mpg).

This does not cover it all but are things that I hope you find to be helpful.

[Illinois Boy]

They pretty much have you covered above. The hard thing for me was to get in my mind that the :spyder2: likes those high revs.

Around town, stop and go driving at under 25 was my first mental block. I felt I had to shift to higher gears--because they were there. I leave it in first now for that kind of stuff.

Highway speeds up to 55 was my second mental block. I felt I had to use fifth gear--once again--because it was there. Now, I am quite content to use forth for everything under 65 in most cases. I usually end up using 5th gear for the 65 and over areas.

There are places where I drive on the highway that are very hilly--sometimes I don't get out of third gear--but still maintain the speed that traffic is doing. I have had some of my best mpg in those situations. (35 mpg).

This does not cover it all but are things that I hope you find to be helpful.


That is a good testament to the suggestions of using the suggested higher shifting points, especially for those who believe their mileage will suffer.:thumbup:

[Illinois Boy]

I couldn't have said it better if I tried. :agree: Thanks.

I appreciate it, coming from you.:thumbup:

[Bob Denman]

They pretty much have you covered above. The hard thing for me was to get in my mind that the :spyder2: likes those high revs.

Around town, stop and go driving at under 25 was my first mental block. I felt I had to shift to higher gears--because they were there. I leave it in first now for that kind of stuff.

Highway speeds up to 55 was my second mental block. I felt I had to use fifth gear--once again--because it was there. Now, I am quite content to use forth for everything under 65 in most cases. I usually end up using 5th gear for the 65 and over areas.

There are places where I drive on the highway that are very hilly--sometimes I don't get out of third gear--but still maintain the speed that traffic is doing. I have had some of my best mpg in those situations. (35 mpg).

This does not cover it all but are things that I hope you find to be helpful.
And all of this with what; 70,000 miles under your belt? :thumbup::thumbup:

[ARtraveler]

My total :spyder2: miles are running about 58,000. Hope to have at least 70,000 by the end of the 2013 season.

[Bob Denman]

Sorry... I thought that I had seen 70K... :opps:

[jerpinoy]

:yes:Now everybody covered everything and the only I can say Have fun and ride safe. God Bless to all

[SpyderLady]

I know we all want to look at speed, but on my RS and my RT.... I was told to look at RPMs. I do not shift up unless I am over 5K and downshift if I am at about 3.5K. Depending on what gear you are in your RPMs will be different on different speeds. I agree with many of the above.... in town I can't shift to 2nd unless I am over 5K. Riding back roads and even on the highway I am often in 4th gear and stay there if I expect speed to be going up and down. Remember these are Rotax racing engines.... They love high RPM

[bhfromme]

Thanks Bob for the clutch info.

I feel much safer in city traffic to be revving around 5 to 6 grand. That way if you have to quickly get of someone's way the bike will practically jump when you hit throttle.

Bill

[ARtraveler]

SpyderLady is right on the money IMO.

[rock]

do not be afraid to wind the rpms up on these bikes... rotex engines love the high r's..if you bog them down constantly the engine can and will load up and run sluggish...it also keeps your internal parts cleaner and well lubed...after the breakin period dont be afraid to hit 8000 -even 9000 your bike will run much better...it will appreciate you for that...