RPM and my problems.

[bobtasco]

JUst bought a 250 not to long ago. I love it, love riding it, but have one small problem that maybe all can relate to. Needless to say I am also new to motorcycling and manual clutches. I live in a neighborhood ridden with stop signs and the speed limit is 25. I Have to shift from first at around 10 mph, then to second, which maxes at 20, on to third to reach 25, only to have to slow down for the stop sign coming up so I slow down, stop then shift down to first. repeat ad naueseum. Is this because my bike is a 250?

Sure, shifting like this is a pain, but when I get out there, I have no clue when I can downshift. I am told you always downshift, but I'm not sure why, but it does become near impossible without a tach

My bike has no tach. I have to guess when the bike's rpms are low enough and if i'm right, I slow down, if I'm wrong, which I usually am, I engine brake like an idiot and jerk aroudn all over the place. Is this a skill you eventually gain?

Also, I am not sure if I am redlining. Is it easy to redline on a bike? I am worried that I am pushing my bike in a lower gear and nearly killing it when I could be simply doing a easy task in a higher gear. Should I always put the bike in the highest gear comfortable for the speed? How much does a tach run and are they easy to install?

[Scott58]

At speeds 25 and below with alot of stop and go. It's just the nature of the beast. You may get close to redlineing if your doing 25 in first but no way in second. your engine will be screaming when your close to redline so I doubt if that's the case for you. My Rebel doesn't have a tach either, but as you get used to riding your bike the shifting becomes instinctive. The down shifting is mainly used for engine braking, but it also keeps you in optimum gear in case you find yourself in a situation you have to accelerate out of. You don't want to be in 3rd gear at 15 mph and need to gas it to avoid being slammed in to, especially on a 250. Just stay in the gear that gives you good power at what ever speed you happen to be going.

[Scoutmedic]

I Have to shift from first at around 10 mph, then to second, which maxes at 20, on to third to reach 25, only to have to slow down for the stop sign coming up so I slow down, stop then shift down to first. repeat ad naueseum. Is this because my bike is a 250?

The recommended shifting for my 800 cruiser is 12/19/25/30.

Sure, shifting like this is a pain, but when I get out there, I have no clue when I can downshift. I am told you always downshift, but I'm not sure why, but it does become near impossible without a tach

Check the Owners manual on your bike for recommended downshifting speeds. For me, it's a couple mph lower than the upshift speeds.

My bike has no tach. I have to guess when the bike's rpms are low enough....Is this a skill you eventually gain?

You'll definitely learn the "ins and outs" of your bike the longer you have it.

How much does a tach run and are they easy to install?

This will depend on the year/model of your bike as well as your abilities. Try finding some through a search engine or eBay to get an idea on prices and instructions.

[swifty's revenge]

only to have to slow down for the stop sign coming up so I slow down, stop then shift down to first. repeat ad naueseum. Is this because my bike is a 250?

yes...there are bikes that will do highway speeds in first gear. my ujm does 20-25 in first easily with no undue revving.

I have no clue when I can downshift. I am told you always downshift, but I'm not sure why, but it does become near impossible without a tach

not always, only if you've slowed enough that the gear your in is too high; meaning that the engine is turning at a speed where it doenst produce very much tourqe. a for instance--an rpm at which when you quickly open the throttle you get nothing but a slightly louder sound, thats probly time to downshift.
if you are deccelerating it is wise to keep the gear handy you might need to accelerate right away.

Also, I am not sure if I am redlining. Is it easy to redline on a bike? I am worried that I am pushing my bike in a lower gear and nearly killing it when I could be simply doing a easy task in a higher gear. Should I always put the bike in the highest gear comfortable for the speed?

I doubt your redlining on that bike...but you might be.IT would be really really noisy and it would sound like it';s exploding. you should be in a gear that keeps it "somewhere in the middle" with practice i think you can get a feel for it.
good luck

[VermilionX]

The recommended shifting for my 800 cruiser is 12/19/25/30.

the recommended shifting for my bike is total BS!

and looks like it's the same for other bikes as i could see from your 800 cruiser recommendations.

[VermilionX]

yes...there are bikes that will do highway speeds in first gear. my ujm does 20-25 in first easily with no undue revving.

yeah, my previous 1000 can go up 98mph in 1st gear.

my current 750 can go up to 80mph 1st gear.


not having a tach really sucks. have looked into installing one for your bike?

[bok]

in my opinion, installing a tach is a bad idea for a new rider.

depend on the sound of the engine and the throttle response, not the tach or the speedo.

you want to keep your head up and looking around not down at the instruments.

not saying that you don't need to look at them so you don't speed, but a quick glance is fine. Using them to guide your shifts will make you look down more than you should.

[Scoutmedic]

Just be careful "screaming" through residential neighborhoods. People tend to assume you're flying if the engine is screaming and will be more likely to complain. It may be a PITA shifting often when surrounded by houses but, it's also more respectable and responsible IMHO.

[Sev]

I gotta ask a 250 WHAT?

Shifting patterns greatly depend upon the style and type of both the bike and the engine.

[CNF2002]

I purposely shift to quiet down the engine when riding through neighborhoods.