Optimal Shifting for RT SE6?

[bobgeorge]

Hello,

I have a 2015 RT SE6 model. I have read the info about shifting in the "Do's and Do Nots" thread but have some questions.

Should I be shifting at these RPM levels? Or is this just for Eco mode?

1st to 2nd: 1,800 rpm’s
2nd to 3rd: 1,950 rpm’s
3rd and up: 2,200 rpm’s

Also, what does it mean in the powerbanding section when it takes about shifting below the powerband of 2,500 rpms make the engine work harder.

Just some info, I tried Eco mode but I don't see how a person can watch the rode and look for the green arrow at the same time :{

Thank you for any info you can provide!

 

[Bob Denman]

Good questions and observations! :thumbup:
The 1330/SE-6 combination is rather un-fussy about when you stab the paddle.
I shift into second and third at about 2,000 rpm.
Fourth, fifth and sixth get grabbed at 2,500 rpm...
My bike is averaging 39.6 mpg for it'd first 7400 recorded miles... I don't think that what I'm doing is hurting it in any manner, way, shape, or form. :2thumbs:

 

[Pampurrs]

Hello,

I have a 2015 RT SE6 model. I have read the info about shifting in the "Do's and Do Nots" thread but have some questions.

Should I be shifting at these RPM levels? Or is this just for Eco mode?

1st to 2nd: 1,800 rpm’s
2nd to 3rd: 1,950 rpm’s
3rd and up: 2,200 rpm’s

Also, what does it mean in the powerbanding section when it takes about shifting below the powerband of 2,500 rpms make the engine work harder.

Just some info, I tried Eco mode but I don't see how a person can watch the rode and look for the green arrow at the same time :{

Thank you for any info you can provide!

Shifting in all gears at 3,000 seems to be the sweet spot for most people. Sometimes I go a little higher if I'm merging onto the freeway, but for the most part I try to shift at or around 3k. I usually just do it by ear anyway.

There has been much discussion around here about ECO mode, and the concensus seems to be that ECO mode doesn't really accomplish anything. Most people have enough experience with motorcycles to be able to know when to shift and not have to look for a green arrow.

Some may disagree. You'll hear all kinds of opinions.

Pam

 

[Pampurrs]

Good questions and observations! :thumbup:
The 1330/SE-6 combination is rather un-fussy about when you stab the paddle.
I shift into second and third at about 2,000 rpm.
Fourth, fifth and sixth get grabbed at 2,500 rpm...
My bike is averaging 39.6 mpg for it'd first 7400 recorded miles... I don't think that what I'm doing is hurting it in any manner, way, shape, or form. :2thumbs:

I've tried shifting at that low of revs and it shifts very rough. Feels like the engine is lugging, which is not good for any engine.

I thought it was you in another thread who insisted on shifting at 3,000 :dontknow: Or am I confusing you with one of the other Oracles :roflblack:

Pam

 

[4 MARIE]

If you want to use "ECO" mode, that is fine. it softens the power delivery some, especially below 4thousand rpm.

If you are looking for the SHIFT ARROW on the dash, well...shame on you.

Some of the shift points you are talking about are crazy low and will almost certainly LUG your engine.

I agree with Pam, about 3 K is kind of a sweet spot and will get you to 60 in 6th with no fuss.

 

[ARtraveler]

Here is another take. I suggest trying various and stick with the one you like best.

:ani29:: I am a NON Eco Mode person. Tried it, don't like it, not worth the hassle for 1 mpg or so.
:ani29:: I use the KISS method for shifting. 3000 - 3500 seems to be the sweet spot for me on all gears when upshifting. I go by a certain sound and punch it.
:ani29:: I let the SE6 downshift by itself--unless I want extra power to punch it. Maybe have done that twice in 20,000 miles.
:ani29:: My mileage is consistently between 39 and 41 mpg.

Th, th, th, that's all folks. :roflblack::roflblack:

 

[bobgeorge]

Thanks for all the good info.

A secondary question is RPMs, fueling, and MPG.

I fueled up yesterday. The fuel light had came on....and I think it only pumped in 3+ gallons. The pump stopped like it was full....but the feul level gauge only went slightly about 3/4. After driving 57 miles I am down to 1/2 tank.

I have been shifting into all my gears at about the 2500-3000 RPMs area....but it seems like my MPG are low.

Any recommendations?

 

[Pampurrs]

Thanks for all the good info.

A secondary question is RPMs, fueling, and MPG.

I fueled up yesterday. The fuel light had came on....and I think it only pumped in 3+ gallons. The pump stopped like it was full....but the feul level gauge only went slightly about 3/4. After driving 57 miles I am down to 1/2 tank.

I have been shifting into all my gears at about the 2500-3000 RPMs area....but it seems like my MPG are low.

Any recommendations?

Are you using one of the trip odometers to measure your miles between fueling? You need to divide the amount of fuel into the miles ridden ( Miles / gallons) in order to get an accurate MPG.

I can usually squeeze in a couple of gallons after the pump snaps off. It takes a minute for the fuel to settle into the tank.

I routinely get 35-37 MPG. Some folks get better than that.

Pam

 

[bobgeorge]

Are you using one of the trip odometers to measure your miles between fueling? You need to divide the amount of fuel into the miles ridden ( Miles / gallons) in order to get an accurate MPG.

I can usually squeeze in a couple of gallons after the pump snaps off. It takes a minute for the fuel to settle into the tank.

I routinely get 35-37 MPG. Some folks get better than that.

Pam

Do you run it down until the low fuel light comes on to get do that?

 

[ARtraveler]

Do you run it down until the low fuel light comes on to get do that?

Once filled, my low fuel light comes on about around 210 miles into the trip. The most I have gone with the 1330 on a tank before refilling was 225 miles.

