6th gear

This is a somewhat random question but it pops up every time I ride. When do you use 6th gear? I go into 6th once I'm on a 60 mph highway but 5th would be completely comfortable. My 6th gen is at 3-4000 rpm's in 6th at 60. Is this too low and bad for the engine?

I cruise in 6th on the highway at around 75mph, Unless I'm going to pass or bolt from a dangerous position then I'll downshift.

[image: View Post]danmurphymn, on 12 April 2010 - 10:19 PM, said:

This is a somewhat random question but it pops up every time I ride. When do you use 6th gear? I go into 6th once I'm on a 60 mph highway but 5th would be completely comfortable. My 6th gen is at 3-4000 rpm's in 6th at 60. Is this too low and bad for the engine?



Yeh should be about 75/80 minimum in 6th

I'm probably a bit different in most, but I putt around in 6th mostly everywhere. 75% of my riding is commuting, and not on fun roads. So I'm usually just taking it easy. I'll cruise around in 6th when I get above 45mph. Not going to be blasting past people if I need to pass, but like I said, I take it easy when I'm commuting.

My rule is to keep it above 3/3.5k when I'm cruising.

When I'm turning 12,000 rpm in 5th gear - time for 6th. :fing02:

It varies for me, am I cruising or do I know I will be speeding up in a little bit, do I want to be loud or quiet, do I want decent gas milage or just wanting to burn through the tank. I normally try to keep the rpm's around 5 to 6k so if I need to go I can go without downshifting. I went +2 on the rear and still find myself some times cruising the hwy in 4th just cause of the sound it makes :)

I do not think 3 to 4k is bad for the engine if you are maintaining that speed, but if you are on and off the throttle a lot it might be a tad low. Just my 2 cents.

[image: View Post]spud786, on 12 April 2010 - 10:27 PM, said:

[image: View Post]danmurphymn, on 12 April 2010 - 10:19 PM, said:

This is a somewhat random question but it pops up every time I ride. When do you use 6th gear? I go into 6th once I'm on a 60 mph highway but 5th would be completely comfortable. My 6th gen is at 3-4000 rpm's in 6th at 60. Is this too low and bad for the engine?



Yeh should be about 75/80 minimum in 6th


The 6th gen owners manual suggests to shift to 6th gear at 37mph under normal riding conditions. If the road is flat and I am cruising steady state 45mph is about the point where the low end of 6th gear usability is for me. Generally I ride in as high a gear as possible if I don't need the power provided in the higher rev range so I get as good as mpg as possible. I think anything above 3.5k rpm is ok as long as you are not lugging the engine. The VFR is one of the few motorcycles I've ridden that seems to geared correctly - that is with a sufficiently tall 6th gear.

She's not happy in 6th at anything below 65mph. The perfect cruise speed is somewhere between 75-80mph. Seems to just purr along and is very happy once in that range. :) Any gear that has you under 4k is kind of lugging it I think.

Usualy, right after 5th. :laughing6-hehe:

In general, lugging isn't good for an engine. But the factory shift points are ridiculously low. I just try to keep it above 4500 RPM, but I'll cruise in 6th at 60 quite often.

[image: View Post]Thy, on 12 April 2010 - 11:14 PM, said:

She's not happy in 6th at anything below 65mph. The perfect cruise speed is somewhere between 75-80mph. Seems to just purr along and is very happy once in that range. :) Any gear that has you under 4k is kind of lugging it I think.

+1

I use the 6th gear for highway use. 60mph and on up.

I can't be the only one that doesn't pay attention to what gear I'm in... I just keep the bike around 5k for cruising - and row the box for "cruise missile-ing"...

I stay in 6th gear more often than not. Personally I like to keep my engine down around 4K as much as possible. People always talk about using the "meat" of the powerband, but accelerating from 3500 or 4K will get you to the speed limit quick enough unless you're trying to shave that .001 of a second off your lap time. :rolleyes:

rufrydrsc2, on 13 April 2010 - 05:15 AM, said: I stay in 6th gear more often than not. Personally I like to keep my engine down around 4K as much as possible. People always talk about using the "meat" of the powerband, but accelerating from 3500 or 4K will get you to the speed limit quick enough unless you're trying to shave that .001 of a second off your lap time. It depends on the road, and personal taste. Here's a rip near my house at a decent pace, run mainly in 6th and below VTEC most most of the time:

[image: View Post]adam79, on 13 April 2010 - 02:56 AM, said:

I use the 6th gear for highway use. 60mph and on up.


:+1: I commute to work and that's where/when I use 6th.

