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4th vs. 5th gear discussion

Firefly said:
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----:D

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.
Click to expand...

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...
 
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. :D
 
SpyderWolf said:
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. :D
Click to expand...

I've felt the same thing on every spyder I've ridden.....
 
Firefly said:
I've felt the same thing on every spyder I've ridden.....
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Well dang, now I don't feel so special anymore! :roflblack:

Really though, thanks for letting me know it is not just my Spyder that this happens on. That helps make me feel better, especially since just getting the new sprocket and belt put on. :thumbup:
 
Firefly said:
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----:D

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.
Click to expand...

I've been fiddling around a bit with this...I agree that acceleration is more crisp if you stay in 4th a little longer, but if you run your RPMs up, you are consuming more fuel, no?

As far as the CHAD goes, I ain't got one and by the looks of things, never will...I'll go with Madstad sooner or later.

I'll say one thing is for sure. I usually drop into 3rd gear when taking really sharp exits or entrances onto highways...I have no idea if this is right or not and please let me know your thoughts, but I think that third gear is the power gear...excellent acceleration to get up to speed on the highway when coming off a ramp...
 
bone crusher said:
I've been fiddling around a bit with this...I agree that acceleration is more crisp if you stay in 4th a little longer, but if you run your RPMs up, you are consuming more fuel, no?

As far as the CHAD goes, I ain't got one and by the looks of things, never will...I'll go with Madstad sooner or later.

I'll say one thing is for sure. I usually drop into 3rd gear when taking really sharp exits or entrances onto highways...I have no idea if this is right or not and please let me know your thoughts, but I think that third gear is the power gear...excellent acceleration to get up to speed on the highway when coming off a ramp...
Click to expand...

Power band kicks in anywhere above 6,000 RPM or so, so it doesn't really matter what gear you are in at that point. 3rd gear coming off an exit ramp is probably right around 6,000 RPM for you, and that is why it feels so good. :2thumbs:
 
With the common speeds here in the US -- 3rd is a really popular gear. I find myself taking most 35-45 mph curves in 3rd gear -- of course I'm going 70....:D
 
SpyderWolf said:
Power band kicks in anywhere above 6,000 RPM or so, so it doesn't really matter what gear you are in at that point. 3rd gear coming off an exit ramp is probably right around 6,000 RPM for you, and that is why it feels so good. :2thumbs:
Click to expand...

That's a good point and right on! You really do have to break that 6000 rpm barrier to feel the bike take off...and it does!
 
WackyDan said:
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.
Click to expand...

Interesting comment. That's one of the few places where I preferred to keep it in fourth at 50 mph. All those turns and ups and downs.

But generally I'm in 5th at 55 mph, and wish I had a 6th gear. Either that, or make 3rd, 4th and 5th taller gears.

In my opinion, gears 1,2,and 3 are pretty close together. It might be helpful on a track, but real world driving could stand taller gears, since there is no overdrive.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
 
Firefly said:
But you have an obvious delay when 'skipping' gears like that as you still have to shift past them.
Click to expand...

Don't try to over think this. People should shift at whatever rpm and into whatever gear they like whenever they want. In the big picture, it just doesn't matter. So what if there is a few 1/10s' of a second delay shifting through? I just know that the engine has enough oomph that if I figure I don't need to accelerate in gears 2 and 4, then I don't. I don't do it for mileage either.
 
ThreeWheels said:
Interesting comment. That's one of the few places where I preferred to keep it in fourth at 50 mph. All those turns and ups and downs.

But generally I'm in 5th at 55 mph, and wish I had a 6th gear. Either that, or make 3rd, 4th and 5th taller gears.

In my opinion, gears 1,2,and 3 are pretty close together. It might be helpful on a track, but real world driving could stand taller gears, since there is no overdrive.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Possibly the difference is you are ryding an RT and he is ryding an RS. :dontknow:
 
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