SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN
New member
i have a 2013 and i was wondering at what speed should i be shifting into and cruising in 5th gear?
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CRUISING SPEED ON A 998 ENGINE
- Thread starter SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN
- Start date
billybovine
Active member
It depends on how much load the the engine is under. Going up or down a hill. Head wind or tail wind. But a general rule of thumb would be while the engine is under load. 5th gear minimum 4200 rpm. 4th gear min 4000 rpm. 3rd gear min 3800 rpm. 2nd gear 3600 rpm. 1st no minimum. There is no minimum while coasting, but if you want to accelerate with a low rpm. Downshift before twisting the grip to go.
SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN
New member
i'm talking cruising the highway using cruise control
Freegle
New member
Watch the RPMs
Me personally, I rally use 5th gear on my 2012 RTS. I try to keep the RPMs at or above 5000. The 998 engine is a "RPM Hog". It runs better at 5000 and above. I find also that the belt and engine vibration is almost nil at around 5500-6000. Yes I have Doc's Vibration dampener installed, but the engine vibration is still there. I get better gas mileage at the higher RPMs as well. I rode yesterday with a group and we ran 55-60 MPH all day and I never took it out of 3rd gear.
Me personally, I rally use 5th gear on my 2012 RTS. I try to keep the RPMs at or above 5000. The 998 engine is a "RPM Hog". It runs better at 5000 and above. I find also that the belt and engine vibration is almost nil at around 5500-6000. Yes I have Doc's Vibration dampener installed, but the engine vibration is still there. I get better gas mileage at the higher RPMs as well. I rode yesterday with a group and we ran 55-60 MPH all day and I never took it out of 3rd gear.
Docster
New member
This will answer the question plus many others you may have
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners
Highwayman2013
New member
The 998 likes to live around 5,000 RPMs. Rev it and keep it happy.
Bob Denman
New member
As long as the centrifugal clutch is locked-up: you're good to go...
Since it usually takes until about 3,500 rpm or so for that to happen: I usually planned my shifts so that the upshift would leave the engine spinning at about 4,000 rpm.
In the case of the 998 bikes: that's just a whicker over 55 mph. :thumbup:
Since it usually takes until about 3,500 rpm or so for that to happen: I usually planned my shifts so that the upshift would leave the engine spinning at about 4,000 rpm.
In the case of the 998 bikes: that's just a whicker over 55 mph. :thumbup:
pegasus1300
Well-known member
I ride a 2012 RTL. I shift at 6000-6500 rpm. when I am cruising on cruise control up to 65 mph I leave it in 4th.When I go to 70+ then I go to 5th gear. Anything below 50 mph I am a lower gear (3)
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
Fifth on the 998 is usually at 60 plus for me.
I usually watch or listen for the RPM sound to be right. The 998 likes 5000 - 5500.
In town (30 mph) second gear max most of the time.
Drove Hana Highway in Hawaii (50 miles long), most of the speed limits at 25 or less. First gear all the way.
And gas mileage is best if kept in that 5000 - 5500 rpm range.
I usually watch or listen for the RPM sound to be right. The 998 likes 5000 - 5500.
In town (30 mph) second gear max most of the time.
Drove Hana Highway in Hawaii (50 miles long), most of the speed limits at 25 or less. First gear all the way.
And gas mileage is best if kept in that 5000 - 5500 rpm range.
Chupaca
New member
Here's the thing....
To get the most out of the SE clutch you need to be above the minimum RPM's for full engagement. That is somewhere in the 3400 to 3600 so most just go for 4,000. Manuals don't have that problem as they just have to keep from lugging the engine. I stay above the 5,000 range and spend 35% of the time between 6 and 8 thousand. 5th gear is best run at 70 mph but again you really just need to have the clutch fully engaged. But if you run on the low side you will need to do some quick downshifting if you want or need a quick response from the engine...these engines have a high rpm powerband....:thumbup:
To get the most out of the SE clutch you need to be above the minimum RPM's for full engagement. That is somewhere in the 3400 to 3600 so most just go for 4,000. Manuals don't have that problem as they just have to keep from lugging the engine. I stay above the 5,000 range and spend 35% of the time between 6 and 8 thousand. 5th gear is best run at 70 mph but again you really just need to have the clutch fully engaged. But if you run on the low side you will need to do some quick downshifting if you want or need a quick response from the engine...these engines have a high rpm powerband....:thumbup:
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
2012 RT is the 998 engine. The information about keeping it in the 5000 -5500 range is a good starting place. You are always in the "power band."
safecracker
Active member
Cruising along a flat road i will shift into 5th at 55 mph. Bruce
