when to change - the redline is a clue! Seriously, I usually change up around 10500 - 11000 rpm so there is loads of instant grunt as the revs don't fall too far off. also, do as a clutchless upshift (ie, without using the clutch lever) so you don't lose any revs at all when pulling the lever in - if you do it right the bike should kick each time you upshift. doing that will give you loads more fun on the bike.

top speed - most i've done is 145 and the revs were about 9000 in 6th so there was more there - i just rapidly ran out of road. By the way, this is in middle England without all those long straights so is on an A road.

 

I switched my shifter over this weekend and I love it! It only took me a couple laps around the block to get adjusted, now it feels natural and more intuitive. Push to go faster, pull to go slower. The best part is that it only took about 10 minutes to make the change and I had no idea what I was doing. Pretty neat design on Honda's part. I did have a little trouble with one of the bolt locks coming out and trying to figure out how to put it back together.

 

Just some advice ... don't worry about what gear that you're in. Focus on being smooth with your acceleration/deceleration.

FYI - I've done 140 (indicated) in 4th gear @ 12K. -1 on the drive sprocket and stock size tires. I'm guessing actual was around 130mph.

I think 155mph is probably top speed for the F3. 175mph isn't feasable and if you are doing 175mph you'll travel about 100 yards in the time it takes you to look at the speedo (1 second). IOW - you got better things to do than look at the speedo.