RPM Question

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by tgreene5, May 19, 2008.

  1. tgreene5

    tgreene5 New Member

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    Hi,

    Am finally going on long rides on the new VFR - what a bike! Love it.:party2:

    However, I have a few questions.

    When cruising along and not under "go fast" mode, what RPM do you drop down a gear? 5,000 seems to be about right for mine, but want to check. Otherwise engine seems to lug.

    How smooth are the trannys? i.e. from 1st to 2nd, how much a clunk should I expect? or should I.

    Last but not least, what is the "normal" temp VFR will run on a hot day? I should say, when should I get concerned?

    Went for a 5 hour ride yesterday thru Gods country, our Pacific Northwest!, and have a sore butt, and a huge grin today!!

    Thanks for info.

    Theresa
     
    tgreene5, May 19, 2008


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  2. havcar

    havcar New Member

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    If you're finding a luggy or "choked" response at low rpms try installing a one tooth smaller sprocket in the front. This will cost about $35 and a 1/2 hr of labor. Mine had a similiar problem and the sprocket evened everything out and even added some much needed torque and acceleration thruogh the mid ranges before 4 valve mode kicks in.
    Good luck!!!!
     
    havcar, May 19, 2008


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  3. tgreene5

    tgreene5 New Member

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    Tks!

    No, it's not that it's luggy - just wanted to see what RPM others generally shift down at.

    What a great bike!

    Tks!

    Theresa:bootyshake2:
    :team2:
     
    tgreene5, May 19, 2008


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  4. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    -For cruising I kick down a gear maybe at 4200 - 4500. I dont like to go lower than that.
    -The trannys are general smooth and get better with miles. Synthetic oil will help that too. If it is still a complaint there is a shift kit that can be install to make shifts crisper.
    -Temps usually cycle in slow traffic 225F to 215 and normal moving down the road under 200F. Some 6th gen will run hotter and may need a bit of debugging. There are some other things that can be done if needed.

    May you have many more sore butt days. :biggrin:

    MD
     
    mello dude, May 19, 2008


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  5. hondawolf

    hondawolf New Member

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    I usually down shift around 4500 or so. Depends if I'm just cruising along, or in traffic and speeds differ. Mine has 33,000 miles, no clunking or wierd shifting issues. I'd say on hot days, in traffic or town, bike runs about 210-225. Once up and cruising for awhile, 190-200. Never seen mine get over 225, 100 degrees outside, sitting at a light. Electric fan kicks on at 220, and will cycle on/off at a light.
     
    hondawolf, May 19, 2008


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  6. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    I think that my 5th gen fan kicks in at 219F I believe. It should not really get much hotter than 225F. This is assuming that your cooling system is working properly....as in, a good thermostat, radiator fan works, good coolant mix ratio, and a properly sealing radiator cap.

    Well, in cooler weather or when I first start it up, my tranny shifts so mooth, but as the engine gets really hot, it starts to get clunkier, and notchier. I noticed that (as usual) the shift from 1st to second is the notchiest. I was missing that shift sometimes when I first got the bike after the engine was hot, but I learned to shift more firmly since then.

    I seem to cruise at around 6k in 6th going to work. If traffic is really heavy, and is really moving around a lot, I drop down a gear to make sure I am in a meatier part of the powerband in case some clown in an Hummer H2 tries to squeeze into my lane.
     
    derstuka, May 19, 2008


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  7. tgreene5

    tgreene5 New Member

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    Thanks - exactly what I was looking for. Yep, at end of ride Sunday, exhausted, and end of off ramp to freeway, went from neutral to 1st, and it clunked and died. Probably I was so tired I let off the clutch too soon. Regardless, I got it started right back up as light turn yellow & stupidly zoomed thru intersection. Had plenty of room, but I shouldn't have pushed it, and got a honk!

    Shifting when cool is very smooth, just the one clunk at the light. Did not get over 215, and was much cooler than that at speed.

    Thanks for the info. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't hosing up this lovely bike!

    Theresa
     
    tgreene5, May 19, 2008


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  8. Yosh70

    Yosh70 New Member

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    Aftermarket seat will fix that right up

    Sargent ftw.
     
    Yosh70, May 19, 2008


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