crusing speeds ?

[jcasey]

My wife has a 2013 STS with 998 5 speed. I have noticed when I ride it that it is geared low. At 65 & 70 MPH it is pretty high in RPMs. What do you cruse at safely on long rides( like all day interstate)? I ride a cruser and can go 70 all day. Was wondering what she should be doing. Thanks!!

[Bob Denman]

The Rotax 998s all love to spin. :thumbup:
I've spent the largest part of a 600 plus mile day, at speeds over 70...

Let 'er rip!

[Eagle1]

They recommend a high rpms for that engine. I don't shift until 4500-5000 rpms, and don't go into 5th until 65mph.

[AY4B]

It depends on my mood at the time. If Im feeling badass, I'll keep the RPMs up. I have noticed with my new Akrapovic silencer, added torch at lower RPMS so there sometimes is less need to downshift for acceleration.

[Chupaca]

I keep with the traffic and in most cases average 80 mph. Last 700+ mile trip was closer to 85 @ 6,000 rpm's which the RS we ryde seems to enjoy...don't mind it myself...:thumbup:...don't usually use 5th till in the 70's....

[ARtraveler]

I also agree with the above. Rotax 998 likes to spin at 5500 or better for optimum performance.

Cruising at 60 will give you about 5500 rpms. If you up it to 70 or higher, your rpms will go higher. It seems weird for the motor to be spinning at those levels, but your V twin :ani29: will be happy, happy, happy. You should not experience heat issues either.

You gas mileage starts going out the window after 65 though.

[CanAmChris]

I remember a thread from years ago where a Can-Am tech said that the 998 is happiest between 4500 and 5500 RPM. As everyone has said, it loves to spin. There was also a comment that when people had transmission issues, they would look at the buds and saw that more often then not, the average RPM was around 3500. That is bad for the SE5 trans. Higher revs keep the oil pressure up.

[Oldmanzues]

998 love to spin. Look at Red Line, at 6,000 only at 2/3 limit.
No problems with my 2010 and more then a few high revs on twistys.
I tell people the same thing as on here. Harley riders have a fit. No I am not picking on Harleys
Have fun and enjoy
Oldmanzues

[bmccaffrey]

I keep with the traffic and in most cases average 80 mph. Last 700+ mile trip was closer to 85 @ 6,000 rpm's which the RS we ryde seems to enjoy...don't mind it myself...:thumbup:...don't usually use 5th till in the 70's....


I as well

[900Dave]

I remember a thread from years ago where a Can-Am tech said that the 998 is happiest between 4500 and 5500 RPM. As everyone has said, it loves to spin. There was also a comment that when people had transmission issues, they would look at the buds and saw that more often then not, the average RPM was around 3500. That is bad for the SE5 trans. Higher revs keep the oil pressure up.

I usually shift up at 6000+ and never go below 4000 except 1st gear of course. I have found as I do exaust mods that I now have more pull at lower rpm's. The 998 loves to spin. I have taken her over 8000rpm's several times.

[STELLING MAN]

My buddy and I came home from Spyder Fest. In one day back to the Buckeye state, 640 mi. we were hardly ever under 70 mph. and made It home In about ten hours, yes those twins do love to spin..

[Dudley]

The Spyder 998 will out last you on any given day, at speeds of 80-90 mph. I have always said, it's not how fast you ride that hurts the engine, it's how much strain you put it through to get to that speed. Ride more, worry less.