imported post
i get in 5th gear asap and leave it there as long as possable
i get in 5th gear asap and leave it there as long as possable
What Gear do you cruise in?
imported post
I looked around and didn't see a similar post to this so I thought I would open one up myself.
I admit that I've been a V-Twin rider for over 25 years with the exception of one pocket-rocket back when I was 18. Now that I've upgraded to the baddest set of wheels I've ever ridden I am having a hard time getting used to the gearing.
It almost seems like 1st gear isn't really even needed in most situations although I do use it all the time.
My question is what gear / rpm do you usually cruise around at? I find that when I am going between 40 and 50 I feel as if I'm either revving the heck out of 3rd (around 3k RPMs) or bogging 4th. I notice when I am on the highway going say 75 in 5th that the motor is revving at or a little above 3k RPMs but it feels totally different of course because of the speed.
As I said this is completely new to me so I know there is going to be a learning curve with a sick 6 cyl under me. I've only had the bike for two weeks as of today (Monday). I went on about a 5 hour ride yesterday and found myself around that 40 - 50 mph mark with the above mentioned results.
This is why I pose the question to the All Knowing ones here :clapper:
Let me know what you think / do with your wings and if you find a difference in your MPG. I've only filled up a few times but I've seen 29.7 MPG & 32.5 MPG so far.
I looked around and didn't see a similar post to this so I thought I would open one up myself.
I admit that I've been a V-Twin rider for over 25 years with the exception of one pocket-rocket back when I was 18. Now that I've upgraded to the baddest set of wheels I've ever ridden I am having a hard time getting used to the gearing.
It almost seems like 1st gear isn't really even needed in most situations although I do use it all the time.
My question is what gear / rpm do you usually cruise around at? I find that when I am going between 40 and 50 I feel as if I'm either revving the heck out of 3rd (around 3k RPMs) or bogging 4th. I notice when I am on the highway going say 75 in 5th that the motor is revving at or a little above 3k RPMs but it feels totally different of course because of the speed.
As I said this is completely new to me so I know there is going to be a learning curve with a sick 6 cyl under me. I've only had the bike for two weeks as of today (Monday). I went on about a 5 hour ride yesterday and found myself around that 40 - 50 mph mark with the above mentioned results.
This is why I pose the question to the All Knowing ones here :clapper:
Let me know what you think / do with your wings and if you find a difference in your MPG. I've only filled up a few times but I've seen 29.7 MPG & 32.5 MPG so far.
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imported post
Around town I seldom get out of 4th. The highway depends on road conditions, but generally I like to stay 60-70 at 2500-3000 RPM. I agree that 1st gear is to low in most situations. Your mileage is very LOW! I average 40-42, and has been even since before break in.
Around town I seldom get out of 4th. The highway depends on road conditions, but generally I like to stay 60-70 at 2500-3000 RPM. I agree that 1st gear is to low in most situations. Your mileage is very LOW! I average 40-42, and has been even since before break in.
imported post
I very seldom rev to 3000 rpm with my 1500. The 1800 has more power yet. These engines have tons of torque at the lower rpm's and they really don't bog unless you are down below 1500 rpm. Roll on a little throttle and she will pull .
I very seldom rev to 3000 rpm with my 1500. The 1800 has more power yet. These engines have tons of torque at the lower rpm's and they really don't bog unless you are down below 1500 rpm. Roll on a little throttle and she will pull .
imported post
I've logged over 90,000 miles on 1800's and I'm surprised you feel your bogging the engine at 40-50 in 4th gear. If your just cruising around on level fairly level terrain at 40-50 (stuck in traffic?) 5th gear should be fine. Your low gas mileage also indicates to me that you need to up-shift. Even if your riding fairly hard, your mileage should be in the upper 30's.
First gear on an 1800 does seem very low compared to most other bikes and it takes awhile to get used to it. Tiny inputs on the throttle will make the bike jump. Feathering the clutch helps. When I first started riding an 1800, I seldom used first gear. Over time I started using it more and more. Now I always start off in first.
I've logged over 90,000 miles on 1800's and I'm surprised you feel your bogging the engine at 40-50 in 4th gear. If your just cruising around on level fairly level terrain at 40-50 (stuck in traffic?) 5th gear should be fine. Your low gas mileage also indicates to me that you need to up-shift. Even if your riding fairly hard, your mileage should be in the upper 30's.
First gear on an 1800 does seem very low compared to most other bikes and it takes awhile to get used to it. Tiny inputs on the throttle will make the bike jump. Feathering the clutch helps. When I first started riding an 1800, I seldom used first gear. Over time I started using it more and more. Now I always start off in first.
imported post
An 1800 will accelerate from 1000 RPM with light throttle. If above 30 MPH on level ground I ride along in 5th gear and it doesn't feel like it's lugging. Don't get me wrong I usually ride it like I stole it on the back roads and still get 40+ MPG.
