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Message started by seb481 on 06/27/09 at 18:52:57

Title: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by seb481 on 06/27/09 at 18:52:57

I'm new to riding and the first thing I did when I bought my 2002 LS650 was reading the owner's manual.

The manual gives the following shifting up schedule:

1st to 2nd at 12mph
2nd to 3rd at 19 mph
3rd to 4th at 25 mph
4th to 5th at 31 mph

I tried to follow this schedule but it seems way under. If I follow it, the bike has a hard time riding as it clearly needs more speed.

For me, the following seems to be ideal:

1st to 2nd at 12mph
2nd to 3rd at 25 mph
3rd to 4th at 35-40 mph
4th to 5th at 50 mph

I'm about 170#.

What do you guys think? Do you think I should try to stick to what the manual says or should I go with my instinct.

Again, I'm a brand new motorcyclist (less than 100 miles under my belt...). I've been driving car with sticks forever though so I really know when to upshift or downshift.

Your feedback on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :)

Title: Re: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by bill67 on 06/27/09 at 20:05:19

It doesn't matter when you shift,But I shift about were the books says,Not because the book says it,But because it feels right and sounds right too me.

Title: Re: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/27/09 at 20:21:21

The engine is good for a whole bunch more RPM than 12 MPH in 1st makes. You could run the thing up to 4,000 RPM in 1st & not hurt anythin, but it would look,sound & feel goofy. Just grab the throttle & run it, change gears when you feel like it. Some rides, I shift at low rpm, others, Im winding it up & playing hard. Its a good bike, have fun.

Title: Re: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by serowbot on 06/27/09 at 21:45:20

Your instincts are good..... shift by the manual and you are lugging the crap out of it.
For some reason, all bike manuals do that.... :-?

Welcome to the Savage community... ;D

Title: Re: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by fretman on 06/27/09 at 21:52:49

564047111D14250 wrote:

I'm no expert (been riding all of two months), but I'm finding the sweet spots on my s40 are right about where you said. The manual suggestions are right from 1st to 2nd, after that, all bets are off.

Title: Re: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by thumperclone on 06/27/09 at 22:40:53

look at page 4-2 under break in
the chart you quote is mininum UP shift speeds(to keep from lugging)
after break in of the bike AND the rider shifting becomes second nature..

Title: Re: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by BurnPgh on 06/28/09 at 02:00:39

I shift every 10 mph generally. 1st up to 20, 2nd up to 30 and so on.

Title: Re: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by Pabst 2006 on 06/28/09 at 05:44:05

This helped me after I got my '08, as initially I was upshifting too early and not taking advantage of the engine's powerband. It helped me to know what speeds the engine will redline at in each gear, in order to figure out a good sweet spot for shifting.
It's in the manual too, but I'll put it here as well:
1st - 35mph, 2nd - 55mph, 3rd - 75mph, 4th - 95mph, 5th - 100mph (good luck getting a stock bike to go that fast, but it's there for a reference pt).

I shift about every 15mph. 1-2 @ 20, 2-3 @ 35, 3-4 @ 50, 4-5 @ 65. Now I do have to say I spend a lot of time riding in expressway/superslab traffic around 65-70mph, so that's why I wait a bit more before upshifting.

Title: Re: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by PTRider on 06/28/09 at 07:35:43

Seb

I agree with Thumperclone and Pabst. Shift where it feels right to you for the riding you're doing at that time. The book shift points are the absolute minimum speeds. Shift at higher points when you need (or want to enjoy) more power. When entering traffic, at times you must have more power to be safe.

Have you taken the Basic Rider's Course? If not, do so. It's not perfect, but it is a huge benefit. Also there are some very good books on safe, fun, effective riding. David L. Hough has three that are the best. Start with his first. Keith Code aims his books at track and canyon racers but has excellent techniques for all of us. James Davis has an excellent web site, as does Boomer Biker (http://genjac.com/BoomerBiker/) for riders of all ages.

Title: Re: Upshifting / Downshifting
Post by seb481 on 06/28/09 at 08:21:16

Thank you all of you guys for your good advice. It's greatly appreciated :)