It seems to lug a bit in 6th at anything less than 75/80 mph and since this is normal highway pace around here it is not a problem. I just roll off the throttle when I "sense" a LEO around. If I am forced to do 60 mph I will very likely be in 5th or at times even 4th because I like having immediate throttle response in the event that I need it. As for the bike being happier in the 5k+ rev range I agree....As an exemple I will use my bicycle experience...on a bicycle I am the motor and if I get caught in a gear that is too high at the base of a hill or when I need a burst of quick acceleration it can put quite a strain on my legs....it is manageable and doable but not optimal...now if I am able to make the shift I need prior to these events I am able to keep the speed up easily without the added stress. To each his/her own though...I don't think anyway is wrong I just like being able to crack the throttle and go....NOW! I'll admit I like the sounds the bike makes in the power band too. Cheers :beer:

It is great in Texas when you are on the open roads. I like using the VTEC engagement as the reminder to slow down.

I'm in 6th gear when cruising on wide open roads at 60 mph (indicated) or greater, and especially on freeways unless I need to pass very quickly.

60 mph (again, indicated) on my '04 w/stock gearing on flat ground/zero wind = 3.9k to 4k rpm.

I usually shift up at 6k for around town commuting but will leave it in gear as long as I stay above 3k rpms.

I use 6th gear alot for cruising, mostly highway speeds on back roads - 2 laners, but I also kick it down a gear if I need to make a pass or if I am going into some twisties and want to get the reves up for powering out of corners.

I think I've been in 6th maybe twice since I bought the bike a year ago. I haven't had the occasion to do a long ride, and even then, it wouldn't be on slab. My commute there is too much traffic.

I use 6th gear too often... 96 to 150 mile commute to work and home 80 to 90% slab. I long for retirement!!!

:goofy: Well, I run a -1/+2 sprocket combo. So, 6th gear is used on anything over 55mph actual, not indicated, my speedo's about 20% off from the change, I know 43=35 actual and 80=63 actual, I'd get a speed healer, but it's fun to read 155mph without really trying.

[image: View Post]rufrydrsc2, on 13 April 2010 - 05:15 AM, said:

I stay in 6th gear more often than not. Personally I like to keep my engine down around 4K as much as possible. People always talk about using the "meat" of the powerband, but accelerating from 3500 or 4K will get you to the speed limit quick enough unless you're trying to shave that .001 of a second off your lap time. :rolleyes:


Does your bike not lug at 3500 RPM?

I only use it when the bike is being tempermental and won't go into 7th gear:-)

SEBSPEED, on 13 April 2010 - 05:30 AM, said: It depends on the road, and personal taste. Here's a rip near my house at a decent pace, run mainly in 6th and below VTEC most most of the time: Seb, is your gearing not stock? I watched the first half of that video and couldn't ever tell you shifted into 6th judging by speed/rpm. Looked like 5th based on stock gearing... 80 mph for me is roughly 5600 rpm in 6th. vanion2, on 13 April 2010 - 09:28 AM, said: I usually shift up at 6k for around town commuting but will leave it in gear as long as I stay above 3k rpms. Except when I sometimes shift up at 11k.

[image: View Post]Terminex, on 13 April 2010 - 02:24 PM, said:

I only use it when the bike is being tempermental and won't go into 7th gear:-)


As funny as that sounds, I would love a 7th gear. A real overdrive, something that is way out there above 6th. Something that at 70mph that drops the revs back to the 4000 range. A total slab fuel saver gear, good for those long straight runs on the freeways, and nothing else.

As a recent VFR owner, I have been reading a lot of the older threads.
Since this one has been dormant for almost a year, I thought I would bring it back to the top.

It was interesting to me that I'm not the only one that ends up in 4th or 5th when the bike could certainly handle 6th.
60+ and 6th seems to be OK if just cruising. 60 being 4k on my 2004.
The problem I have is that the bike seems to be more comfortable in the 5k to 6k range. Since that puts me at 75 to 90 mph in 55mph speed zones, it probably isn't a good idea.
By dropping down a gear or two, I keep closer to at least the "warning" speeds in most areas. Warning speeds being 5 to 10mph over where many LEO will ignore you unless it was in a school zone or heavily traveled area.
It also keeps me closer to the 7k VTEC transitiion, but that really has nothing to do with anything. :pinocchio:

[image: View Post]ADAM79, on 13 April 2010 - 02:56 AM, said:

I use the 6th gear for highway use. 60mph and on up.


+1 Thats me too.

