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RS-Se5 and high RPMS

S

Spyder in La.

New member

...My buddy has a 2012 RS-Se5 with less than 4kmiles..He purchased the bike in 2012... His dealer inspected the bike to identify the cause of transmission inability to shift pass 3rd gear and high engine temps... The gear sensor was replaced & re-calibrated and he was instructed to remain in 3rd gear until his speed reaches 65mph because the RS is designed to operate at higher rpms than the RT/ST..:shocked:. He also has TBR dual exhaust.

I would appreciate some feedback /opinions on this subject.:popcorn:. thanks
 
need to shift at

With the se5 you need to shift with rpm higher then 3500 rpm to make sure the clutch has fully engaged. Below 3500 rpm the clutch has not fully engaged and Can do damage.
 
greatrides said:
With the se5 you need to shift with rpm higher then 3500 rpm to make sure the clutch has fully engaged. Below 3500 rpm the clutch has not fully engaged and Can do damage.
Click to expand...
:agree:
........... But he runs 5k-6k rpms before he shifts to 3rd and the same for 4th... Aren't the operating instructions posted somewhere on this site?
 
POWER BAND

The V-twin rotax is a double overhead cam engine with 4 valves per cylinder and yes they run best at higher RPM's the power band is right around the 5k to 6k range so yes you don't need to shift into 5th gear until about 70 MPH or so. It seems strange at first however it will all make sense once you try it you will notice how smooth the engine is and how much more power you have when you want it or need it and yes shifting gears below 3500 RPM will wear your clutch out and is also not good to lug the engine. Keep her wound up you will love it.:ohyea:
 
chuck gross said:
The V-twin rotax is a double overhead cam engine with 4 valves per cylinder and yes they run best at higher RPM's the power band is right around the 5k to 6k range so yes you don't need to shift into 5th gear until about 70 MPH or so. It seems strange at first however it will all make sense once you try it you will notice how smooth the engine is and how much more power you have when you want it or need it and yes shifting gears below 3500 RPM will wear your clutch out and is also not good to lug the engine. Keep her wound up you will love it.:ohyea:
Click to expand...

:clap: Thanks, I'll pass it on...
 
My ride is a 2012 RSS Se5 with a Hindle exhaust which now has 25,762 miles on it :yes: Too be honest I can't relate much to shifting at a certain speed. I shift by the sound of my engine which generally is at 5 - 6 K on the tach at each shift. I find my baby's sweet spot to be about 5200 - 5500 rpm. I can't say much about the RT, because I've never ridden one. Besides I know I'll get a lot of crap from everybody, but I'm only 45 and they remind me of something my grandpa would drive or should say, could afford. Sorry to hear of your friends problems. Other than basic maintenance and a coil, I've been pretty much problem free. Just my 2 cents
 
Have to agree..!!

With those above. It is hard to get used to running high rpm's on these v-twins. Even not haven riden by sound and seeing movies most feel all twins are like harley's. We did have one fella who complaind and finally got rid of the roadster because he couldn't run it at low rpm's...:hun:
 
Jerbear said:
"..My buddy has a 2012 RS-Se5"


:trike: roflmao
Click to expand...

.... LOL.... I own a 2013 ST-L ... This is his first bike and he's convinced that he can't shift to 4th gear at less than 65mph. My concern is the potential damage to his engine as the weather gets warmer..

..Again, thanks for feedback!!!!
 
RED LINE

Red line is at about 9K for the V-twin rotax so as long as he keeps it well below 9K he can't really hurt the engine and yes 65 in third gear will be pushing the engine to higher RPM's than necessary he should be in 4th gear at that speed. Like many people have said if he keeps it in the power band somewhere between 5K to 6K for cruising it will run like a top and no worries. :yes:
 
Just because the motors power band is at 6k doesn't mean its a good idea to cruise there... While it won't hurt the motor, your just wasting fuel. Dont be afraid to shift up. Just don't cruise with the revs much under 4k.
FYI- 55mph is 3800-3900rpms in 5th gear......

Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Think of it this way, your car probably makes its best power at 5k rpms, but you don't cruise down the highway or around town at those engine speeds


Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using Tapatalk
 
DrewNJ said:
FYI- 55mph is 3800-3900rpms in 5th gear......
Click to expand...

55mph is exactly 4000 rpm's in 5th gear on my 2012 RS SE5 (and has been since I got it at 880 miles on the odometer). And I mean, EXACTLY 4000 rpm's, on a level roadway no passenger mostly emptry frunk. I keep tire pressures at ~5 psi over recommended max pressure.

I prefer to upshift between 3500 and ~4K rpm's for normal accelleration... under hard accelleration I get up to 5K rpm's or higher before I upshift. I generally avoid accellerating that hard though during my rides.

Just because max power is made at higher rpm's with the Rotax V-twins doesn't mean that's the ideal rpm range to upshift. To each their own, though. :sour:

I'm at ~4500 miles now and have experienced no mechanical issues with the powertrain at all. Little weirdness with the fuel gauge just once, not sure why and hasn't done that again.

- Michael
 
DrewNJ said:
Just because the motors power band is at 6k doesn't mean its a good idea to cruise there... While it won't hurt the motor, your just wasting fuel. Dont be afraid to shift up. Just don't cruise with the revs much under 4k.
FYI- 55mph is 3800-3900rpms in 5th gear......
Click to expand...
Thank you! :clap: :thumbup:
 
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