New VFR owner with question about RPM's

Hello All! I took my recently purchased 2001 VFR 800 Interceptor out on the road today for the first time. I had a blast! I am having trouble figuring out what RPM to run for a given speed though (At what RPM should I shift under normal conditions?). This is my first street bike so I don't have much experience in this area. It seems that 4000-5000 RPM feels about right, but in my mind (used to driving a car) it seems a little high. I know you're not supposed to let it "bog down", but this bike has so much more power than anything I've ridden before I'm not sure that I'd know if it was bogging down. Any advice and/or comments are welcome. Thanks, David.

 

I never use 6th gear unless I'm cruising on the hiway. I try to keep the bike at 5K just so I have power available at all times. So 4K sounds about right.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

Relax riding = 4500 to 5000 RPMs, Sport or passing = 6000 to 8000 RPMS. It will be a blast once you hit around 8000 RPMs

 

Thanks for the quick replies! I forgot to mention that I've just been cruising around town for now (30-50 mph for the most part). I'm not quite ready for highway speeds + traffic. I just finished my Motorcycle Safety Course last wekend, got my Motorcycle license Monday and took my first official ride today. Earlier in the ride I was keeping the RPM's between 3-4k which just didn't "feel" right. Thanks Again. -David.

 

Good rule to go by with most vehicles is run in the middle 60% range of the tachometer. Don't cruise either below the 20% range or above the 80% range.

 

I didn't know this was your first bike.

No offense, but I'd park the VFR for a few months and get you a <500cc beater bike to learn on. More than likely you'll do a 'tipover' at a stop and damage the heck out of those plastics. 100hp for your first ride is way too much IMO.

An older Suzuki GS500e/f would be a perfect trainer for the VFR and it still has good power to learn with at about 50hp. If you drop it, a bent handlebar and busted turn signal is all you'll be dealing with instead of several hundred bucks for a fairing.

 

Thanks everyone for all of the advice. I have put 45 miles on the bike since starting this thread and I am starting to feel much more comfortable with the RPM issue. I rode dirt bikes when I was younger and always shifted by ear/feel rather than watching the tachometer. I started doing this with the VFR and things got much easier. I do find that the bike seems much happier when the RPM's stay in the 4500-5000 range while cruising.
Thanks Again. -David.

 

I don't think 3-4k is too low. However, if you have a passenger and/or loaded saddlebags, etc., higher rpm would be better.

The sweet beauty of the V4 compared to the inline fours is that the torque curve is more "real world" for the street.

I had a '90 RC30 and found out that the higher gears, riding position and heat
were no comparison to my '98 VFR for street riding.

Enjoy your new toy.