What RPM?

[Doorag]

So under normal riding conditions, what RPM should I be riding at? I have a feeling thatI'm changing gears too soon and that I should be using more of the rev range. I tend to change gears when the revs are around 4-5K and I don't really normally cruise around over 4k if I'm commuting.

The only exception to this is on the motorway where I cruise anywhere between 7-9K.

If I should use higher revs in city riding I'll never get out of second. Is that just normal?

[reiobard]

depends on how you want to ride, short shifting will definitely help with the fuel consumption so and that is a fine shifting area if you are just cruising around, if you are going for a more aggressive ride and need the acceleration in the turns and for other such things then you would want to have it in the higher revs.

[mikebike]

I think it depends on what you are doing at the time... it is one of the cool things about the FZ6......multiple personalities

calm cool collected under 6K and wild and crazy above 6K

enjoy them both responsibly

Much like the R6, the FZ6 ia a rev machine and it flat loves it. Generally speaking I will use 5,000rpm as a minimum shift point but I don't use the tach to determine that minimum. My bike has always had a faint buzz from the underseat exhaust that comes in around 5,200rpm and exits around 5,800rpm. I use this as a gauge. Typically if I am running around town I never get out of third gear as that gear will run comfortably to 50mph all day long.

Short shifting the FZ6 (the cruiser mode) creates it's own set of issues as to me the bike will be sluggish and it will also have a lack of snap in any need for speed scenario simply because it is going to fall on its face. Another issue for me is the transmission which shifts worse than my Harley. I will however say that when the engine is up in any decent rpm range that same transmission operates dead smooth like a fine Swiss watch.

I guess it all boils down to what you want from the machine.

[madmanmaigret]

all great replies. this is exactly what i do (shift low for commute and improved gas mileage, rev it up for fun time)

[Doorag]

Ok, thanks. Pretty much what I suspected. Basically, I'm not doing it any harm by short shifting and keeping the revs low and I'll probably be improving my gas mileage as well. Sweet. I'll save the high revs for the A roads and those times I need to beat some wanker off the line at a light.

Originally Posted by Doorag

Ok, thanks. Pretty much what I suspected. Basically, I'm not doing it any harm by short shifting and keeping the revs low and I'll probably be improving my gas mileage as well. Sweet. I'll save the high revs for the A roads and those times I need to beat some wanker off the line at a light.

Keep in mind that low rpm doesn't necessarily mean you will get better gas mileage as efficiency does change with rpm. An example of this would be cruising down the road at around 60-65mph where the bike will likely hit above 50mpg however, cruising around town it will never see that kind of mileage and you have never been anywhere near the rpm you were running on the road. Yes, stop and go does factor into this but so does shifting and load characteristics. The key to higher mileage is finding out where your bike runs most efficient under all conditions that you ride. After numerous tanks of fuel and recorded mileage data you will know where you need to be and how you need to ride to achieve your goal.

[Nelly]

Originally Posted by Doorag

Ok, thanks. Pretty much what I suspected. Basically, I'm not doing it any harm by short shifting and keeping the revs low and I'll probably be improving my gas mileage as well. Sweet. I'll save the high revs for the A roads and those times I need to beat some wanker off the line at a light.

Thanks for posting this thread mate.
I have been wondering for a while where I should be for just cruising along. I genrally short shift all the way to 6th. I find that during rush hour I have plenty of time to knock down a few gears if I need to FRO.
I agree with HavBlue, at low speeds the gear box is a bit agricultural.

Neil

[grommit]

Originally Posted by HavBlue

...
I will however say that when the engine is up in any decent rpm range that same transmission operates dead smooth like a fine Swiss watch.
...

Too true. The faster it goes the better it gets.

Just a thought here folks: I have thought for some time that riders on bikes like the FZ6 equate sound to rpm and a need to shift. On many bikes this would be true as it is generally a good idea to shift when the engine is screaming. However, when the bikes like the FZ6 sound like they are screaming they are actually no where near a point where you have to shift or for that matter need to shift. Short shifting isn't bad or good unless it is done in a manner that causes the engine to lug around and that is bad as it is hard on it.