when do you shift gears?

[kmkindred]

 I have a 1993 NH I picked up in December.  I love the bike, but I'm not used to high revving engines, if that's a correct way to put it.  The bike runs at 75 mph on the freeway at 5000 rpms, which I know is typical.  But I'm wondering at about how many rpms most of you shift from one gear to the next one up.  If I do it by sound and what I think sounds like other bikes or manual cars I've owned, I'm betting I shift too early.  Currently, I notice that I'm shifting at about 4000 rpms.  I know it can depend on the situation (passing a vehicle, etc.), but does this sound about right?

Thanks,

Keith

[windrider]

I weigh less than 150 pounds, ride solo, wife rides her own, and shift between 3500 and 4500 depending.  Smoothest shifts seem to between 3800 and 4200, or in other words, by the time you shift and let the clutch out, the engine has lost enough RPM to be matched to the next gear.  For me, it's all about smooth. that's when you cause the least amount of wear.  Will I stand on it, sure 110 mph in 4th is no problem, but only when needed.

[82CB750SC]

I agree with windrider.  Typical riding around I'll shift just under 4000 without even looking, just going by sound.  On those few times that I need to punch it, I know it is still there waiting for me.  I'm all about being smooth too, and it helps with the gas mileage.

[gammer]

I usually shift my 750 around 5000 RPMs. If I want good gas millage I shift at 5000 or even earlier (4000).
But this bike really doesn't 'get up and go' till its above 6000 RPM's. So its not unusual for me to shift around 7000 RPM's when I'm given'er a little.

[LOKi]

anywhere between 4K and 8.5K. Depending on how much power I need. Conservative riding I shift around 4K or 5K. In twisties I try and keep it up above 5K. Sounds like your right in the bell curve. A little more or less won't hurt the bike at all.

Preloading the shifter helps smooth shifting at higher RPM's. So before you pull the clutch for the shift put pressure on the shifter. Then pull the clutch while letting off the gas as you usually do to shift. It will slip into gear like butter. Your able to get back on the gas quicker loosing less speed because of lack of power delivery to the back wheel. It shifts so much better like this I practice this every shift, even at lower RPM's.

BTW. Works for down shifting too.

[ariwhiteboy]

With the CB1000 I'm shifting right at 4K when I'm commuting... but like the above when I really get on it maybe between 7K and 8K 

[gammer]

Your able to get back on the gas quicker loosing less speed because of lack of power delivery to the back wheel.

Ah speed shifting...
Takes my back to my motocross days...where on the holeshot we would keep the throttle pinned, feather the clutch while shifting. I've never felt acceleration like that on any other bike since.

[martian]

The red line is there for a reason 

Seriously, I shift when I feel like shifting.  You guys are making this way too complicated.

As for you guys who insist on preloading the shifter...  just remember that force is going somewhere, even if you don't hear it... yet.

Martian

[gammer]

As for you guys who insist on preloading the shifter...  just remember that force is going somewhere, even if you don't hear it... yet.

The idea behind this is to take up the loose slack. Not to start pressing on the shifter. It really does make the shifting smoother.

[LOKi]

Not really speed shifting just shifting faster. Why hang out with the clutch pulled once your in the next gear. Speed shifting has such a negative sound to it. 

gammer I really need to get me one of those there dirt bikes. That does sound like lots of fun. Wouldn't do that to my nighthawk though. I'm rough on her but not that rough.

[Eville]

I typically shift around 4k

[fishmeister]

I always shift before 10,700....I hate when the limiter kicks in. 

[martian]

As for you guys who insist on preloading the shifter...  just remember that force is going somewhere, even if you don't hear it... yet.

The idea behind this is to take up the loose slack. Not to start pressing on the shifter. It really does make the shifting smoother.

Ok, I see what you're saying.  On my my CB450SC there are no ball joints or linkage and the bushing is still solid so there is no slack.  On my Magna I replaced the ball joints (bushing is still solid) which removed the slack from it so pre-loading is not necessary.  Believe me, getting rid of shifter slop is the absolute, hands down best mod you can do!

Martian

I always shift before 10,700....I hate when the limiter kicks in. 

I believe the rev limiter is in the longer spark box (basically it cuts out those two cylinders to kill the revs).  A mischievous person could swap that out to effectively remove the rev limit  .  I think the tach might also be controlled by that spark box however so that could be a fairly significant problem...

[DISCLAIMER:  I'm posting this tongue-in-check and not actually proposing that you do it]

[gammer]

I always shift before 10,700....I hate when the limiter kicks in. 

I've read in a magazine article that the Nighthawk S will rev past its red line limit...
The rev limiter doesn't kick in til 12,500 or something like that?
The article was for an '84 Nighthawk S though...so maybe they lowered the limiter on the 86's?
I know the 85's have a different CDI box then the 84's.

[hppants]

It's a little off topic, but I can tell anyone that a plethora of nighthawks in the wooded twisties holding the same gear (prolly 2nd or 3rd) rolling on out of the turn to about 7K and engine braking into the turn to about 4K is an orchestrial symphony that is second to nothing.   

[gammer]

It's a little off topic, but I can tell anyone that a plethora of nighthawks in the wooded twisties holding the same gear (prolly 2nd or 3rd) rolling on out of the turn to about 7K and engine braking into the turn to about 4K is an orchestrial symphony that is second to nothing.   

Very cool 

[Laminar]

[gammer]

Laminar, that is awesome 

You should post that in the video links section too, if you haven't done so already.

[Ol School]

I like to shift mine when I feel the valves start to float and she just isn`t going to make another ounce of  horse power ....who needs a tach ...hahaha
Now that was in my young dumb street raceing days .
As a mature adult with bills to pay and work to get done ....I shift into 2nd as soon as both my feet are on the pegs ..and no more than 4 grand on the rest of the shifts ....I like my 46 mpg and whats left of my skin on my bones not on the street .  
The only reason I take it to 4 grand is because of the weak chargeing system.....I also chose my running gear to keep up with traffic yet still keep it chargeing .

[Laminar]

I like to shift mine when I feel the valves start to float and she just isn`t going to make another ounce of  horse power ....who needs a tach ...hahaha
Now that was in my young dumb street raceing days .
As a mature adult with bills to pay and work to get done ....I shift into 2nd as soon as both my feet are on the pegs ..and no more than 4 grand on the rest of the shifts ....I like my 46 mpg and whats left of my skin on my bones not on the street . 
The only reason I take it to 4 grand is because of the weak chargeing system.....I also chose my running gear to keep up with traffic yet still keep it chargeing .

I run my 550 up to redline every single time I ride and still pull 44-46 mpg. You're missing out if you don't wind the 550 up.

[Ol School]

I wouldn`t like haveing to listen to the exaust scream these days ..
and I`m suprised at how well mine pulls from the low rpm ..heck it ain`t suppose to ..
not that I don`t punch it once in a while just to make sure its still there ...

[rwilli1228]

"Believe me, getting rid of shifter slop is the absolute, hands down best mod you can do!"


Amen

[muttstang]

It depends.

[tcoop]

When I can bend my elbows again.

[manimoney1]

I shift at 3000rpm.  I'll make it to 5 the gear and just be going 40mph.