Proper speeds and RPMs for shifting

[amodoko]

Hi guys, I'm still new to motorcycles, I just got my first bike last week to practice with. It's a 1981 suzuki gn400, I paid around 800 bucks for it so I was happy. I think it's top speed may be around 80 mph and it is about 27 HP and its engine size is of course 400cc. I'm trying to get into an MSF course but I couldn't wait to test my bike out.

I practiced going into first gear and I did fine with that. But before I get into higher gears, I was wondering if anyone could tell me at what speeds I should shift gears for smooth riding? I know all bikes are different but I was wondering if anyone would be able to at least estimate for me what the ideal speeds for shifting were from 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th?

When shifting into first I was revving around 3 to 4 thousand RPM I believe, is this the RPM I want for all gears when shifting?

Thanks gusy in advance, always appreciate the help.

[VermilionX]

When shifting into first I was revving around 3 to 4 thousand RPM I believe, is this the RPM I want for all gears when shifting?

Thanks gusy in advance, always appreciate the help.

it depends on your style.

as long as you're not red-lining it, you can shift whatever rpm you desire and of course, make sure the road conditions allow it should you decide to shift later and accelerate faster.

i don't follow a certain rpm when to shift. it all depends on road condition, cops included.

[Kal]

Each bike, especially when it gets older is individual.

The power curve on yours will be broadly the same as for other GN400's of similar age.

A good rule of thumb is to use your ears, if she is screaming change up, if she is chugging change down, if she is humming then she is in the sweet spot.

[NorthernPete]

use the ears, as Kal said. I find with my bike, about 5 K RPM is about when it needs shifting... it gets a little higher as you get into 3rd and 4th.

[VermilionX]

man! you guys save too much gas.

i say let it scream!

[NorthernPete]

man! you guys save too much gas.

i say let it scream!

we dont run out either.....

[VermilionX]

we dont run out either.....

that will never ever happen to me again.




now that you mentioned it... me and dirtytoes saw a rider pushing his bike yesterday. dirty went back to try to see if he's fine and i followed. i guess he also ran out of gas since the bike doesn't look damaged. dirty was the one who spoke to him.

[Kal]

man! you guys save too much gas.

i say let it scream!

Racereps are supposed to scream, however if you make it scream too much by redlining it all the time then it wil go boom.

[Shiv]

Yah, ear it.

It should go 'rrrreeeeeeeoowwwnnnn' and when it gets up to the 'ownnn' part you need to shift up so it goes back to 'rrrrrrrreeee'.

But if it's going 'chug chug chug' then you need to shift back down.


I love explaining sound via text...

[VermilionX]

Racereps are supposed to scream, however if you make it scream too much by redlining it all the time then it wil go boom.

i know, and when i do push it... i pay attention to my tach so i always ease off the throttle when im near the redline, i don't even let it touch the redline.

i need to practice more and get a feel for what's it's like hitting the power drop off so that i don't have to watch the tach anymore.

afterall, once i get this, i'll have more attention points to spare on other stuff.