4th vs. 5th gear discussion

[bone crusher]

Well, I know many here run their bikes in 4th gear when on the highway...just want to report on that.

I usually run in 5th gear anytime I'm up and over 55 mph. I decided to run it in 4th gear up until 65-70, just to see how it would feel.

1. The bike is louder (this is obvious)
2. The bike gets much hotter (expected)
3. The bike drinks gas as the RPMs are I would figure 1000-2000 more
4. The acceleration might be a little sharper
5. I see no reason not to drop into 5th gear

The ride was comparably comfortable but the increase in RPMs isn't worth it, IMHO. I know Carlo and others have told me that the Rotax is a really high-revving engine (max HP is at 6500-7500 rpm?), but when you run it in 4th at higher speeds, you are going to drink more gas, and this is unneeded.

Comments anyone?

[spyder1]

Well, I know many here run their bikes in 4th gear when on the highway...just want to report on that.

I usually run in 5th gear anytime I'm up and over 55 mph. I decided to run it in 4th gear up until 65-70, just to see how it would feel.

1. The bike is louder (this is obvious)
2. The bike gets much hotter (expected)
3. The bike drinks gas as the RPMs are I would figure 1000-2000 more
4. The acceleration might be a little sharper
5. I see no reason not to drop into 5th gear

The ride was comparably comfortable but the increase in RPMs isn't worth it, IMHO. I know Carlo and others have told me that the Rotax is a really high-revving engine (max HP is at 6500-7500 rpm?), but when you run it in 4th at higher speeds, you are going to drink more gas, and this is unneeded.

Comments anyone?

I fully agree...I average 31-33 mpg consistantly with RT-S

[WackyDan]

On the Cherohala Skyway, poking along at 45 to 50 MPH in 5th gear most of the time... I got 38 MPG on my 08.

I don't see why you should lug it at low speed, but after 45 to 55, 5th gear makes too much sense, and I can drop to 4th or 3rd in a flash if I need the power.

[fispyder]

I fully agree...I average 31-33 mpg consistantly with RT-S

Same here you can always brop down if you feel like it is lugging

[Bob Denman]

I've been saying this for a while too! Shift up, keep the revs down and these engines do just fine...

[wyliec]

I went on a 200 mile run yesterday and kept it in 4th running at 65 mph. I normally don't do this; but, I didn't hear any straining and I feel more control in the curves in 4th than 5th. I have an SM5.

If I had to worry about gas when ryding the spyder, I'd sell it.

I find it laughable that some of you who are in to performance mods would be concerned about mpg.

JMO

[docdoru]

There is a big disparity on the RS vs. RT's RPM map:

[MouthPiece]

I fully agree...I average 31-33 mpg consistantly with RT-S

In???

[SteveMac]

IMHO it is all about necessity. What I mean is if I am on a hilly-twisty I will run 3rd or 4th whatever the speed allows to stay in the 5-6k rpm range for control on the curves and power on the hills. Down-Up shift as needed. But if I am on the interstate I'll be in 5th running 5k. And I have power when I need and mileage too. Averaged 29mpg two up going to Cuba with a combo of interstates on HWY67 and twistys on HWYs 19 & 8. I really try to stay north of 4k as much as possible.

[boborgera]

It's your machine, What ever floats your boat, Just don't bonce it off the Rev limit too often or;
You'll be leaving a trail of bent parts behind you.
If anyone one is worried about gas mileage they should get a Moped, I heard they get 80 miles to the gallon.

[arntufun]

I went on a 200 mile run yesterday and kept it in 4th running at 65 mph. I normally don't do this; but, I didn't hear any straining and I feel more control in the curves in 4th than 5th. I have an SM5.

If I had to worry about gas when ryding the spyder, I'd sell it.

I find it laughable that some of you who are in to performance mods would be concerned about mpg.

JMO

I was on that same run with you and never shifted to 5th. My Spyder has no power in 5th under 65 mph. It sounds and feels sluggish in 5th any less than 65 mph. By the way, my wife really enjoyed talking to yours.

[IWN2RYD]

The bike tells me where it wants to be... I listen to it. Sometimes it is hungry for more, sometimes it is happy at low RPMS...

If I lived in a flat area, I bet I would drive it the same...

We measure our mileage off of the amount of stress that has left our minds and hearts, and replaced by Joy and Happiness... Not MPG...

[Dragonrider]

My RT is a pig under 70 in 5th. My rule is that IF you can use cruise control, you can use 5th.

If I needed to rapidly accelerate at 60 in 5th, f o r g e t. I t! Hence the rule.

[DynamoBT]

I've never calculated my mileage. I just don't care what it is. I ryde by feel alone. I like the Spyder to be more peppy when I ryde alone. But, I sort of poke along more when I have hubby on the back. He likes to look at the scenery!!! lol

I have the Spyder for fun and ryde it any way I feel like. I does what I want, when I want it to. What else is there??

[Firefly]

Well, I know many here run their bikes in 4th gear when on the highway...just want to report on that.

