cruising rpms?

[J W Miller]

Just wandering if most rt owners cruise along on back roads in 4th gear at 50 to 55mph some where around 5200rpms as i do? I will shift up to 5th at 58 to 62 mph.Seems engine feels so smooth from 5000 rpms on up Milage still hovers around 28mpg. Having had Kala. Voyagers for some time before, Spyder engine took some getting use to.Voyager cruised along very nice at 2800rpms. J W Miller

 

[harddrive]

I am still breaking my RT in and have not got it over 5 grand, but my 08 GS would run very well above 5 grand, so I was in 4th gear running 60 mph which would put it about 5200 rpms. It also got better gas milage by doing it this was.

Once the RT is broke in, I will do the same. :chat:

 

[docdoru]

... but my 08 GS would run very well above 5 grand, so I was in 4th gear running 60 mph which would put it about 5200 rpms.

:agree: RS love cruising @ 7000 RPM. :thumbup:

 

[2NFrnt]

After playing around with my RT for several months I've have finally decided that 5th gear is only for 70 mph plus, especially 2 up. Anything below 70 I'm in 4th or possibly 3rd. Mileage does not seem to suffer from this approach as I get 28-32 regardless; unless I have the trailer on then it is about 1 mpg less.

Sam

 

[glynnk]

Just wandering if most rt owners cruise along on back roads in 4th gear at 50 to 55mph some where around 5200rpms as i do? I will shift up to 5th at 58 to 62 mph.Seems engine feels so smooth from 5000 rpms on up Milage still hovers around 28mpg. Having had Kala. Voyagers for some time before, Spyder engine took some getting use to.Voyager cruised along very nice at 2800rpms. J W Miller

I pretty much follow your routine. I've got 10,300 miles on mine with no problems.

 

[StriperKing]

I never cruise below 60-65 in fifth, always in 4th.

 

[canam9]

After playing around with my RT for several months I've have finally decided that 5th gear is only for 70 mph plus, especially 2 up. Anything below 70 I'm in 4th or possibly 3rd. Mileage does not seem to suffer from this approach as I get 28-32 regardless; unless I have the trailer on then it is about 1 mpg less.

Sam

:agree::ani29:

 

[Bob Denman]

I know that this is going to seem counterproductive, but I shift into 5th at 38mph or so. My RT seems to be happy at it's 4050 rpm rev level at 55mph, and any decents hills around here rarely give it enough of a problem to require a downshift to 4th.

My mileage seems to run between 33 and 36mpg, and 85% of my riding is done with the Missus out back keeping me in check...

 

[Dragonrider]

I'm with SK - I find myself in 4th at 55-60 on the freeway (commute time). Pop into 5th above that (which is whenever possible )

 

[J W Miller]

Bob, If i shifted my RTS at speeds you mentioned it feels as if I am lugging the engine to death. I have at time under Ideal conditions,flat road no wind and two up eased along at 5000 to 5200rpms in 5th. but not often can or will I do this. J W Miller

 

[M2Wild]

:agree: RS love cruising @ 7000 RPM. :thumbup:

Must be a throttle happy bunch :roflblack: I hardly cruise above 5000 rpm.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: I'm going to have to make a point of letting the revs climb a couple of times just to see what all of the hoopla is about... :hun:

Truthfully; the bottom-end of these motors is more than strong enough to handle the low rpm chores. My Missus and I certainly aren't lightweights and our RT handles the loads just fine. :thumbup: Try it out to see if I'm telling the truth! :shemademe_smilie: :sour:

 

[sinkhole]

revs/gears...

I'll run in 4th gear up to around 45 mph. If I'm above that speed, or the terrain is relatively flat, I'm in 5th.

 

[MouthPiece]

Ran over to Tavares (for court) and back. (bout an 80 mile ride to and from) Rode right at 65 MPH. Stayed in 4th with RPM's around 5,500. Gas mileage was 31. No wind or at least very little. No hills, mainly straight driving. Just a few stop lights. A tad of "in town driving".

When I first got my RT-S, I shifted into 5th gear around 50 mph. After reading a lot of comments, I changed that. I rarely get into 5th gear anymore. I have to be running 75 to do that.

Chris PE# 0004

 

[GypsyBill]

Anything below 65 I stay in 4th (one or two up).. if the road is straight and level and I can stay over 65 to 70 I may shift to 5th...

 

[J W Miller]

WOW! Looks like I now know that will be a normal way to cruise along. Sure has been an interesting post.

 

[capt jim]

rpm vs mph

when i first got the rt i rode 10 mph 1st gear 20 mph 2nd gear 30 mph 3dr gear 40 mph 4th gear and 50 mph 5th gear. well i must have broken it in well. now i don't even think about rpm or mph i just listen to the revs and the feel and enjoy the thrill.capt jim

 

[boborgera]

when i first got the rt i rode 10 mph 1st gear 20 mph 2nd gear 30 mph 3dr gear 40 mph 4th gear and 50 mph 5th gear. well i must have broken it in well. now i don't even think about rpm or mph i just listen to the revs and the feel and enjoy the thrill.capt jim

:agree:When you operate a Manual long enough a Tach is just for amusement, My VTX 1800 didn't even have a Tach.
If you need a Tack to tell you when to shift you might be better off with an Auto. This way you can keep your eyes on the road and not on a Tachometer.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: :thumbup:

 

[rineer4635]

Hmmm...

:agree:When you operate a Manual long enough a Tach is just for amusement, My VTX 1800 didn't even have a Tach.
If you need a Tack to tell you when to shift you might be better off with an Auto. This way you can keep your eyes on the road and not on a Tachometer.

I have the semi auto and I have to shift.