Shifting

[Utah Geezer]

Bought my Limited used (1,500 miles on her) and haven't had the opportunity to talk to a dealer yet. What is the proper technique for shifting gears. Do you let off of the throttle while shifting like you would with a motorcycle when using the clutch or do you stay on the throttle and just shift and the machine transitions into the gear on its on own. I have tried both ways and staying on the throttle while shifting seems to be so much smoother. Don't want to damage anything this early in the game.

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

If you have a SE5 then you can just stay on the throttle. I can't speak for SM5

 

[Dwanton]

Great question !

I have a couple add ons and now it must get too much fuel cause if I hold the throttle and shift I will get a slight backfire on each shift . If I let off and shift it doesn't do that .

Also - the temp outside makes a difference for my spyder , she does not like the heat , but much rather be ridden hard .. Shifting up at 6000 rpm's or higher and holding the throttle she sounds awesome . But still has that slight pop or backfire when switching gears -- I say it sounds like a bike at the track with an air shifter .
When I am in normal traffic and just cruising slow , it is loading up and just yelling for more throttle and to go faster ... Just doesn't want to go slow .

I need a dyno as soon as I can afford it . No one seems to want to share there tune from a dyno .

 

[Chazzman]

Do not let off the throttle shift at 5K RPM's or more.

 

[Utah Geezer]

Thanks

Thanks for the info on how and when to shift. I've been shifting at 3000 to 3500 and it looks like I should shift more around 5000. Good to know exactly how as well. Sure is smoother not letting off the throttle.

 

[Bob Denman]

I've shifting at about the same rpm levels that you have... It doesn't seem to be huring the bike any! :thumbup:

 

[harrypottar]

I've shifting at about the same rpm levels that you have... It doesn't seem to be huring the bike any! :thumbup:

I have no idea what I'm talking about but my dealer told me to shift above 3500 rpm some thing to do with the clutch always spinning and should be above 3k - 3.5k to stop damage to the clutch.

I'm not mechanical so open to being corrected.

harry

 

[ARtraveler]

The shifting technique as mentioned above. You will find a sweet spot somewhere between 4000-5500 where you will get a seemless shift. Mine likes 4500 rpm's. Run the throttle up to the shift point, don't let off, punch the shift and repeat as necessary.

Downshifting can be automatic and it will kick in about 2500 rpm's. I usually downshift mine at about 3000 rpm's for seemless downshifts.

Experiment around with it and find what works best for you.

 

[Utah Geezer]

Seemless

Went out and tried all the info out. Worked great and pretty seemless shifting right around 4,000. Thanks everyone that made a great difference in smoothing things out. This site is great.