An 1800 will accelerate from 1000 RPM with light throttle. If above 30 MPH on level ground I ride along in 5th gear and it doesn't feel like it's lugging. Don't get me wrong I usually ride it like I stole it on the back roads and still get 40+ MPG.
imported post
detdrbuzzard wrote:
detdrbuzzard wrote:
Ditto.i get in 5th gear asap and leave it there as long as possable
imported post
It depends on the terrain for me. I have the Santa Ana mountains in my backyard. If I'm up for fun, I keep it a gear lower than normal and have fun scraping pegs.
Running a wing at 4k+ RPM is an eye-opener if you seldom get above 3k. And, no, you won't break it!!
Otherwise, I'm on DetDrBuzzard's side, and get it to 5th on the highway, but I also cruise at 80-85 mph.
It depends on the terrain for me. I have the Santa Ana mountains in my backyard. If I'm up for fun, I keep it a gear lower than normal and have fun scraping pegs.
Running a wing at 4k+ RPM is an eye-opener if you seldom get above 3k. And, no, you won't break it!!
Otherwise, I'm on DetDrBuzzard's side, and get it to 5th on the highway, but I also cruise at 80-85 mph.
imported post
I'm not one of the all knowing here, but I cruise at rpms of 1500 to 2500 and shift as little as possible with the exception of Interstate speeds where I approach 3000. Rarely, except in crotch rocket mode, do I wind the old girl out. Sometimes you just gotta put the wind to the sails.
I'm not one of the all knowing here, but I cruise at rpms of 1500 to 2500 and shift as little as possible with the exception of Interstate speeds where I approach 3000. Rarely, except in crotch rocket mode, do I wind the old girl out. Sometimes you just gotta put the wind to the sails.
imported post
Took me a bit of getting used to higher RPMs too. If you're used to the throb of a v-twin the wing's useful range might seem high and buzzy. I try to keep it between 2k and 3k for cruising and will occasionally see the red line in first and second if I'm in a hurry.
BTW, I *always* use first, mostly for acceleration in case of emergency.
Took me a bit of getting used to higher RPMs too. If you're used to the throb of a v-twin the wing's useful range might seem high and buzzy. I try to keep it between 2k and 3k for cruising and will occasionally see the red line in first and second if I'm in a hurry.
BTW, I *always* use first, mostly for acceleration in case of emergency.
imported post
I had just the opposite problem about a year ago.
Rented a Harley in Chicago, and couldn't get myself to get it to top gear. I couldn't understand being on the Interstate, doing 60mph at less than 2k rpm. I kept it in third or maybe 4th.
I couldn't go above 60mph with it, because the combination of no fairing/windshield, and the rented cereal-bowl helmets made the wind noise unbearable.
I had just the opposite problem about a year ago.
Rented a Harley in Chicago, and couldn't get myself to get it to top gear. I couldn't understand being on the Interstate, doing 60mph at less than 2k rpm. I kept it in third or maybe 4th.
I couldn't go above 60mph with it, because the combination of no fairing/windshield, and the rented cereal-bowl helmets made the wind noise unbearable.
imported post
25-125mph, 5th gear, what a range
Actually havent achieved 125 yet, my tattletale GPS says top speed at 97.4. Dont remember when, but it says I did.
25-125mph, 5th gear, what a range
Actually havent achieved 125 yet, my tattletale GPS says top speed at 97.4. Dont remember when, but it says I did.
imported post
Well, I'm sure not "all knowing" because I've only been on my leftover 2008 wing less than three months. But I too get in 5th ASAP and find that it will pull smoothly and surely from 35 mph to whatever without the engine complaining at all. No substitute for displacement and torque.
I generally cruise 68-70 mph at somewhere around 3K. With a mix of small town traffic and highway miles, I get about 39 mpg. Highway only, I have gotten 42. But I have less than 3,000 miles on it, so I suspect it will improve as it gets a little more limbered up.
Hope you enjoy many happy miles on your Wing.
mike
Well, I'm sure not "all knowing" because I've only been on my leftover 2008 wing less than three months. But I too get in 5th ASAP and find that it will pull smoothly and surely from 35 mph to whatever without the engine complaining at all. No substitute for displacement and torque.
I generally cruise 68-70 mph at somewhere around 3K. With a mix of small town traffic and highway miles, I get about 39 mpg. Highway only, I have gotten 42. But I have less than 3,000 miles on it, so I suspect it will improve as it gets a little more limbered up.
Hope you enjoy many happy miles on your Wing.
mike
imported post
Same for me. On Interstates its 5th gear and cruising rpm for as long as possible.
