Correct RPMs for shifting

So I just got my 1999 VFR 800 today and already put on about 250 miles.

When riding I couldn't help but think when the VFR prefers to shift up (or down).

I used to ride a ninja 250 and that preferred to be shifted around 10,000 to 12,000 RPMs because of how it was designed. Which begs the question, when to shift the VFR as "preferred".

This probably has two answers. One for mpg and one for performance.

Thanks for your knowledge!!!

 

Since I mostly wear headphones with music playing, I'm always looking at the rpm gauge. The stock exhaust is nothing I really want to hear, gotta get some slip-ons for sure. For casual riding shifting between 4-5k rpm seems good. For spirited riding, well, it's over the vtec rpm.

 

My usual shifting is done between 6k and 8k if riding hard I tend to shift at about 10k to 11k just before the redline.

 

Above 4.5k should be fine for normal casual riding, through brisk long distances of mountain twisties I tend to keep between 5.8 > 9.8k which is great to ride the v4s linear torque curve on the balls of my feet with minimal gear changes, think CBS helps me with this kind of riding Style.

 

I have always considered my VFR to be two bikes in one. Shift between 4.5k and 5K and get a nice, tractable power delivery with no surprises and a good torque pull. Take it from 7k to redline and you have a whole different beast all together.