Low revs = Low power ??

Hi guys,

I've just got my 2001 Fi model a few days ago & can't believe how much of a great cruiser on the motorway it is but around town it seems to struggle at anything below 2.5-3k revs, it will still pull but it seems to vibrate the whole bike & its only at around 3.5-4k revs that it seems to respond as i would like.
I've got limited experience on bikes & can only really compare it to my previous bike (Honda CBF600) which seemed to pull really well from anything.
Is this a trait of the V4 or is mine a bit off ?
Its done 26k miles & has been well maintained.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

STOP! Youre bogging the engine. That terrible on an engine. You need to cruise at 5k or more.

 

These bikes have fantastic midrange but aren't happy below 3000rpm. I had to learn to keep it above that coming from a kawasaki twin, but once you get used to it the bike comes into its own.

 

Thats great guys, i just wanted to know if mine was a bit odd or something...it seems not, thats me happy !

 

I wouldnt recommend below 4500.

 

I try to never let mine run below about 5k, there is just crap for acceleration below 4k

 

I've done the PAIR removal and have the bike as well tuned as I can get it, It well pull cleanly with no "chugging" or lugging from about 2700 RPM. Makes me pretty happy. Granted I only do this in traffic commuting and don't roll on the throttle hard or anything, I know the bike won't pick up and take off from that point, I don't expect it to. Riding to work I try to get the best mpg I can. When I'm out on the weekends I tend to run the tach between 5500 and 10000.

 

Do you mind taking some pics of your valves down the velocity stacks just so we can see what they look like with an engine that is run at such a low rpm.

These engines really weren't meant to run that low. The redline is set so high because it can take it. Just because they're "V" engines doesn't mean this one is a low rpm engine like a Harley vtwin.

 

If I were lugging the engine, the negative affects would be to the bottom end, not the valves. The crank and rod bearings would suffer due to lower oil pressure and higher than normal force exerted on the oils film strength due to the extra load at that speed. Anytime the bike "shudders" like these bikes do when they are lugged, I downshift.

 

Well i've been out today & done over 100 miles, i've treated it much better today only under 4k when pulling away from standstill which means its always in the 'fun zone' aswel ;-)

 

I know that. Im talking about you riding at low rpms to save gas. I just wanted to see what the top of your valves look like and compare them to mine and with my riding style.

 

Yours covered in carbon? Mine are too. Its not a large buildup so I'm not worried about it.

 

I don't see how letting the bike cruise at such low rpms can be a problem. Severe chugging can be an issue but as long as you're being gradual with the throttle, and not pinning it at WOT you should be ok.

As far as Carbon build-up goes....that's nothing that a few Pulls at WOT through a Gear or two can't cure.

 

Well, i think the cams don't line up together well until after 2500 rpm, thats where the chugging comes from. The cam on one side isn't synced with the timing on the other side, kind of like those drag cars that thump goofy at idle. Once they line up it smooths everything out and away you go. Ever have the choke on while its warming up and hear that funny like cylinder missing noise? Thats just the lobey cams. God do I love my VfR...