Recently I've been realizing that I'm probably been shifting too often or too soon on my bike, a 03 F4i. I mostly use my bike for commuting through san francisco to to my office. So that means lots of lights and stops. I'm starting to realize that I'm shifting up a gear when I probably shouldn't be. These high reving engines mess me up when I shift by ear because I'm use to my car (350z) that redlines at 7500 rpm.

So for average ridding what RPM range should you be in? At what point should you be up-shifting, and at what low RPM should you be downshifting before you start to lug the engine?


Eric

 

Shifting is personal preference. For general riding there is no "right" RPM per se. Now if you were racing (on a closed track of course) then you'd want to wind it out very close to redline before shifting (a shift light is just a little piece of heaven on the track).

But for commuting, unless you're passing some lame *** slow pokey cage, just shift when ya like. Heck, you're prolly getting 45mpg like you are doing now, eh, so why change?

 

Sure I know there's just not a magic set of number that you absolutely have to shift exactly at. But I imagine there's a lot more technical answer then "it's just personal preference".

 

Ha, you want technical? Read the manual for an F4i ... their shift recommendations are probably waaaaay under what you normally shift at On the 1kRR the shift recommendation is every 10mph so in 6th gear you're doing a whopping 50mph ... very exciting I must say

 

I would say what ever rpm keeps you in the power.

On that bike, I would suggest running it up to around 8 grand or so for slow driving, and downshifting once it gets below 5000 or so.

For more aggressive riding. I would keep it above 7000 all the time.

Of course, these are just guesses as I ride 1000 and my shift points are way different than that of a 600. But from memory, thats what I think I shifted my old F3 at.

but as chain said, it really is all personal preference.

 

I shift pretty low, 3k or so, when riding easy or behind a cage and will rock 6th gear @ 35 MPH for milage. Pretty much have to stay above 7k for fun...

 

On my F4i I usually cruise through town around 4-5k rpms, so i shift around 6k. its just below the powerband so like above was mentioned, if i need to get out quick i can. now if im running it hard i shift high. or obviously on the freeway the rpms are up there. I would say 3k is a bit low to be shifting to the next gear, even for cruising its a bit low.