When do you shift to 5th ???

[arntufun]

I have been struggling with this question. First off, I think my Spyder is running great when I DRIVE it, so I don't think it has anything to do with the engine. I know around the powerband should be around 5k rpm's. But, when I shift to 5th the Spyder seems to bog down. The Spyder feels to me, it does not like to be in 5th until I'm at about 65 mph or over. Is this normal ??? Anything less it seems to bog down. Unless I'm on the highway, I barely ever hit 5th. Most of our county roads the speed limit is 55 mph and if I shift to 5th to lower the rpms to save fuel, there is bogging and no power. I do have a pipe on it with a 02 mod, but even before the changes it was like this. How does your Spyder act ???

 

[Y Rider]

After about 1500 miles of both city and highway riding I finally figured out that the bike really likes to live in the 5K+ RPM world. Runs smooth, plenty of torque and good gas mileage. I never get into 5th gear now unless I am running highway speeds of 65 MPH or faster. I will still downshift to pass. :2thumbs:

 

[jedd]

I let mine spin too, 5th when traveling or relaxing, otherwise county back roads I'm in 3rd and 4th alot I like 6500-7000 rpm's when ride aggressive.

Jim:thumbup:

 

[Eraser]

I think that "sluggish" feeling at 5000 is normal.I run my bikes in the 6300-7000 area...they run smooth as silk in that range, lots of the guys do so as well.

 

[flamingobabe]

I purchased my Spyder almost a year ago and it was used with 1700 miles....I always shifted at about 4500 to 5000 rpm's because of the whinning in the engine......this week my husband and I wrapped the pipes and put new gaskets on the exhaust and I now have a different bike......1st notice was the sound.....lower and quieter....but when I ride I don't hear that whin and I going up to 5500 to 6000 before shifting and run in 4th until about 60 to 65.....I really feel like I have a new bike...thanks to my better half

 

[Wheeler~]

I have been struggling with this question. First off, I think my Spyder is running great when I DRIVE it, so I don't think it has anything to do with the engine. I know around the powerband should be around 5k rpm's. But, when I shift to 5th the Spyder seems to bog down. The Spyder feels to me, it does not like to be in 5th until I'm at about 65 mph or over. Is this normal ??? Anything less it seems to bog down. Unless I'm on the highway, I barely ever hit 5th. Most of our county roads the speed limit is 55 mph and if I shift to 5th to lower the rpms to save fuel, there is bogging and no power. I do have a pipe on it with a 02 mod, but even before the changes it was like this. How does your Spyder act ???

I find that above 5.5k rpm's my Spyder has best response in 5th gear and at 4k to 5k in 5th gear best mileage. If quick response is needed when in 5th gear and I'm running under 5k rpm, down shifting to 4th and accelerating to 6k or more and then up shifting to 5th, gives me that quick boost I was looking for. Like you, " I think my Spyder is running great when I DRIVE it". Thus the ongoing question, wouldn't a forward 6th gear resolve this issue?

 

[woodchuck]

SHIFTING

I have been struggling with this question. First off, I think my Spyder is running great when I DRIVE it, so I don't think it has anything to do with the engine. I know around the powerband should be around 5k rpm's. But, when I shift to 5th the Spyder seems to bog down. The Spyder feels to me, it does not like to be in 5th until I'm at about 65 mph or over. Is this normal ??? Anything less it seems to bog down. Unless I'm on the highway, I barely ever hit 5th. Most of our county roads the speed limit is 55 mph and if I shift to 5th to lower the rpms to save fuel, there is bogging and no power. I do have a pipe on it with a 02 mod, but even before the changes it was like this. How does your Spyder act ???

I must have an oddball :spyder2:. With me and my wife on it, I am in fifth gear about 45 MPH.:clap: The engine does not bog down and there is a lot of power without down shifting. The only time I down shift is when I come to a stop. When I follow my brother who has a Honda Valkyrie and there is a short passing area, I some times will down shift to keep up with him.
I just wish that the :spyder2: has a sixth gear. To many RPM s for my driving.

 

[kentuckyguy]

I must have an oddball :spyder2:. With me and my wife on it, I am in fifth gear about 45 MPH.:clap: The engine does not bog down and there is a lot of power without down shifting. The only time I down shift is when I come to a stop. When I follow my brother who has a Honda Valkyrie and there is a short passing area, I some times will down shift to keep up with him.
I just wish that the :spyder2: has a sixth gear. To many RPM s for my driving.

Same with us...

 

[arntufun]

I find that above 5.5k rpm's my Spyder has best response in 5th gear and at 4k to 5k in 5th gear best mileage. If quick response is needed when in 5th gear and I'm running under 5k rpm, down shifting to 4th and accelerating to 6k or more and then up shifting to 5th, gives me that quick boost I was looking for. Like you, " I think my Spyder is running great when I DRIVE it". Thus the ongoing question, wouldn't a forward 6th gear resolve this issue?

