SE5 Shift points

[jonnysevel]

So i took everyone's advice and started running the RT at much higher RPMs. not shifting out of 1st until above 28mph and almost 7000 RPMs. I have also been running the bike at 6000 rpm. I now rarely get out of 2nd gear on the back roads. I am getting LOUSY gas mileage... only about 125 miles per tank. I went through the manual today again and it states to shift into 2nd at 3000 rpm...Who is RIGHT? The bike has 5 gears...I will never use 5th ever unless I am doing 120. this can't be right. Gonna call BRP tomorrow.
Jonny

 

[Farmbanker]

I shift about 5500 Rpms regardless on my RT. Mileage was lousy first 2000 miles and improved a lot after that. 5th gear I only use at 65 and above. Runs great when I operate it like this...


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[happyspyder2039]

So i took everyone's advice and started running the RT at much higher RPMs. not shifting out of 1st until above 28mph and almost 7000 RPMs. I have also been running the bike at 6000 rpm. I now rarely get out of 2nd gear on the back roads. I am getting LOUSY gas mileage... only about 125 miles per tank. I went through the manual today again and it states to shift into 2nd at 3000 rpm...Who is RIGHT? The bike has 5 gears...I will never use 5th ever unless I am doing 120. this can't be right. Gonna call BRP tomorrow.
Jonny

i shift up at 5200 rpm & shift down at 4000 which is 30 mph 1 to 2 -3 40 mph 4th 50mph 5 th - 60mph average 30 - 32mpg depending on city or hwy

 

[NancysToy]

You can shift wherever you like, as long as the rpm remains above 3500 after the shift to avoid clutch damage. 3500 is unlikely to give you the best mileage, however. The Spyder needs to be in it's torque band to do that...beginning about 4500-5000. What all this means is that you should shift about 1000 rpm higher than the final rpm you want to maintain. On a straight and level road, with no traffic, and no passengers or trailer, minimal rpm works fine. If you are in traffic, or on hills or repeated curves, or carrying a load, you will likely want to be further into the power band for more throttle response, better engine braking, and to avoid lugging the engine.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Generally speaking; "stab the paddle" at 5,000 rpm and all will be okay. :thumbup:

 

[jerpinoy]

Owners manual I relied on. As you mention 7000 is too high. Wondering the 120 mph on 5th gear. How long can you maintain this?

 

[ulflyer]

:agree: Generally speaking; "stab the paddle" at 5,000 rpm and all will be okay. :thumbup:

+1 Bob's got it right. I'll run 5th as long as its above 4K.

 

[Bob Denman]

Owners manual I relied on. As you mention 7000 is too high. Wondering the 120 mph on 5th gear. How long can you maintain this?

probably for right up until the mineshaft runs out of space! :yikes:

 

[SpyRyd]

I'll run 5th as long as its above 4K.

:agree:. Typically shift from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd at ~5500RPM; from 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th at ~5000RPM. I'll cruise in 5th gear no matter the speed as long as the RPMs stay above 4000. Consistently get 30MPG and occasionally a little better...almost 20,000 miles of smiles on my '12 RT Ltd.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Shifting Point

Botom line answer. You can shift any time you want to.

If you want to take some good advice then take all the answers and average them out. From what I have learned in the past yea is (1) you have to be flexible (2) you have to develop a sense of feel for what your equipment feels most happy with (3) no one can do any more then give you guidelines to work with.

The best over all adviser on the forum is Scotty (Nancy's Toy). He makes more common sense then most. I have learned a lot about the Spyder but it is still a gather, review and decide operation.

Myself is I ride where the engine sounds and feels happiest and that is some where between 3,000 and 7,000 RPM for our Florida terrain, temperatures and humidity levels.......

 

[YIRYDE]

Here is a very informative thread that has helped out a lot of owners.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...ew-Spyder-owners&highlight=spyder+riding+tips

 

[Mackingangsta]

Ok

What are the shift points on an sm5?

 

[NancysToy]

What are the shift points on an sm5?

Wherever you want them to be with the manual clutch. The Spyder engine is happiest above 4500-5500, however, and gets better fuel mileage if it isn't running too low.

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree: Generally speaking; "stab the paddle" at 5,000 rpm and all will be okay. :thumbup:

Exactly what I was going to recommend. The 7000 rpms might be a little on the agressive side. I use fifth gear when I reach 65 mph and above.

At 35,000 miles I pretty much average 30 mpg. YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY. (I decided to use this disclaimer now when talking mileage). :roflblack:

 

[retread]

Best mileage I've gotten with a Spyder is about 38, that was my GS, being run between 4 and 6 K, using the gears to match the speed limit. The best I've gotten with my RT has been 33, ryding the same way.

john

 

[flaggerphil]

So i took everyone's advice and started running the RT at much higher RPMs. not shifting out of 1st until above 28mph and almost 7000 RPMs. I have also been running the bike at 6000 rpm. I now rarely get out of 2nd gear on the back roads. I am getting LOUSY gas mileage... only about 125 miles per tank. I went through the manual today again and it states to shift into 2nd at 3000 rpm...Who is RIGHT? The bike has 5 gears...I will never use 5th ever unless I am doing 120. this can't be right. Gonna call BRP tomorrow.
Jonny

I do most of my shifting around 5000 to 5500 rpm and the bike is very happy. I sure don't know about 7000 rpm...that seems kinda excessive.