Ninja 500 (EX500) 370lb
not over 400
RPM at 70, 6k
redline 9k  6k is 'cruiseing'

S40 380 IIRC
RPM at 60 4k
redline (not achievable in top gear) 6.8k 4k is cruising

difference, S40 is all in at 80-85, and running it that fast all the time will wear it out
running the EX500 at 80-85 is still cruising
love the S40, it's a great bike
it's not a great interstate bike
do what you like, you will anyway, but you're going to beat the poor thing to death in short order

I don't know where MeeLee lives - but I most likely would not buy a Hyosung anything.....as there is nowhere in this area to get parts for one.  And if I am riding through several states - where am I going to get a part if I need something?  (Sort of the same reason that I haven't bought a BMW yet...Suzuki/Yamaha/Honda parts are so much easier to get).

I did a dealer search for the Cincinnati area, and the closest Hyosung dealer is 77 miles away.....the next closest is nearly 300 miles up along the northern Ohio border!

The Savage (S40) will cruise the slab up to around 75 mph (indicated) with stock gearing nice and smooth. With stock gearing, that long stroked engine starts to hate you when the needle approaches 80, though. I've taken her on the slab before. No crazy long road trips, though.

From what I've gathered, the fastest speed limit in the country is 75, and the Savage can do that and hold it easily. All you've got to worry about is the people who go faster than the posted speed limit (generally everyone, depending... ).

Considering the data I've reviewed (rather than actual experience ), I would recommend at least a 130/90-15 or 140/90-15 as opposed to the stock 140/80-15, for even the 130/90 offers taller effective gearing than the 140/80. Of course, that depends on whether you want to use tire size or sprockets to affect gearing. Some say the 130/90 handles a little better than the wider/taller 140/90.130/90 is the also the standard size for that rim-- NOT 140/80 or 140/90. Of course, you could stick with 140/80 and use the 25t sprocket, provided that you find a 140/80 in a brand that you like.  

Guys, he already has experience running a Rebel on the slab. He knows what he's getting into.  

I don't think this guy is looking for the "ideal Interstate bike" is he? He's just looking for something like a Rebel with a little more pep for the highway.

The question he should really ask himself is this: Do I really want something in the league of the Honda Rebel, but with a bigger, fuel sucking engine? If yes, then fine.

I have no experience with alternate gearings. With that said, remember that first gear will become taller and harder to deal with if you gear up. Also, our little thumper has a sweet spot. Go too low, and despite her long stroke, she'll feel luggy, jerky, and vibratory. Too high, and it feels inefficient. She likes to rev, but she doesn't . You have to get her just right. I understand completely your concern about running around 45 mph with alternate gearings. I've had that same concern: whether she'll be in the  sweet spot in that crucial little speed. Ya gotta have a gear for every kind of condition.   You need a gear for pulling out and low speed stuff, a gear for 25 mph town driving, a gear for 35 mph, a gear for 45 mph, one for 55-65, and a top Interstate (Autobahn if you're German ) gear. Unfortunately, our Savage doesn't have 6 well spaced gears.   At best it has 5 weird gears .

Check http://www.gearingcommander.com/ for the 5 speed LS650 data. Her peak torque is around 3500 rpm, and, depending on tuning, this practical power curve goes up to around 4500 (or from 3000 to 5000 if you're optimistic and all-inclusive). Now, in the lower gears (or lower loads), as you may know, you wont need to cruise at 3500 in many cases since that's just overkill, but 3000 is a good number for moderate speed low load cruising.

Interpreted: 3500-5000 rpm for highway. 3000-4000 for backroads and towns. First and second gear can handle even lower rpms, however. The website indicates that 25 mph in 2nd is around 3k. This is overkill for lazy town riding, so taller gearing may actually help here. There is a huge jump between 2nd and 3rd gear. @ 25, 2nd is a little too much, and 3rd seems luggy . 2nd is very relaxed at 20 (indicated), though.

This is a combination of personal experience and studying Gearing Commander . it also follows the experience of others here. If anyone has any comments, you're welcome.

In addition, I have found that, in my experience, downshifting to 4th gear at highway speeds is not very helpful. It pulls great in top gear around 55+

cheapnewb24 wrote on 02/08/16 at 18:23:54:


The fact that he's been running a Rebel on the freeway and is now looking at the S40 doesn't tell us anything other than he has a Rebel and he's maxed it out up there and found it insufficient.  The fact that he's been looking at the S40 tell us that he's looking for something more like an S40 than a Rebel. He's also made it clear that he doesn't want it to run out of breath at his ideal speed and that weight is a concern.  This is why I recommended the bike I recommended.  It fits everything he's mentioned without the $1000 worth of mods that would be needed to give the S40 the legs to do what he wants.  I don't need the gearing commander to tell me that. I've owned both and have the experience to give the GV250 the nod.  I was simply offering a suggestion.  It's ultimately up to him to decide what to do.  I might also mention that all your numbers (and emoticons) are most likely not going to do anything to help in that decision.  My 2¢    

My bike doesn't like being in 5th gear below 45 mph at the lowest. I'll usually keep it in 4th until I hit 45-50. Below that i just keep
It in 4th for the power. Probably isn't using much more gas, and I don't get a good pull until I'm at 50 in 5th.

chzeckmate, you ride the snot outta that thing, don't you?!?  

I have a 30 mph road right outside the neighborhood. There are usually cops patrolling because...well, it's 30 mph! My bike has no problem cruising in 3rd gear at that speed. I couldn't tell you when I shift into 4th but 5th at around 40-45 is very comfortable. For power (at that speed) I'd downshift to 4th though.