SuzukiSavage.com - How many gears 86

Seven YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 5	How many gears 86 07/04/14 at 03:28:31 So I've had my new Savage about a month. I only get 4 gears out of it... is that normal for an 86 or do I have a broken trans... I tried searching on the formus but nothing comes up. Thanks in advance!
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Steve H Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1223 Spartanburg, SC Gender:	Re: How many gears 86 Reply #1 - 07/04/14 at 03:29:35 It's a 4 speed.
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Seven YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 5	Re: How many gears 86 Reply #2 - 07/04/14 at 03:32:25 Wow thanks for the quick reply. Sorry for asking but can I upgrade to more gears and also what is my top speed on it... I noticed it has 55 highlighted on the tac. I haven't rode it on the highway for that exact reason.. I don't want to be a bike driving slower than granny!
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Yoshi Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 874 LongIsland, N.Y. Gender:	Re: How many gears 86 Reply #3 - 07/04/14 at 04:47:57 Ive never had my bike past 81 mph but it can go that fast The 4 speed is geared differently then the 5 speed and both can go that quick and will be at around the same rpm the 4 speeds have a higher 4th gear (less shifting) which is great! Its not the best highway bike as it'll be at 4000 rpm at 60mph Enjoy it and be safe!
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oldNslow

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Re: How many gears 86
Reply #4 - 07/04/14 at 04:52:40

I don't know if it's possible to install the 5 speed transmission from a newer model bike or not but it's, not worth the trouble even if it is. There is no significant difference in the top speed. Some folks on here actually think the four speed bikes are better. I have a 2006 five speed and there is very little difference between fourth and fifth gear.

55 is probably highlighted on your speedo to remind you that (when your bike was built) the speed limit practically everywhere was 55 MPH.

Don't worry about riding on the highway. As long as your bike is in good shape it should be perfectly happy at 65 - 70.

Top speed will vary a bit depending on your weight, tire size etc. but should be in the 80 to 90 mph range.

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Seven YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 5	Re: How many gears 86 Reply #5 - 07/04/14 at 05:12:01 Sweet thanks guys, I don't ride my bike hard. I felt 60ish sounded as I was pushing it but 60-70 is good for me
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S-P Serious Thumper Offline Back in the saddle again Posts: 816 Phoenix, AZ Gender:	Re: How many gears 86 Reply #6 - 07/04/14 at 13:50:37 I had an '86 4 speed and now a 5 speed. I liked the 4 speed better. It seems like first and second in the 5 speed is too close and is annoying. Also, I've heard the 5 speed only knocks off about 500rpm off the top speed, so it's not a huge difference.
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Serowbot

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OK.... so what's the
speed of dark?

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Re: How many gears 86
Reply #7 - 07/04/14 at 13:59:48

Gearing won't max you out... gearing will take you to 94mph at redline...

A stock Savage in good running condition has enough HP to get up to around 88mph according to factory specs... 4spd or 5spd...
Being a 25 year old bike,... I'd hope for 80 or 85mph... still, that's enough for highway...

...here's a stock 5spd for comparison...
(not really worth bothering to upgrade... Wink

...

... a 140/90-15 rear tire will add a little...

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Ludicrous Speed !... ... Huh

...

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Jeff71 Senior Member Offline I'm a bike noob!!!!! Posts: 378 South of Chicago, the suburbs Gender:	Re: How many gears 86 Reply #8 - 07/06/14 at 13:50:48 How would the gearing/ speeds be affected by running the 400-18 firestone tires? I'm planning on running a set for my future CS-1 conversion. Thanks! Jeff
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BalingWire Full Member Offline "The savage in man is never quite eradicated." HDT Posts: 238 Wauseon, Ohio Gender:	Re: How many gears 86 Reply #9 - 07/06/14 at 17:36:01 I use my 5 speed like a 4 speed half the time. I'm just gawking at crops and farms anyway, without having to pedal.
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Seven

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Re: How many gears 86
Reply #10 - 07/07/14 at 16:47:04

Serowbot wrote on 07/04/14 at 13:59:48:

Gearing won't max you out... gearing will take you to 94mph at redline...

A stock Savage in good running condition has enough HP to get up to around 88mph according to factory specs... 4spd or 5spd...
Being a 25 year old bike,... I'd hope for 80 or 85mph... still, that's enough for highway...

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/serowbot/rerun/4spd.jpg

...here's a stock 5spd for comparison...
(not really worth bothering to upgrade... Wink

...
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/serowbot/rerun/stockchrt.jpg

... a 140/90-15 rear tire will add a little...

great info! I guess I should consider gearing the sprockets before the trans Grin

I do want to switch over to a chain eventually!

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mpescatori

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Re: How many gears 86
Reply #11 - 07/09/14 at 00:58:03

Hi Seven, mpescatori here from Rome, Italy.

I have an '88 4-speed.

With the standard tire 140/80x15 and the standard belt drive I felt the bike was a wee bit short-legged, so I swapped to a 140/90x15, a wee bit longer legged.

At the same time, I went for the famous "chain conversion" and replaced the belt drive (2,96:1) with a 530 chain (you want a 530 over a 520 because of the torque of the big single) and 17/49 sprockets.
Final drive is now 2.88:1.

I thought going from 2.96 to 2.88 wasn't going to make much of a difference...
I thought going from a 140/80x15 to 140/90x15 wasn't going to make much of a difference...
...I thought...
Roll Eyes

I was wrong.
Tongue

For starters, the speedo now underreads by at least 8%, so that if it reads... 55mph I'm actually doing at least 60-62...
...Oh, Hello, Officer, how's the weather ? Lips Sealed

Secondly, whereas I could previously putt-putt my way through traffic in 4th gear, I'm now stuck in 3rd... 4th gears is only good beyond 45-50mph.

So, take it from me, unless you only do slabside at 60mph, beware of altering your final ratios too much or else the bike will magically become a 3-speed... Tongue

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Maurizio Pescatori, Esq.
Gentleman Rider

Mikuni BST40, K&N filter, Stage2 cam, Verslagen tensioner, Sportster muff, 120 proof moonshine, Pirelli MT 66 tourers... and a chain conversion too !

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S-P Serious Thumper Offline Back in the saddle again Posts: 816 Phoenix, AZ Gender:	Re: How many gears 86 Reply #12 - 07/09/14 at 16:57:45 mpescatori wrote on 07/09/14 at 00:58:03: So, take it from me, unless you only do slabside at 60mph, beware of altering your final ratios too much or else the bike will magically become a 3-speed... This should be posted in the tech department. Excellent post!
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