Total Motorcycle Community Forums

As I'm getting more used to my Shadow VLX 600, I find myself wondering why they choose to go with 4 gears instead of 5. I won't pretend to understand the gear ratio, I still have problems hanging a picture so any kind of detailed mechanical explanation would be
Though I understand the 4 gears allow you to have a higher ratio, which then in turn enables you to reach a higher speed in each gear...okay why is this good or bad?

My only complaint with the four gears is between 40 and 45mph it feels awkward. 45 3rd feels like it's straining to cruise, 4th if I need to pick up even a few mph I feel as though I'm lugging it.

Soon I will get down to the garage and actually take some decent pictures to post!

The number of gears has nothing to do with faster speeds and such, that all depends on the ratios of the gears, and you can make the final drive ratio whatever you like when designing a tranny.

What it does do is change how the engine has to work while reaching top speed. The engine RPM will drop less each time you shift a 5 speed, as the ratios of each gear are closer together with one more gear to fill in any large gaps in the ratios. An engine with a 4 speed will have to run through a broader RPM range for each shift as the ratios are father apart.

My car has a really tall second and thrid gear and at first I thought it sucked but now I have grown to like it. I don't need the ultimate power for driving round town and the taller gears keep me from shifting as much. I don't recall just how far I can take it in 2nd, I think it's close to 60 and 3rd takes me all the way to 90. It's a 6 speed tranny but it could work as a 5 speed or even 4 for that matter. Don't get me wrong I like the 6 speed tranny but I doubt it's really needed. I want a gearbox that has all but the last gear or final drive to be close spaced an maximize my takeoff. Then the 5th or 6 gear to simply drop or just bog or max fuel economy on the freeway. If I need to pass somone I know how to shift down to the pervious gear.

You 4 speed if setup properly could be a blessing in disguise.