I always set my A trip meter to zero when refueling--so I have a ballpark of how many miles I have into the tank. The fuel gauges seem more accurate than my pre-2014's. I rely on miles travelled. I find the low light goes on for me when the gauge is on the final red bar.

Also, I always fill to the same level each time. I watch the level of gas come up to the ring in the opening. I do not run it over. The fuel level will go down a bit from the ring. This is where I stop.

Hope this helps.

 

[Pampurrs]

Do you run it down until the low fuel light comes on to get do that?

It doesn't matter when you fill it up to do the MPG math. Whether you go 50 miles or 200 miles between fillups, you just divide however miles you rode by how many gallons you used. IE: your tank takes 3 gallons to fill to the top, and your trip odometer says you went 108 miles since the last fill up, you divide 108 by 3. 108 / 3 = 36 MPG. This is the only way to accurately determine MPG.

I have always used Trip A to measure my gas. When I fill up, I reset it back to zero (after jotting down how many miles I rode onto the gas receipt). Then when I get home I do the math. This also gives me a pretty good idea when I need to stop for fuel, since I know my light it going to come on around 180 miles or so.

Pam

 

[rcflyrj]

"Optimal Shifting"

Seems to me that "optimal" depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If it's relaxed riding and fuel economy, then the low numbers you cited are good. If it's quick pickup on an on ramp, you need to shift higher. Max performance comes with using the red line on the tach.

Just my 2 cents...

John

 

[bobgeorge]

Thanks for the good tips. I stopped pumping when the pump clicked. I do that in my SUV, but maybe I could have pumped a little bit more to get it to full.

 

[AeroPilot]

Nice to have the flexibility about shift points... It's all good!

Hello,

I have a 2015 RT SE6 model. I have read the info about shifting in the "Do's and Do Nots" thread but have some questions.

Should I be shifting at these RPM levels? Or is this just for Eco mode?

1st to 2nd: 1,800 rpm’s
2nd to 3rd: 1,950 rpm’s
3rd and up: 2,200 rpm’s

Also, what does it mean in the powerbanding section when it takes about shifting below the powerband of 2,500 rpms make the engine work harder.

Just some info, I tried Eco mode but I don't see how a person can watch the rode and look for the green arrow at the same time :{

Thank you for any info you can provide!

With the 11 RT SM5 we learned that we needed to keep the RPMs above 3500 just to open the purge valve, and that the power band seemed to be from 4500 to 5000.

Now with the 15 SE6 unless we're merging on the on ramp, I usually tap the paddle at 2200, 2400, 2600, 2800 and 3000. Just my easy going cruisin' style, like some others.

If we're riding with others or need to get on it, my wife says that she shifts around the 2900-3200 range. The 1330 engine is like the Honey Badger......he don't give a sh.....oot!

 

[JayBros]

You don't say how many miles you have on your Spyder. You should see mileage improvement as you get past 3,000. I, like OP, have bumped my shift point up to the 3,000 - 3,500 range, have switched to Mobil1 4T Racing 10W-40, ditched the eco mode and am getting mid 37 to 40 mpg with a cumulative 36.4 mpg since day one. Changed too many variables to identify the most beneficial one. Yeah, I get less if I'm really whacking the loud handle but I'm also having more fun.

 

[bobgeorge]

You don't say how many miles you have on your Spyder. You should see mileage improvement as you get past 3,000. I, like OP, have bumped my shift point up to the 3,000 - 3,500 range, have switched to Mobil1 4T Racing 10W-40, ditched the eco mode and am getting mid 37 to 40 mpg with a cumulative 36.4 mpg since day one. Changed too many variables to identify the most beneficial one. Yeah, I get less if I'm really whacking the loud handle but I'm also having more fun.

I only have about 350 miles on it so I am just breaking it in so far.

I have been shifting around the 2500-3000 rpm range. I have been riding in Northern VA/DC.....not a lot of relaxed riding here.

 

[Bob Denman]

I thought it was you in another thread who insisted on shifting at 3,000 :dontknow: Or am I confusing you with one of the other Oracles :roflblack:/QUOTE]
:shocked: I'm no oracle...

But I did stay at a Holiday Inn, and read the autobiography of Bozo the Clown! :roflblack:

I've always been a "low and slow" shifting kind of guy!

 

[Mr. White]

I live two miles from IH10 coming west out of San Antonio. The speed limit is 75 (80+ for the red necks). When I merge, I have it screaming.... RPM? Don't know, as I am too busy dodging the 'necks.....oh, and the limit changes to 80 down the road...(talking about 85 soon....ya hoo) Gas mileage, who cares, it is what it is. Ha ha, when you leave Study Butte, TX heading for Presideo, ya fill up every time you see a station....like every 50 miles or so....hmmm, one or two, maybe.

:spyder2:

 

[garb55]

Thanks for the good tips. I stopped pumping when the pump clicked. I do that in my SUV, but maybe I could have pumped a little bit more to get it to full.

Your SUV has a filler neck that the pump goes into so when the pump clicked off the tank is full and the gas is filling the neck
the :spyder2:has no filler neck and the nozzle goes right into the tank so if you stick the nozzle in all the way the pump clicks off before the tank is full

 

[garb55]

I thought it was you in another thread who insisted on shifting at 3,000 :dontknow: Or am I confusing you with one of the other Oracles :roflblack:/QUOTE]
:shocked: I'm no oracle...

But I did stay at a Holiday Inn, and read the autobiography of Bozo the Clown! :roflblack:

I've always been a "low and slow" shifting kind of guy!

Bob
Don't you mean "low and slow" SHIFTY kind of guy :roflblack::roflblack: