What RPM do you guys generally run at when cruising at constant speed? so, running on local roads at 40-50 mph, what gear / rpm do you run at? I'm trying to get a feel for the right balance of engine braking, temperature, lugging, et cetera.
So, i've been hovering between 3500-5000rpm with temperatures near or under 190F, shifting as appropriate.
Is that too low for this bike? too hot? just right?
Generally 4500+ RPM, anything less tends to lug it. Temperature range should be from 170-220 normally, up to 250 in extreme cases (high heat, really flogging the engine, etc).
I had noticed that lately, when riding agressively and in Vtec 50% or more that my temp tends to run up to 102 C and in some cases higher. I'm not sure this is normal, especially on cooler days / evenings. It takes laying off the throttle and even some slight down hill relaxing before the temp will really start to fall. Normal cruising for me is between 5500 - 6500, just under Vtec.
didit, Jun 18 2007, 10:35 AMNormal cruising for me is between 5500 - 6500, just under Vtec.
Same for me, 5500-6500, just under Vtec when cruising along a back road. I quit worrying about the temperature once I was comfortable with the fan turning on around 220F, when in traffic. Don't worry about riding to manage your temp and I would only worry if you see temps north of 230F.
didit, Jun 18 2007, 10:35 AMI had noticed that lately, when riding agressively and in Vtec 50% or more that my temp tends to run up to 102 C and in some cases higher. I'm not sure this is normal, especially on cooler days / evenings. It takes laying off the throttle and even some slight down hill relaxing before the temp will really start to fall. Normal cruising for me is between 5500 - 6500, just under Vtec.
102 is normal, the fan shouldn't even come on until 104.
A 1 way pass at Deal's Gap will have my coolant up to 240f/115c, and going both ways even with taking it easy on the straights and upshifting to help it cool off it gets to 248f/120c
didit, Jun 18 2007, 10:35 AMNormal cruising for me is between 5500 - 6500, just under Vtec.
Same for me, 5500-6500, just under Vtec when cruising along a back road. I quit worrying about the temperature once I was comfortable with the fan turning on around 220F, when in traffic. Don't worry about riding to manage your temp and I would only worry if you see temps north of 230F.
I guess the more appropriate question is, what gear do you do most of your "cruising in". And in my case, that's the 4th. That translates to about 6000RMP, at about 60mph. (speedo is ~10% off, so shows ~65mph).
The temperature is between 175F to 190F depending on how hot it is outside. (this is cruising temperature, it goes up anytime you stop, should not be higher than ~230F ever). - unless at Deal's Gap -
By the way, the 5th gen and the 6th gen VFRs have different gearing. So the RPM numbers may not directly apply to the poster's question.
muddyh2o, Jun 18 2007, 09:21 AMWhat RPM do you guys generally run at when cruising at constant speed? so, running on local roads at 40-50 mph, what gear / rpm do you run at? I'm trying to get a feel for the right balance of engine braking, temperature, lugging, et cetera.
So, i've been hovering between 3500-5000rpm with temperatures near or under 190F, shifting as appropriate.
Is that too low for this bike? too hot? just right?
I try to stay at or above 4000 in 5th and 6th gears although it will pull from 3500... feels like it does lug though.
I usually stay around 5000 rpm give or take. My temps generaly run 190-210 in the summer when its 90+ degrees outside unless I stop at a redlight then it quickly jumps to around 220-225. In the winter I usually stay around 170-200.
('01 model) 4500 - 5500 for me. If I'm stuck in traffic moving slow I'll hit it down to 3500 to help cool her off. If I need to gun it, I'll downshift.
didit, Jun 18 2007, 09:35 AMI had noticed that lately, when riding agressively and in Vtec 50% or more that my temp tends to run up to 102 C and in some cases higher. I'm not sure this is normal, especially on cooler days / evenings. It takes laying off the throttle and even some slight down hill relaxing before the temp will really start to fall. Normal cruising for me is between 5500 - 6500, just under Vtec.
Mines the opposite I put it around temp climbs right on up. I can pull into my neighborhood at 180 and I'll be well over the 200's by the driveway.
didit, Jun 18 2007, 09:35 AMI had noticed that lately, when riding agressively and in Vtec 50% or more that my temp tends to run up to 102 C and in some cases higher. I'm not sure this is normal, especially on cooler days / evenings. It takes laying off the throttle and even some slight down hill relaxing before the temp will really start to fall. Normal cruising for me is between 5500 - 6500, just under Vtec.
Mines the opposite I put it around temp climbs right on up. I can pull into my neighborhood at 180 and I'll be well over the 200's by the driveway.
Same here. 60mph seems to be the "start cool down" stage. Anything slower than that and higher than 35mph it'll stay at what it is. Its starting to get hot here. pissed.gif
didit, Jun 18 2007, 10:35 AMNormal cruising for me is between 5500 - 6500, just under Vtec.
Same for me, 5500-6500, just under Vtec when cruising along a back road. I quit worrying about the temperature once I was comfortable with the fan turning on around 220F, when in traffic. Don't worry about riding to manage your temp and I would only worry if you see temps north of 230F.
I guess the more appropriate question is, what gear do you do most of your "cruising in". And in my case, that's the 4th. That translates to about 6000RMP, at about 60mph. (speedo is ~10% off, so shows ~65mph).
The temperature is between 175F to 190F depending on how hot it is outside. (this is cruising temperature, it goes up anytime you stop, should not be higher than ~230F ever). - unless at Deal's Gap -
By the way, the 5th gen and the 6th gen VFRs have different gearing. So the RPM numbers may not directly apply to the poster's question.
IRRC, the manual says up to 250 degrees is okay. After that, the guage starts flashing at you and you should turn it off and let it cool down. (The guage automatically shifts to engine temp at 250, even if you were displaying ambient temp.) My bike runs about the same as those described above, but on a hot day, uphill, riding hard it will sometimes exceed 240. Once I decided to see if I could get it to hit 250, so I ran it near redline, hot and uphill, and got it to 249. It never did hit bingo, though.
I figure it ain't broke.
End of thread · 14 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 26 Jun 2007