what rpm do you like to keep your bike at (in town driving)

1357 Views 20 Replies 20 Participants Last post by Nightrider1, Jun 25, 2009

bbach

Discussion Starter · Jun 24, 2009

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As I was commuting to work and back I began to wonder if I should be in a lower gear, running the rpm's up a bit more at city street speed limits of 25 and 35 mph. Currently, 2000 rpm seems to give me a feel for the speed limit without watching the speedometer. That means mostly 3rd gear in town. What do you like to do, higher gear lower rpm or keep her winding out a bit?

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Jluvs2dive

· #2 · Jun 24, 2009

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I like to keep it around 5K myself. :cheeky1:Jk

I'm usually between 2K & 3K. It's a good power range on the 1500for moving quickly when needed.

John

Geezerglider

· #3 · Jun 24, 2009

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Jluvs2dive wrote:

I'm usually between 2K & 3K. It's a good power range on the 1500for moving quickly when needed.

Same here. Usually 3rd & 4th gear except where speed limit is 50 or more.

wilkoi

· #4 · Jun 24, 2009

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4th or 5th. You want RPM for quick get away, downshift.

AZgl1800

· #5 · Jun 24, 2009

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Cruising at 40 or less, 4th gear if a short distance. 1 mile or more, I'm into 5th gear by 35-40. That flat six will pull good enough in 5th for me most of the time.

I see something that wants better response, click, click, and 3rd will get you where you need to be. :action:

Mike Toon

· #6 · Jun 24, 2009

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Between 2K & 3K.

bbach

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 24, 2009

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Pretty much in agreement. I do notice this thing will pull out of a low rpm situation in most any gear, but I prefer not to lug an engine.

Silicon Sam

· #8 · Jun 24, 2009

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My GL1100 sounds best at around 3K. I don't even shift into 5th gear unless I am over 60-65 mph...

cntryboy1289

· #9 · Jun 24, 2009

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Same here, I used to watch the rpm's close as I could for better fuel economy, but the bike loves to stay as close to 3000 rpm's as it can. I never shift into 5th anymore unless I am going to stay above 45mph and faster.

corventure

· #10 · Jun 24, 2009

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I feel you have it right. I like to keep the rpm's above 2000 when in motion. The 1800 really starts to build power at about 3000rpm+. Around 2000 it can pull out of a hole if the gear I am in is not too high..... say 2nd or 3rd. It all depends on traffic and road conditions and speed. On the other hand.... I know at least one guy who likes to waller!

Bagzzz

· #11 · Jun 24, 2009

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In my daughter's new car, there is an intantaneous gas mileage indicator. I was shocked at how bad the milage is when RPM's are low. Often the machine is much more efficient at higher RPM's. I thinK crossing it over to the 1500, the most efficient would be 2000 to 2500 just based on the power feeling. That range feels like the most efficient because it takes very little throttle to maintain it while at higher and lower RPM's it takes more throttle to go the same speed or accelerate. Also I've seen posts on this forum from experienced riders who say that above 3000, mileage drops.

midwing

· #12 · Jun 24, 2009

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I find the GW most comfortable around the 2500 rpmbut I try to keep her below 3000 rpm for the sake of fuel economyand I save OD for the highways.

MW

derekhendry

· #13 · Jun 24, 2009

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normally 3rd and 4th gear, same sort of revs. My dad was old school and had his car in top gear at about 20mph poor cars were working twice as hard but he thought he was saving fuel

rgbeard

· #14 · Jun 25, 2009

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Okay - I just ran my 100-mile one-way commute from my customer, considering your thread, trying to figure out the motivations behind what I do by instinct.

You're making me think, darn-you!!!! :X

40mph is a 4th gear speed for me on the GL-1200.

In 5th, the engine is about 2,000 rpm, and in 4th it's 2,500 rpm.

I want the extra 500 rpm for two reasons: 1) accelleration 2) engine braking.

At 2,000 rpm, engine braking is almost absent. At 2,500 it's enough to allow me some responsiveness to traffic and changing speeds.

That's too much thinking - I need a drink now!! :toast::alco:

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SpiderBob

· #15 · Jun 25, 2009

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I feel comfortable between 2500 and 3000 either 4th or 5th.

Dancinbear

· #16 · Jun 25, 2009

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I agree that 3000 is the magic number. My 1200 seems to like it there. When bringing it up to speed I run through the gears as so the bike seems to be working effortlessly.... this means about 3500 rpms. At highway speed my bike runs 62 mph @ 3000 rpms. And I think Mother Honda intended it to be that way. At 3500 rpms it runs down the interstate in OD @ 70 mph'ish like a sewing machine all day long. In town I like 3rd gear at 35mph..... Good snap if you need it and will pull you down if need be also. It never gets more than 4 bars on the heat guage.... even yesterday with a 102 F heat index.

Exavid summed it up very well a while back..... he likened it to riding a bicycle. Pedal in 10th gear and work your leggs to death to maintain, or dropp down a couple gears and pump your legs faster but more easier on your muscles. Same as lugging an engine and wearing on them rod bearings.

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ScooterTramp

· #17 · Jun 25, 2009

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I keep it close to 3000 rpm. Shift at 4000. Never get any higher than 3rd gear, in town. Don't go into 5th gear unless I can hold 65 or better.

Dubswing

· #18 · Jun 25, 2009

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In town I want to keep it in a gear that keeps the engine in its power band so that I can react to any situation. So anything above 2000 RPM for me is a good place to start. I will down shift as soon as I feel the slightest lug of the engine. Hope this helps.

Bernie

jimsjinx

· #19 · Jun 25, 2009

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With me, it's an auditory thing. I am tuned into the engine sound and use the tach as a reference. I like rappin her out(the trike, not Barb!), and getting down the road! I was showing Barb how strong the 1500 pulls one time, and I rapped it up to just below actual "RedLine", and man does that feel great! Not abusive, just a smooth roll and shift! Ihe Goldwing enginr is the best!!jimsjinx

chris in va

· #20 · Jun 25, 2009

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Around town, probably 3-4k. My 83 absolutely hates to loaf. If I let out the clutch at 2k and give it decent gas, the bike makes this ratcheting sound like someone running their finger over a haircomb.

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