I usually run in 5th gear anytime I'm up and over 55 mph. I decided to run it in 4th gear up until 65-70, just to see how it would feel.

1. The bike is louder (this is obvious)
2. The bike gets much hotter (expected)
3. The bike drinks gas as the RPMs are I would figure 1000-2000 more
4. The acceleration might be a little sharper
5. I see no reason not to drop into 5th gear

The ride was comparably comfortable but the increase in RPMs isn't worth it, IMHO. I know Carlo and others have told me that the Rotax is a really high-revving engine (max HP is at 6500-7500 rpm?), but when you run it in 4th at higher speeds, you are going to drink more gas, and this is unneeded.

Comments anyone?

You'd really have to do some pretty controlled testing to show your MPG is much different-- if different at all.

Anything under 70 in 5th gear just feels wrong to me-- for sure 55mph in 5th feels darn near like lugging - but that might be due to me being used to higher RPMS----

I have not found an difference in MPG on the highway no matter how I ride---the chad really kills the MPG IMO.

I would guess most do hit 5th gear by 55 mph--- just doesn't feel right to me - especially if your terrain varies at all--- better engine braking in 3rd or 4th @ 55 than in 5th for example.

[arntufun]

I ryde by feel alone. I like the Spyder to be more peppy when I ryde alone. But, I sort of poke along more when I have hubby on the back. He likes to look at the scenery! lol

Something does not look right here. Did you make a mistake while writing this ???

[DynamoBT]

Something does not look right here. Did you make a mistake while writing this ???

Yeah, I'm not quite "with it" today. A Fibromyalgia flare. That's

But, maybe I could have phrased things differently!! lol

[arntufun]

Yeah, I'm not quite "with it" today. A Fibromyalgia flare. That's

But, maybe I could have phrased things differently!! lol

I was talking about hubby on the back looking at the scenery !!!

[Bob Denman]

You DO like to rile things up...

[spydee owner]

Well, I know many here run their bikes in 4th gear when on the highway...just want to report on that.

I usually run in 5th gear anytime I'm up and over 55 mph. I decided to run it in 4th gear up until 65-70, just to see how it would feel.

1. The bike is louder (this is obvious)
2. The bike gets much hotter (expected)
3. The bike drinks gas as the RPMs are I would figure 1000-2000 more
4. The acceleration might be a little sharper
5. I see no reason not to drop into 5th gear

The ride was comparably comfortable but the increase in RPMs isn't worth it, IMHO. I know Carlo and others have told me that the Rotax is a really high-revving engine (max HP is at 6500-7500 rpm?), but when you run it in 4th at higher speeds, you are going to drink more gas, and this is unneeded.

Comments anyone?

/Totally agree. I do,however, go from 1 to 3 to 5 without stopping at 2 and 4. This engine will handle the lugging or high revs just fine.

[Raptor]

You'd really have to do some pretty controlled testing to show your MPG is much different-- if different at all.

Anything under 70 in 5th gear just feels wrong to me-- for sure 55mph in 5th feels darn near like lugging - but that might be due to me being used to higher RPMS----

I have not found an difference in MPG on the highway no matter how I ride---the chad really kills the MPG IMO.

I would guess most do hit 5th gear by 55 mph--- just doesn't feel right to me - especially if your terrain varies at all--- better engine braking in 3rd or 4th @ 55 than in 5th for example.

I'm with you on this one dude! I have never seen any real diff in MPG by short shifting or keeping revs lower. The only thing that is different is performance, which takes a big hit when you lug the engine like that. Everyone is different though. Personally I like that feeling of more torque and useable power. I did just recently take my sport tour shield off and replaced it with my original bat wing shield. Too soon to tell what the over-all effect will be but I can tell she's cutting through the air a bit better. Alton was right about the shield causing stall drag...

[DynamoBT]

I was talking about hubby on the back looking at the scenery !!!

[SpyderWolf]

On my Spyder if I shift into 5th gear at anything under 65 mph, I get some pretty decent vibrations. Not sure if it is just the bad spot for belt harmonics, but it is definitely there. 4th gear at that speed feels great and 5th anywhere above 65 is good to go as well. I am pretty sure this is just the case with my Spyder, but it is one of the major reasons I stay in 4th most of the time.

I don't pay attention to mileage either, I know when I hit 3 bars I better start thinking about getting fuel soon.

[Firefly]

On my Spyder if I shift into 5th gear at anything under 65 mph, I get some pretty decent vibrations. Not sure if it is just the bad spot for belt harmonics, but it is definitely there. 4th gear at that speed feels great and 5th anywhere above 65 is good to go as well. I am pretty sure this is just the case with my Spyder, but it is one of the major reasons I stay in 4th most of the time.

I don't pay attention to mileage either, I know when I hit 3 bars I better start thinking about getting fuel soon.

I've felt the same thing on every spyder I've ridden.....

[Firefly]

/Totally agree. I do,however, go from 1 to 3 to 5 without stopping at 2 and 4. This engine will handle the lugging or high revs just fine.

What purpose would shifting from 1 to 3 to 5 serve?