fast stops

[kdee]

Totally enjoying my very first motorcycle-2010 RSS. Went on a highway trip when I had to come to a fast stop due to a train (although hubby thought I should have beaten the lowering arms...next time). I sat there in a complete stop but was still in 5th gear...took some doing to get it down to 1st gear. Any suggestions on how to better handle the situation?

Also, it would appear "Lottie" likes to be warmed up some what before slowly going down the short residential street. She clanked and quit...easy start up though.

AND...what range of rpm is good shift up from 1 to 2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5?

 

[ingramwc]

I normally let mine run a couple of minutes before heading out, I have not had any stalling problems. Shift points; I try to keep the RPM at 4500 to 5000, I shift just above 5200 RPM.
The V-twin likes to rev! As for the down shifting, I am thinking you have a RSS SM5, down shift as you approach your stopping point or turn and you will be in a lower gear.
Although with the train intersection, sounds like you made a panic stop and did not down shift before you stopped. The tranny is a sequential shift, so I figure you will have to bump the shifter down once for each gear, no short cut. If that is not correct, someone will correct me.
Try to keep your RPM above 4000 so you don't lug (strain) the engine.
Have a blast & ride safe.

 

[garb55]

Train is much bigger and heavier than you
don't listen to you hubby
stop and let train go by
life is short enough as it is

 

[SpyderAnn01]

They don't like quick stops it messes up the computer. It even happens on the manual transmission. I'm not sure how you can avoid it, as sometimes you have no choice but to make a quick stop and don't have time to downshift as you slow down.

 

[BajaRon]

Don't try to compete with a train. In the emergency response community. We call people who do that 'Job Security'.

Bad, Bad idea!

 

[Chupaca]

Agree..!!

with not racing a train...but as you are stopped you can shut down and wait a bit then restart and hopefully the nanny has calmed down and you can shift again. On the se models you will have to step on the brake to restart. :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

RE: shift points. 5000 - 5500 on all shifts up works well.

 

[Bob Denman]

Shift points on a 990 series engine?
Since the powerband is about 750 to 1,000 rpm higher than on the RTs; I'd look to be shifting at 5,500to 6,000 rpm on them... :thumbup:
As for racing trains... you've already heard the best advice. :shocked:

 

[kdee]

upping the revs

Thanks...Lottie is SE and it was a panic stop. Not very many train crossings out here...now I will know what is happening with those yellow flashing warning lights.

AND I will not be shooting the arms...just take advantage of the break/rest.

I've been using 4000 rpm for most up shifts and 5000 to go to 5th gear (just over 100km/hr) I will up those. I don't very often go into 3rd gear in the city (50 km/30mi speed limit).

Squeezing in as many riding days as possible before old man winter moves in.

 

[Bob Denman]

Since "Lottie is an SE"; you have a pretty good reason to move your shift points up a bit.
The engagement clutch is centrifugally operated. It actually doesn't get fully locked-up until at least 3,500 rpm or so. (Some say 4,000...)
If you are running the bike at low rpms too often; the clutch plates can slip... :shocked:
This'll burn them up! :yikes:
Toasted clutch plates do not make for a very good meal... nojoke

 

[kep-up]

Here we go again with the RPM's issues. The nanny downshifts about 2400 RPM. The manufacturer has decided the clutch is sufficientlyu locked up at that point to shift to the next lower gear and that is sufficient rpm to roll on the throttle to accelerate to the next shift point. The clutch is sufficiently locked up enough to spin the rear tire in 2nd gear at 3500 rpm with an aggressive roll of the throttle. Don't know where y'all are coming from with the high rpm shift points, but I heartily disagree. I just returned home yesterday from the mountains of WV, riding 2-up, both in the 200lb range, the frunk full of luggage, and I found the machine easily accelerated hard out of the switchbacks in 3rd or 4th as low as 3500rpm. I, personaly have no issue with cruising at a steady 3500rpm.

Just sayin'.

SO THERE!

 

[Bob Denman]

Downshifting is one thing; upshifting is another... :shocked:
As you're slowing down for a stop; there's no load on the transmission gears, as you're off of the throttle.
That's not the case, when you're running up through the gears...

 

[kep-up]

Downshifting is one thing; upshifting is another... :shocked:
As you're slowing down for a stop; there's no load on the transmission gears, as you're off of the throttle.
That's not the case, when you're running up through the gears...

So, when the nanny downshifts in traffic, and traffic speeds up, are you saying you downshift another gear to get your rpms up? Or do you simply roll on the throttle and stay wit the traffic?

 

[Bob Denman]

No...
There will always be times that you're running with the clutches not fully locked. It's just best to try and minimize them... :thumbup:

 

[pegasus1300]

If you haven't spent any time here you might want to read this thread. Helped me alot with my Spyder
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners

 

[ARtraveler]

The powerband on the 998 begins at about 5000 rpms.

Bob and I have always sparred a bit about rpm's. I used to be a sub 5000 shifter and when I changed over--he was always shifting at about 500 less than I recommended.

Now...it seems you are moving to plus 5000. Way to go Bob!~! :yes:

In town shifting on the 998, for me, has always been about 5000 for first to second. At 30-35 mph, that means I stay in first gear 99% of the time. In Maui, HI, I drove the Hana Highway (speed limit mostly 25) for the whole 50 plus miles in first.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'd like to say that I've evolved; I ain't that lucky!
The 990 series engines make less torque, but more power. In order to do that; you need to spin them a little bit harder. As an RT rider (with a 991 series engine); I never needed to worry about it... My chief concern was always to keep the clutches cool and happy.
An RS pilot may find that their bike feels a bit peppier, when they allow it to really sing! :thumbup:

 

[bmccaffrey]

I shift between 5800-6200 . I have sm

More critical to keep rpms up on the se.

998 love the revs

 

[ARtraveler]

I'd like to say that I've evolved; I ain't that lucky!
The 990 series engines make less torque, but more power. In order to do that; you need to spin them a little bit harder. As an RT rider (with a 991 series engine); I never needed to worry about it... My chief concern was always to keep the clutches cool and happy.
An RS pilot may find that their bike feels a bit peppier, when they allow it to really sing! :thumbup:

Way, way back in the day...in a galaxy far, far, away...when I was an RS pilot...I did like to spin em a bit higher. Compared to the RT with the twin, the RS, to me, was a little bit like a crotch rocket. It looks like we are in agreement. :yes::yes: :roflblack::roflblack:

 

[kep-up]

I agree that the 998 loves to rev. And I agree that it makes the most power up high in the rpm band. But, to me it ain't practical to run continually in excess of 5000 rpm. In fact, I think it is just plain silly when it ain't necessary.

If you want to do that, it's fine by me. I couldn't care less how anyone else operates their Spyder, and I will continue to operate mine the way I want to.

My point is to those who are beginning the spyder journey, that they DON'T always have to run the engine at 5000 rpms.

For those who do, blessings to you.

And I hope that you and I can agree to disagree, and still remain friends.