I was wondering what you fellow Caner's run your bikes at when cruising . say a 100km per hour? I think I might be running too low, but 4-5k is where I keep mine. Is this too low for this engine??

 

thats about right, as I can remember 4+

 

Per my Owners' Manual, Honda recommends shifting from 5th to 6th gear at 37mph (60 kph) and downshifting from 6th to 5th at 28mph (45kph), and at these speeds you're probably doing under 3,000 rpm, so I don't think you've got anything to worry about.

 

Cruising at 100km/h with a 1000F?? yeah that's a bit too low! I'm used to cruise at around 140-150km/h and it hits 5.000rpm at 160km/h in 6th gear.
At 100km/h if I remember correctly, should be around 3.500, wich is indeed, too low for this engine, I always try to keep it closer to it's powerband above 5k (say I want to cruise at 100km/h I'll be in 5th gear, not 6th).

 

Yes, I used this as an aid to realize what gear I'm on, at 100 kmph I should be at 4,000 RPM and in 6th gear. Then I know all I need to do is twist the throttle in order to cruise down.

 

Exactly. If you were to actually do the posted speed limit, 4th gear would be all you would need. In 6th gear on the highway (speed limit of course) the engine lags too much I find.

Paco, you have a manual that tells you when to shift????

 

Yeah, my manual gives recommendedspeeds for each gear,too. I have a 1995 model, though, maybe they didn't do that in the older ones?

I've often wondered about the difference between the manual and popular opinion.

I cruise at higher RPMs, especially with a couple extra teeth on the rear.
Around 4-5k.

Honda wouldn't recommend doing anything to hurt your motor, though, I wouldn't think. As long as you aren't down so far as to cause horrible sputtering/noises, I would think you'd be ok.

 

For those of you who either don't have it in your manual or haven't read it, here is what it says about shifting points:

Shifting up:
1st to 2nd- 12mph (20km/h)
2nd to 3rd- 19mph (30km/h)
3rd to 4th- 25mph (40km/h)
4th to 5th- 31mph (50km/h)
5th to 6th- 37mph (60km/h)

Shifting down:
6th to 5th- 28mph (45km/h)
5th to 4th- 22mph (35km/h)
4th to 3rd- 16mph (25km/h)

 

Well it depends how you ride it.
If I cruise and don't want to push it, i ride with 6th even in town ( speed limit is 50 km/h - and actual speed is somewhere 60-70) rpm s are around 2000 and feels ok
The engine has much torque even with low rpm s so i don't think it's a problem. Of course it's a matter of feeling if the engine gives you hints (like rattling noise or lack of power ) that you should put on lower gear - do it.

I actually can't imagine someone cruising 1000 km per day with 100 km/h and with 4 th gear - those poor ears

 

What the? I only change geat at 5000rpm, never use 6th below 80-90k. 3rd or 4th gear around town. Bike feels to sluggish in top gear at 60.