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Shift Zone?

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:32 am
by Artticus
Shift zone?

Hi wondering where everyone shifts seems like i shift at or around 6-8. I have a cruiser by the way. Is that a safe zone?

Thanks

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:34 am
by Kibagari
That actually totally depends on your bike. A good rule of thumb, though, is that if you shift and the bike starts to chug and sputter, you shifted too soon. If it acts just fine when you shift, then it's a safe time to shift. Most motorcycles don't have/need the "hey, idiot! Shift me!" light that most cars do. Just listen to the engine, it'll tell you when it has to shift.

Happy riding.

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:11 am
by slimcolo
"hey, idiot! Shift me!" light that most cars do
WHAT? Shift light on a car?

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:59 am
by Artticus
Just seems like when im passing people i get up into the 7-8 rpms and just wondering if i should not be there.

I know that with a car it would be horrible.

Josh

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 9:11 am
by Jas0n
Question regarding the Ninja 250

I shift at around 6 or 7 rpms when cruising. However, if I wanted some good accerlation, I would need to shift at 10 or 11 right?

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 1:29 pm
by Kibagari
WHAT? Shift light on a car?
Yes, manual cars have shift lights because cagers have no idea how to shift based on engine sound or tach. Kinda pathetic, huh?

And as for your question regarding the 250, Jas0n, yes, 10-11k is where the Ninja starts to get good acceleration.

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:42 pm
by Crocket07
Yes, manual cars have shift lights because cagers have no idea how to shift based on engine sound or tach. Kinda pathetic, huh?
Wow... that's sad. I'm proud to say I own a 1981 Camaro and I have never had the desire to put a shift light in it although I have friends who say I need one. I go by the sound (because my tach is off) :D

For a rebuilt engine would you need to keep the RPM's lower than normal our can u wind it out just fine? I'm getting a 1981 Yamaha XS650SH from my uncle and were rebuilding it top to bottom so I'm kinda curious.

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:09 pm
by Sev
16000 rpm and I'll shift.

Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:33 pm
by onin24eagle
When the engine stops pulling, SHIFT!

Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:01 am
by Nibblet99
Crocket07 wrote:
Yes, manual cars have shift lights because cagers have no idea how to shift based on engine sound or tach. Kinda pathetic, huh?
Wow... that's sad. I'm proud to say I own a 1981 Camaro and I have never had the desire to put a shift light in it although I have friends who say I need one. I go by the sound (because my tach is off) :D

For a rebuilt engine would you need to keep the RPM's lower than normal our can u wind it out just fine? I'm getting a 1981 Yamaha XS650SH from my uncle and were rebuilding it top to bottom so I'm kinda curious.
I believe over here they're known as "idiot lights" 8), only ever seen them on sportsbikes, and on the grand prix cars on TV



shift before your rev needle is pointing at the red bit (going up), or before the engine feels like its about to stall (going down)