SEBSPEED, on 13 April 2010 - 05:30 AM, said: rufrydrsc2, on 13 April 2010 - 05:15 AM, said: I stay in 6th gear more often than not. Personally I like to keep my engine down around 4K as much as possible. People always talk about using the "meat" of the powerband, but accelerating from 3500 or 4K will get you to the speed limit quick enough unless you're trying to shave that .001 of a second off your lap time. It depends on the road, and personal taste. Here's a rip near my house at a decent pace, run mainly in 6th and below VTEC most most of the time: Friggin awesome RIDE  MR. Seb  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anything over 45mph and running a constant speed you should be in top gear.  Otherwise you are beating up your valve seats for no good purpose!  The cams hammer on the valves/seats no matter what throttle you are using.  Just cruising along at a constant speed might feel like you aren't doing anything to hurt your engine, but your valve train might disagree!

[image: View Post]CharlesW, on 20 March 2011 - 09:33 AM, said:

As a recent VFR owner, I have been reading a lot of the older threads.
Since this one has been dormant for almost a year, I thought I would bring it back to the top.

It was interesting to me that I'm not the only one that ends up in 4th or 5th when the bike could certainly handle 6th.
60+ and 6th seems to be OK if just cruising. 60 being 4k on my 2004.
The problem I have is that the bike seems to be more comfortable in the 5k to 6k range. Since that puts me at 75 to 90 mph in 55mph speed zones, it probably isn't a good idea.
By dropping down a gear or two, I keep closer to at least the "warning" speeds in most areas. Warning speeds being 5 to 10mph over where many LEO will ignore you unless it was in a school zone or heavily traveled area.
It also keeps me closer to the 7k VTEC transitiion, but that really has nothing to do with anything. :pinocchio:
Good answer for me. I like to stay around 5 & 6000 .......

[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on 20 March 2011 - 10:38 AM, said:

Anything over 45mph and running a constant speed you should be in top gear.  Otherwise you are beating up your valve seats for no good purpose!  The cams hammer on the valves/seats no matter what throttle you are using.  Just cruising along at a constant speed might feel like you aren't doing anything to hurt your engine, but your valve train might disagree!
Interesting...Thx

[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on 20 March 2011 - 10:38 AM, said:

Anything over 45mph and running a constant speed you should be in top gear.  Otherwise you are beating up your valve seats for no good purpose!  The cams hammer on the valves/seats no matter what throttle you are using.  Just cruising along at a constant speed might feel like you aren't doing anything to hurt your engine, but your valve train might disagree!
Not trying to argue, just trying to learn/understand.
45mph has my 2004 turning about 3k.
At that speed in that gear, it almost feels like I am lugging the engine. I try to not lug any high rpm engine since I thought that could be more harmful than turning some Rs.
If I drop below 3500, I downshift even if cruising. Have I been wrong all these years or is this a V4 thing?

Since most of my riding is done on crooked two lane backroards, I do very little steady speed cruising other than going through small towns.
Interestingly enough, many of the smalll towns in Iowa will have a 25mph speed zone for a mile or two while the town is about a block or two.
At first I thought they might be doing it to raise money, but I can see where it is important to protect the corn and bean fields.

Slab Duty...

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 13 April 2010 - 05:03 AM, said:

I can't be the only one that doesn't pay attention to what gear I'm in... I just keep the bike around 5k for cruising - and row the box for "cruise missile-ing"...

A big +1!

5k seems to be the perfect spot on mine for smooth cruising - doesn't matter what gear/speed number to me - just keep it around 5k unless I'm being aggressive...

[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on 20 March 2011 - 10:38 AM, said:

Anything over 45mph and running a constant speed you should be in top gear.  Otherwise you are beating up your valve seats for no good purpose!  The cams hammer on the valves/seats no matter what throttle you are using.  Just cruising along at a constant speed might feel like you aren't doing anything to hurt your engine, but your valve train might disagree!
As I have stated, my working rpm is 5 to 7000. After reading this I thought I'd try in the direction you're suggesting, but no lower than 4000 as I'm also not liking working in what feels like lugging.
Having played with this for the last couple of weeks(I'm still not at the point that this will be a permanent, but believe in the "CAN teach old dogs new tricks").
The differences I have noticed going with a lower running rpm range are: Having less drag slowing down has made me plan/change my speed earlier on for turn entry, Less trail braking ; Having to think further ahead, down the road. ; Way better mpg ; The suspension feels more fluid(which could lead to better rear tyre wear) : Less twitchy throttle.

The negitives, or what I feel is a down side are: Way less acceleration response ; The feel of that roughness coming from the engine ; Finding myself going faster on straight sections of the road(curves too, but that's a good thing).

