| Author | Message | ||
     Karstenfarley |
Ok, we all know that the factory will give us one answer and each of us probably have our own take on this. I wanted to see what you guys recommend as far as when the right time to shift is (rpm based or mph based). So, quick survey. I personally have two shifting "styles". The first is more gas conscious where I consitently shift around 3K... cruise in 5th maybe 3200-3500rpm. The second style is more aggressive and the shift point is moved back to 5K and maybe I don't use 5th gear. I've played around with both styles trying to see which the bike liked more and which one I could make the smoothest. I've been riding a 12S for about 4 months now... still somewhat of a newbie... so I wanted to get ya'lls opinion. | ||
| Stealthxb |
I do not really even look at the speedo or tach too often. I mostly shift based on the sound of the engine. Of course I ride the 5hit outta my bike and know when I hit the rev limiter I probably should have shifted a little sooner. | ||
| M1combat |
When I'm not having "too much" fun I shift as low as I feel is good. That's typically about 2700. Maybe 3300 first to second. When I am having too much fun, I don't even pay attention to that. I just shift when it seems like I ought to. The times that I have looked... I guess I tend to shift at about 5200-5600. Just about the only time it gets any higher than that is in fifth. | ||
| Paulson |
I shift mostly by 'feel'. But it turns out to be around 4K. | ||
| Nevar |
I'm an older rider so I mostly just putt-putt around on my 03 XB9S. I don't watch the tach much, usually shifting by engine feel, but when I do glance at the tach I usually shift around 3500-3600 RPM which starts off the next gear around 3000 RPM. I usually cruise between 3000-3500 RPM, seldom letting it drop below 3000 RPM, depending on traffic, hills, etc. Tim | ||
| Eurotwins |
I shift when it sounds right 4000-4500, unless I'm in the canyons with freinds then the limiter tells me when to shift...John | ||
| M1combat |
If you're actually bouncing it off the limiter you're losing a lot of speed... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Are XB12s geared differenly from a tuber 1200? | ||
| Cmm213 |
When I test rode a 9s I felt the best shifting was around 6000 I guess I'm a rider that likes to be in the power all the time. | ||
| Nadz |
12R, cruisin: 25-3500, playin: 35-5500 I kinda like the hollow thump when the valve is open down low, and rarely pin it (ditto M1). | ||
| Roly |
 city x user, around town shifts around 3000, short open roads around 4000+, to get a move on 5000+ . normally go by ear,bit to scary to keep looking at tacho.4500 rpm ideal cruise speed. happy riding | ||
| Trojan |
I tend to shift up when I hear the valves bouncing   | ||
| U4euh |
I'll be dern, my bike does have a tachometer! LOL The 9's rev a bit higher so I find my aggresive taunts are around 5900-6200, depending on how fast I can get to the shifter. On a "cruising" ride I'll shift between 3200-4000 depending on traffic conditions. | ||
| Kootenay |
I rarely shift below about 3,300...and rarely let the engine get much above 6,000 (although I've encountered Mr. Rev Limiter a few times). Right around 4,000 to 4,500 is my usual shift point, depending of course on what I'm doing. | ||
| Fullpower |
i tend to run into the rev limiter very often around town. on a highway trip i ride a little bit gentler, but still like to shift down to pass slower traffic. say a line of motorhomes clogging up the road may require a quick blast up through 3rd, shift into 4th at 95 mph, just under the limiter, let it out of 4th around 120. mine doesnt really start pulling strong until 4000 rpm, so it needs to have its tail twisted if i am in a hurry. |
