Shifting Recommendations

Hello. I am new to motorcycling and am trying to figure out the best place to shift my 1981 Maxim 650. My car is a standard, and I am used to shifting based on engine sound. I am not an aggressive driver, so I tend to shift around 3k RPM in my Corolla. I find that I am shifting at almost the exact same spot on the bike. Considering the redline is much higher than my Corolla, this seems odd and I am probably not being as efficient with my shifting as I could be. I don't have an owner's manual, so I am hoping someone on this forum might know the manufacturer's suggested shift point, either in MPH or RPM. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

i guess it depends, if your just cruising around, i usually shift about 4-5K on my maxim 700, thats about 1K before my powerband, but if im trying to haul ash i usually shift around 8 grand, im not sure what the rev limit on your bike is, mines about 10K, so ya. But i kow my engine is an inline 4, idk if yours is a twin or not because i think twins have a lower range of RPM's, i think, but im only 17 so what do i know.

 

but really all you have t do is listen, and as long as when you shift you dont stall it you're pretty much doing it right.

 

Shifting at 3K is a little low. If I'm just cruising around, I'll still shift at 5K, but if I'm doing some spirited driving, I'll shift at 8K.

When I really want to see what the bike has, I'll take it to 10K. That seems to happen quite often

 

heres a good vid of what the powerband is like on the 85 700, it gets good about 45 seconds in, so jsut skip that part, but it sounds sweet and gives me the chills

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtl0F8-i ... re=related

WATCH IT!

 

shoot i thought it showed the rpm gauge, but it sounds liek he was shifting at around 8K

 

shift anywhere between 4k-9k
just dont lug the engine and you have nothing to worry about
one day I am 4k others are high revving
adjust to traffic, road conditions, your personal mood, ect.
I dont even look @ the tach anyway
these bikes make alot of power above 5K

 

im usually up in 5th gear before i hit 40 mph, not sure rpms(i dont pay attention). i would guess around 4k.

 

Thanks for the tips. It looks like I need to retune my ear and try shifting a little higher and see how that goes.

 

ya 4500 you cant go wrong on mine, its a decent range to maintain a good acceleration and all the while not being hard on the engine

 

You're really not into the powerband below 3K, that's just where it starts to come on. I make sure I'm above 4K if there's any chance I'll need the throttle to get me out of trouble.

Also, your charging system doesn't work until 2K. I'm a bit concerned that you're running the risk of discharging the battery from under revving it.

Up to 6K your fuel mileage is pretty decent. Above 6K the fun really kicks in, but so does the fuel bill.

 

Yes, you do have to get used to running it like an F1 car not like your Corolla. It took me a bit of getting used to as well, my Norton has an "automotive" rev range also. I agree with Carl, and try to keep about 4K on the clock if going to need to get moving NOW. The bike will "smooth along" nicely at 4K in 3rd or 4th gear...I usually shift at 4K-5K in "around town" riding, 7K-8K for normal "highway" shift points, but then again, an occasional run to 9000 in 3rd can just sorta happen...no sense running all the way into redline, the powerband flattens out above 9200 or so...at least on the 550's. The bottom line: REV IT, and don't worry about the "seat of the pants" impression until you get used to your new "runnin' pants!"

 

It's a feel thing that you will develop on your own.. but as is mentioned above, don't lug your engine too much. The main jets don't kick in until after 3000 rpm or so(Rick/MiCarl/Robert/Altus - correct me if I am wrong). These bikes respond well to almost anything, but they actually appreciate a good blast above 7000 rpm every so often to blow the carbon out if you have been idling around a while.

 

WAIT A MINUTE!!! You shift your COROLLA at 3K? What's its redline? I was thinking about this on my way home from work, running up Gratiot holding 3500 on the clock in 3rd gear IN MY VW WABBIT! The Wabbit redlines at 6300rpm, I usually shift between 4000-4500or even 5K. You might want to think about spinning the Toyota a bit faster too, for the sake of the motor...

 

When I first got the Corolla, I played around with shifting at different spots and I have found that shifting my Corolla at 3k works best for me and my commute. I get excellent gas mileage (37 MPG on my commute), the engine doesn't work too hard and it is a comfortable ride. If I need/want to get out of a situation quicker, I have no problem taking it higher, but I doubt I have had it over 5500 more than a few times. I am not the kind of guy that searches for speed. I don't even know where the red line is without looking.

On the bike however, shifting at 3k doesn't feel or sound as comfortable as shifting up higher, but my ear is tuned to that engine speed, so that is where my instinctual shift was. Hence the post. :wink:

 

when im going slightly downhill and behind slow traffic on my way to work i will shift at 3k all the way up to 5th and will rarely see above 4500rpms.

on my way home, with no traffic and going uphill most of the drive, shifting occurs between 5-6....7,8,9

if you are trying to accellerate at a "lively" to "extreme" rate, 3k just wont cut it.

 

I normally take it to about 4000 and sometimes 5 if I am trying to stay ahead of people that could kill me. this way your only 1k away from hitting your powerband
in my neck of the woods I have to get out of the way A LOT
I dont like to be too far away of the powerband even if it means going 5 to 10 mph over the speed limit
I live by Zookie400's quote "When In Doubt, GAS IT!"
it happens a lot more than i would like it to
but then again dodging college students is like dodging cattle if your going fast enough