I can't think of anything else at this time, so if there's any questions It might bring some more thoughts to the front.

Not that this is in gear with the topic, but part of the experience. I found that with a more concentrated effort on keeping my head level with the horizon made it feel more comphy in the turn (same as not feeling as fast by looking further down the road).. Feel less tilted and disoriented.

A lot of these things I do, but am just 'splan'n that these are more magnified.

Monk,  

I take the stance that you should be in the gear thats working for the situation, I use 6th gear all the time, As a fuel savings gear in cruise mode , or in High speed application.

Its not really a sub 60 mph gear , but I really havent paid attention to the minimum speed, the gear is usable,  

[image: View Post]spud786, on 14 April 2011 - 09:24 PM, said:

Monk,  

I take the stance that you should be in the gear thats working for the situation, I use 6th gear all the time, As a fuel savings gear in cruise mode , or in High speed application.

Its not really a sub 60 mph gear , but I really havent paid attention to the minimum speed, the gear is usable,
Believe me I know, I drove Semi's where I have to be in the right gear for the situation, I just felt like trying the lower rpm range to see if it's doable for my riding style.

Like Sebspeed I use 5th around town and try to stay around 6000 rpm even on the highway. On the X-way I cruise in 6th. I so watch the tac more than I do the speedometer or the gear. When it feels like it's straining I move up. in the twisties I am between 4 and 5 giving myself room to move up and down and create or reduce power if I have to. Thanks for the post. I have always thought about asking the question but never did.

[image: View Post]spud786, on 14 April 2011 - 09:24 PM, said:

Monk,  

I take the stance that you should be in the gear thats working for the situation, I use 6th gear all the time, As a fuel savings gear in cruise mode , or in High speed application.

Its not really a sub 60 mph gear , but I really havent paid attention to the minimum speed, the gear is usable,

+1 I have an 2001, keep the rpm down and get 50+ mpg. Gas is expensive and I am cheap. However I never see 6th when I'm having fun.

Relaxed cruising on open roads, I get into 6th pretty quickly while trying to make sure I keep it over 4k. I have to confess though to having been cruising on occasion at 70-75 for more than a few miles only to look down and realize I'm in 5th. :blush:

Around town, I keep it percolating  a bit higher (usually between 4500 and 5000) just to have a bit more oooomph if needed.

I figure keep it between 4,000 rpms or so and redline, and I'm good.
Sixth is for cruising the highway on the way to somewhere else.   :biggrin:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 13 April 2010 - 05:03 AM, said:

I can't be the only one that doesn't pay attention to what gear I'm in... I just keep the bike around 5k for cruising - and row the box for "cruise missile-ing"...
                           +1 on that!

Me, too!
There have been a few days on Interstates or highways when I could have used a 7th gear.
Not that I'd be exceeding the speed limit to make up time ;)

[image: View Post]dweese, on 13 April 2010 - 09:19 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Terminex, on 13 April 2010 - 02:24 PM, said:

I only use it when the bike is being tempermental and won't go into 7th gear:-)

As funny as that sounds, I would love a 7th gear. A real overdrive, something that is way out there above 6th. Something that at 70mph that drops the revs back to the 4000 range. A total slab fuel saver gear, good for those long straight runs on the freeways, and nothing else.

[image: View Post]YoshiHNS, on 12 April 2010 - 10:30 PM, said:

I'm probably a bit different in most, but I putt around in 6th mostly everywhere. 75% of my riding is commuting, and not on fun roads. So I'm usually just taking it easy. I'll cruise around in 6th when I get above 45mph. Not going to be blasting past people if I need to pass, but like I said, I take it easy when I'm commuting.

My rule is to keep it above 3/3.5k when I'm cruising.
Pretty much where I'm at, as well. I'm glad I have the 5th Gen, VTec would be wasted on me! :laughing6-hehe:

[image: View Post]KPerham, on 16 April 2011 - 02:47 PM, said:

[image: View Post]YoshiHNS, on 12 April 2010 - 10:30 PM, said:

I'm probably a bit different in most, but I putt around in 6th mostly everywhere. 75% of my riding is commuting, and not on fun roads. So I'm usually just taking it easy. I'll cruise around in 6th when I get above 45mph. Not going to be blasting past people if I need to pass, but like I said, I take it easy when I'm commuting.

My rule is to keep it above 3/3.5k when I'm cruising.
Pretty much where I'm at, as well. I'm glad I have the 5th Gen, VTec would be wasted on me! :laughing6-hehe:
I don't know if the V-Tech would be wasted, but I would be willing to bet you wouldn't be getting 49 mpg.   :biggrin: