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Message started by tbear on 08/20/07 at 11:34:08

Title: Shift points
Post by tbear on 08/20/07 at 11:34:08

Hey Savages!!! Good afternoon from hot, sticky Iowa. Time to ride and catch the breeze to cool down. Before I go I have a question concerning shift points. I've only been riding for 800 miles (thats what my bike has for mileage) and I'm still obeying the break-in rules. Checking my owners manual, I see that the recommended max speed for each gear for break-in between 500 and 1k is: 1st=25mph, 2nd=40mph, 3rd=55mph, 4th=70mph, and 5th=75mph. Is this correct? Can I really hit 55mph in 3rd before shifting to 4th? Is the thumper capable of this high of rpm? 35 or 40 mph in 3rd seems to be winding the single up pretty high, let alone 55mph? Or am I just afraid to use all my bikes engine potential?

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by thumperclone on 08/20/07 at 12:48:15

i from the school ride it like you stoled it..
that said i was on my second oil change by 1000 miles with magnetic drain plug...go to mototuneusa.com and look up break in...

Title: If it breaks, it probably needed replacing anyhow
Post by Paladin on 08/20/07 at 13:15:08

The Thumper has a remarkably wide power range. I normally ride at the low end, lug the engine horribly. I regularly pull from 30 mph in 5th as I absolutely love that slow heavy thump - thump - thump. I've been as low as 25 mph in 5th and simply cranked the throttle wide open and thumped off.

On the other hand, hopping onto the freeway I don't care to mess around -- I'll be merged and at cruising speed in 3rd. Can't say what speed, but has to be between 60 and 70.

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by sluggo on 08/20/07 at 13:37:07

here are the shift points as explained by dave f on another forum

1st - Shift up when the bike stops accelerating.
2nd - shift up when the mirrors begin to buzz.
3rd - shift up when bugs stop bouncing off your face and begin to splatter.
4th - shift up when your mouth suddenly fills with air and begins to function as a air scoop.
5th - shift up when you forget there is no sixth gear.

thats about all you need to know of shift points.

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by tbear on 08/20/07 at 14:57:05

LOL!!!

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by forrest on 08/20/07 at 16:01:38

Oh man! You mean there is more than 1 gear on this bike?????????????

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/20/07 at 17:32:41

Sluggo,

I have to ask.....what is that picture of? I really cant tell:-)

Also,does your bike kinda lunge(sp) forward when you change gears? Rather when you go into another gear.

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by sluggo on 08/20/07 at 17:49:47

FreeSpirit wrote:

Sluggo,

I have to ask.....what is that picture of? I really cant tell:-)

Also,does your bike kinda lunge(sp) forward when you change gears? Rather when you go into another gear.

the picture.... it's a still from last years "burnout video"

follow the link to youtube. i do need a few more hits.. so everybody go check it out again

http://youtube.com/watch?v=E4pnqtSfqcM

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by Max_Morley on 08/20/07 at 18:09:58

Do this sometime, start out in 2nd and then skip 3rd and go to 4th. Seems our Savages will almost work with a 2 speed. Very flexible, depends on how much go you want at the moment. Max

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/20/07 at 18:51:34

I think my question was overlooked:

does your bike kinda lunge(sp) forward when you change gears? Or when you go into another gear.

I asked because I'm new to riding and wondered about this.....if anybody dosent mind answering :-)

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by Soon on 08/20/07 at 19:03:23

Maybe your just not up to speed when you shift, sorta like your not going fast enought then you shift and then it lugs cause you still to slow to for the next gear.

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by Reelthing on 08/20/07 at 19:28:03

FreeSpirit wrote:

need to let off the throttle a little more when you shift - assume your giving it fair bit of throttle - high power bikes will pull wheelies or smoke the back tire instead of lunge if you keep the throttle where it was when you shift

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by wrongwayair on 08/20/07 at 20:21:24

sluggo wrote:

the picture.... it's a still from last years "burnout video"

follow the link to youtube. i do need a few more hits.. so everybody go check it out again

http://youtube.com/watch?v=E4pnqtSfqcM

ok, i'll go check the video to make sure. But I swear, I thought it was a dental xray all this time ;D

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/20/07 at 21:29:06

The picture:

I kinda thought it might be a big fist squashing a Harley :-)

But the more I looked at it,I just had to ask :-)

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by sluggo on 08/20/07 at 21:43:14

i generally use the wot with slight blip to shift with out clutch. up and down. only lunge i get is the one i'm ready for.

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/20/07 at 21:45:15

Reelthing wrote:

Reelthing,

Youre right, I was giving it too much gas.....whew,so much to remember when youre learning :-)

I'm glad its not too high powered :-)

Thanks!!

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/20/07 at 21:50:30

sluggo wrote:

i generally use the wot with slight blip to shift with out clutch. up and down. only lunge i get is the one i'm ready for.

Sluggo,

You generally use the ......what?

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by sluggo on 08/20/07 at 22:12:44

FreeSpirit wrote:

Sluggo,

You generally use the ......what?

wide open throttle: wot i get really poor milage, but it is fun.

wot is a technique used in two stroke engines. either on or off, little inbetween. it's a lube thing. oil mix with fuel more fuel more lube. there is no sump for oil storage, it's all burned up in combustion proccess. that'w whey the tell tale blue smoke out a two stroke.

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/20/07 at 22:21:13

Oh,ok....Thanks,I wondered what that was.

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by firsts40 on 08/20/07 at 22:24:09

Tbear, I ride very conservatively, and I have found my own shift points that feel good for me and the bike. On just a easy relaxing ride, I shift to 2nd at around 15, to 3rd at around 25, to 4th at around 35 and to 5th at around 45. I like to keep it just above the "bucking" speed so I have smooth acceleration. If I am pulling out onto a highway or a main State highway, I add around 5MPH, maybe a little more. I am running completely stock.
Relax, be alert, ride safe and enjoy. 8) ;D

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by forrest on 08/21/07 at 04:49:50

Freespirit,

There is a lot to remember when starting out. I found a key to making everything "mesh" is a few minutes leading up to getting on the bike I do a little visualization of riding, safety, and awareness. I find if I just jump on and take off, like ya can in a car, I feel a little out of sink; don't constantly check my 6, shift kinda funny, brake either a little too late or early.

I also find if I "think" about shifting I'm not as smooth; same problem if I "think" about hard turns and twisties.

Just my personal zen to riding.

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by Reelthing on 08/21/07 at 06:25:55

in the morning when you're getting your zen lined up - put a small chunk of 2"x4" under the kick stand and eyeball the oil sight glass - only takes about 30 sec to see that the oil level is where you expect it to be and reasonably clean - most of these singles will use some oil even when new as they huff and puff out the breather tube far more than a multicylinder engine that takes a little oil mist with it

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by FreeSpirit on 08/21/07 at 09:22:41

Thanks Forrest and Reelthing....

Very good info!! I appreciate it !

Now if I could just make it cooler somehow in this hot weather....I'm still riding slower than you guys,while learning :-)

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/21/07 at 16:03:16

Reelthing wrote:

So, when I need to add a splash every 200 or so miles, that doesnt mean the engine is allowing oil down past the valve guides or up last the rings & burning it? I have been concerned. How do I know which is happening? The exhaust is not smoking bule,soo? Clues?

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by Reelthing on 08/21/07 at 17:26:36

justin_o_guy2 wrote:

Hummm, someone might be ride'n like they stole it 8)guess you could do a leak down test to check for leaky rings - valve guides might be tougher to check

Title: Re: Shift points
Post by T-Mack1 on 08/21/07 at 18:59:37

Define a splash......2 oz, 5 oz, 5 cc etc etc.

Have someone ride behind you on sunny day and watch for smoke. Also, check the exhaust soot. It should be powder-y, not greasy.

Also check spark plug.....it's a great indicator.

Do you know if the engine has been rebuilt????