Same for me. On Interstates its 5th gear and cruising rpm for as long as possible.
imported post
Depending on road conditions,speed limit, and traffic, I cruise at 2800-3500 rpm and average around 42 mpg in that rpm range on an '08 'Wing riding 2 up. As far as the use of 1st gear, it's REAL handy when stopped on a steep slope of any sort. I don't have a trailer, but I would guess that with a trailer, it would be nice/necessary.
And you're right about coming from a V-twin world to the 'Wing world...it's different, but my bride really enjoys the difference. Therefore, so do I...kinda comes under the heading of "If Momma ain't happy, nobody's happy".:action:
Depending on road conditions,speed limit, and traffic, I cruise at 2800-3500 rpm and average around 42 mpg in that rpm range on an '08 'Wing riding 2 up. As far as the use of 1st gear, it's REAL handy when stopped on a steep slope of any sort. I don't have a trailer, but I would guess that with a trailer, it would be nice/necessary.
And you're right about coming from a V-twin world to the 'Wing world...it's different, but my bride really enjoys the difference. Therefore, so do I...kinda comes under the heading of "If Momma ain't happy, nobody's happy".:action:
imported post
The 1200 likes higher rpms. I try not to let it drop below 2500 rpm so I stayin at least 4th around town. I will generally shift out around 3500 rpm but every now and then tac it up to about 6000 rpms. I do that just to blow out carbon. I usually get 38 mpg around town and 40-43 on the highway and I run 75-80 most of the time.
The 1200 likes higher rpms. I try not to let it drop below 2500 rpm so I stayin at least 4th around town. I will generally shift out around 3500 rpm but every now and then tac it up to about 6000 rpms. I do that just to blow out carbon. I usually get 38 mpg around town and 40-43 on the highway and I run 75-80 most of the time.
imported post
i reb my 1100 up to 5 grand or so before i shift up and when im cruising 5th gear is ok if i keep it around 55mph or so if im going 60-70mph you let off the throttle to scratch your nose, adjust the boys what ever you just feel the LURCH backwards and loose 10 to 20mph in a heart beat
a 1500 will fix those problems for me any one wanna donate to the poor biker fund????
i reb my 1100 up to 5 grand or so before i shift up and when im cruising 5th gear is ok if i keep it around 55mph or so if im going 60-70mph you let off the throttle to scratch your nose, adjust the boys what ever you just feel the LURCH backwards and loose 10 to 20mph in a heart beat
a 1500 will fix those problems for me any one wanna donate to the poor biker fund????
imported post
peterbilt wrote:
I run my 1100 any where between 2500 and up. I usually run 100kmh at 3000 but when on the big road I run 120+ at 4500 and still get over 220km per tank. All riding two up.
James
peterbilt wrote:
Your using the wrong hand peterbilt:dude:i reb my 1100 up to 5 grand or so before i shift up and when im cruising 5th gear is ok if i keep it around 55mph or so if im going 60-70mph you let off the throttle to scratch your nose, adjust the boys what ever you just feel the LURCH backwards and loose 10 to 20mph in a heart beat
a 1500 will fix those problems for me any one wanna donate to the poor biker fund????
I run my 1100 any where between 2500 and up. I usually run 100kmh at 3000 but when on the big road I run 120+ at 4500 and still get over 220km per tank. All riding two up.
James
imported post
Get in 5th and go. I regularly cruise around in 5th at 30-45 mph. It will kick it up very quickly without downshifting.
Get in 5th and go. I regularly cruise around in 5th at 30-45 mph. It will kick it up very quickly without downshifting.
imported post
Most of the time I'm pretty conservative with my bike. I like to shift at 2500 rpm unless I need to accelerate in a hurry. 2500 gives very smooth clean shifts and plenty of torque. I don't cruise as fast as some of you, usually about five over on the slab and most non residential roads. Residential areas I stick to the speed limit. There's really no real good reason to rev the 1500 above 4500 or thereabouts because the torque curve begins to fall off there. Max acceleration will be shifting at 5000 because each upshift will drop the tach around 500rpm which will keep you in the main torque band. It's fun and the bike sounds good but does increase the fuel burn. A 1500 won't go much past 120mph unless it's been modified because that's where it hits the rev limiter. I've had mine very close to 120 but never quite reached it due to cop sweat.
Most of the time I'm pretty conservative with my bike. I like to shift at 2500 rpm unless I need to accelerate in a hurry. 2500 gives very smooth clean shifts and plenty of torque. I don't cruise as fast as some of you, usually about five over on the slab and most non residential roads. Residential areas I stick to the speed limit. There's really no real good reason to rev the 1500 above 4500 or thereabouts because the torque curve begins to fall off there. Max acceleration will be shifting at 5000 because each upshift will drop the tach around 500rpm which will keep you in the main torque band. It's fun and the bike sounds good but does increase the fuel burn. A 1500 won't go much past 120mph unless it's been modified because that's where it hits the rev limiter. I've had mine very close to 120 but never quite reached it due to cop sweat.
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