I must have an oddball :spyder2:. With me and my wife on it, I am in fifth gear about 45 MPH.:clap: The engine does not bog down and there is a lot of power without down shifting. The only time I down shift is when I come to a stop. When I follow my brother who has a Honda Valkyrie and there is a short passing area, I some times will down shift to keep up with him.
I just wish that the :spyder2: has a sixth gear. To many RPM s for my driving.

:hun: Now I'm really confused. If I barely ever use 5th, why on earth would we need a 6th gear. Can someone explain this further. My Spyder does not like 5th until 65 mph or over. So when would we use 6th, on the autobond ??? :dontknow: Maybe there is something wrong with my Spyder. Will the RT run differently than the RS ???

 

[Y Rider]

:hun: Now I'm really confused. If I barely ever use 5th, why on earth would we need a 6th gear. Can someone explain this further. My Spyder does not like 5th until 65 mph or over. So when would we use 6th, on the autobond ??? :dontknow: Maybe there is something wrong with my Spyder. Will the RT run differently than the RS ???

With a 6th gear you could lower the gear ratios on 1 through 5. This would give much you more torque on the low end. 6th gear would be what 5th is now.

 

[napper39]

im one of those short shifting guys that get better gas milage and my spyder never feels bogged down,i go to 4th gear around 32 miles an hour and stay in 4th till around 50 mph then 5th and have plenty of power and thats riding two up most of the time.i have the open can muffeler and 02 mod.i did put a socket in the end of the muffler and that gave me a little moore tq.the muffler was too loud with out putting the socket at the end thus making it qouter.:2thumbs::chat:

 

[pierrelogic]

"Riding"
1st ~ 0-19 mph
2nd ~ 20-32
3rd ~ 30-44
4th ~ 40-58
5th ~ 59+

"Hammering"
1st ~ 0-25
2nd ~ 20-40
3rd ~ 30-50
4th ~ 45-65
5th ~ oops, need to slow down

 

[ThreeFeet]

:hun: Now I'm really confused. If I barely ever use 5th, why on earth would we need a 6th gear. Can someone explain this further. My Spyder does not like 5th until 65 mph or over. So when would we use 6th, on the autobond ??? :dontknow: Maybe there is something wrong with my Spyder. Will the RT run differently than the RS ???

Nothing wrong with your :spyder2: the motor is a high RPM-er 4t doing 55 is good doesn't hurt it.RT is a diff :spyder2:altogether. i am still learning where it is comfortable for the motor. But when getting onto the freeway no holds barred!!!! petal to the metal THEN fit in where I am comfortable. Just ryde. Have fun and stay safe.

 

[weaponjr]

Same as pierrelogic, then I added the v1 radar detector...

 

[DynamoBT]

"Riding"
1st ~ 0-19 mph
2nd ~ 20-32
3rd ~ 30-44
4th ~ 40-58
5th ~ 59+

"Hammering"
1st ~ 0-25
2nd ~ 20-40
3rd ~ 30-50
4th ~ 45-65
5th ~ oops, need to slow down

OK, now I feel better. I thought I was "pokey". But, I see that I am fine. Better than "fine". I'm moving right along!!! :thumbup:

 

[draboo]

redline

 

[freebob]

:hun: Now I'm really confused. If I barely ever use 5th, why on earth would we need a 6th gear. Can someone explain this further. My Spyder does not like 5th until 65 mph or over. So when would we use 6th, on the autobond ??? :dontknow: Maybe there is something wrong with my Spyder. Will the RT run differently than the RS ???

I have RT and only use 5th gear at interstate speeds of 65 up :thumbup:..

Freebob...:doorag:

 

[IWN2RYD]

Keep in mind... The RT gearing is not the same as the RS... So an RS in fourth @5000 rpms is actually going slower than an RT at the same rpms and gear...


Anyway... Two up changes either bike and how I drive. I either ryde for peace and quiet, Drive like I am a rock star, or let the bike tell me what she wants at the time (Terrain dependent). Most of the time I am in 4th @ 5000 rpms on the hwy or 5th (50-55 mph) with my radar running @ 5000 rpms (65+)...

 

[arntufun]

With a 6th gear you could lower the gear ratios on 1 through 5. This would give much you more torque on the low end. 6th gear would be what 5th is now.

Oh, now i see what you mean. In all my other two wheelers I've had, I would accomplish that by changing the teeth on the sprockets. Thank you for the lesson I should have already known. pps:

 

[NancysToy]

I have RT and only use 5th gear at interstate speeds of 65 up :thumbup:..

Freebob...:doorag:

:agree: ...or even closer to 70-75.