What to cruise at?
 

Okay this is probably the dumbest question on here. I used to race dirtbikes but I'm new to streetbikes. Okay so I have a 2002 F4I 600 and I mean it can go along in 6th gear at 30 miles an hour but is that bad at all. What's a good rpm for any speed to be good for the bike but also keep the miles per gallon high?

Not a dumb question.

I generally keep the rpm@/or above 4k, in town (at 35-45mph speed limits). Any lower and it will hesitate if you try to suddenly accelerate when spotting trouble. Much over 6k and your milage starts to take a hit. Not nearly as fun as wrapping up to 9-10k+ for your shifts but gives a good compromise of brisk take-off and good mpg.

Ern

Yeah that's exactly what I was looking for. Haha. I'm just not used to having something to tell me what rpm I'm at. But yeah I did notice the hesitation. But good info thanks man

I personally cruise at the lowest RPM I can get which is about 6th gear. I am too afraid to break my F4I thats why I shift at around 3k to 3.5k and I am in 6th gear at about 30 MPH haha! I get pretty good gas mileage tho!

Devill i hope ur jokin... Or u need a scooter!!!

You are prolly endangering yourself. If an emergency requires a sudden burst of acceleration to clear you out of harm's way, you simply won't have it.

7k RPMs and the F4i has just finished clearing it's throat. 10k-12k and the engine is smiling. It can handle being redlined. Serious advice:

Get over your fear before you get yourself hurt. 30 mph in 6th gear just isn't safe.

Sometimes I cruise on the highway at 70mph in 4th gear for a few miles. Is it ok to cruise in the upper rpms or do I always have to be in 6th gear when traveling 60mph+? Will it hurt the engine if I was cruising for awhile in the higher rpms?

Define "higher RPMs". I usually cruise at about 7k-8k, regardless of gear (except 1st) because I like the response options available.

When I first got the bike I would shift at 4k all the time and always be in 6th gear on the highway. Now that I've got some miles under my belt, I usually shift around 7k when I'm cruising around and I'll be on the highway cruising at 7k-9k in 4th gear. Does that hurt the bike?

6th gear is for highway speeds, I cruise in 4th In town around 30+ mph. Don't ride in 4th on the highway, short term prolly not gonna hurt it but long term it will affect your engine. Just watch your tons and listen if its winding up shift. And don't be one of those morons who ride around in 1st, they look and sound like fools.