Shift points, RPMs, etc

[CraigF]

Any suggestions on where to keep the RPMs on my 700 S?   I'm finding that I'm shifting around 4500 RPMs and I've been told I need to wind it out more.   (My riding experience before buying this bike has been a 150cc scooter with a CVT--no shifting, low RPMs, low power.)

Also, if I'm cruising around where should I keep the RPMs?   

[nh700]

if your just puttin around town thats just rite i think..thats where i shift..if im goin alil more spirited riding then i shift around 7500....if i really wana haul ass then ill wind it oout to the funzone all the way up to 10k

[Pizzmeister]

I've always shifted around 5500 RPMs or so.  I typically cruise around at 4000-4500 RPMs.

[Bumblebee]

4500 is about typical on my CB650. I put a redline at 6000RPM and it seldom crosses 5500RPM except during the rare emergency when someone is intentionally trying to kill me.
Shift where it feels comfortable. Don't shift so early that you have to hold the throttle open for a while to let the RPM build back up. You should be able to shift and accelerate easily. I don't see a real point in having to dump 6000RPM in order to shift.

I've had several people with little to no actual mechanical knowledge tell me I should never shift before 8000RPM because it's bad for the engine. I ignore those people since they typically respond to "why" with "rrrrrwwwweeeeEEEEEEEEEE sound cool." Lower RPM (up to a point) is lower thermal and mechanical stresses on an engine. I'm still on my first engine at over 1000 hours, it doesn't make metal, no oil leaks, doesn't burn oil, fasteners are staying torqued down, everything that I've looked at inside is in excellent condition at or near new tolerances. At this rate, overhaul is likely to occur somewhere in excess of 3000 hours.

Keep doing what you're doing. You're ok.

[Maxx]

My rpm shifting depends on how I am riding. If I am taking it easy I shoot for where the R's almost match. Wide open is whatever happens.

[xxxbotchlaxxx]

my bike makes wayyyyy more power at about 7k upwards, if I am having fun gettin to 60 as fast as I want, I redline it, 10k, and it pulls all the way there!  But if I am in traffic at all, or just gettin to work, 4k or so sounds fine.it all depends on how fast you want to accelerate.  To get maximum acceleration, I would think you shift no lower then 8k

And as far as where you should cruise, pick a speed, pick the highest gear you can accelerate at all in... on the highway I would say keep the speedo at 60 or so and keep your bike in 6th gear, the rpm is just the result.  I think on the highway I am probably somewhere around 4-5k, in town on back roads, I ride in the 3k range, depending on terrain

[nh700]

my bike makes wayyyyy more power at about 7k upwards, if I am having fun gettin to 60 as fast as I want, I redline it, 10k, and it pulls all the way there!  But if I am in traffic at all, or just gettin to work, 4k or so sounds fine.it all depends on how fast you want to accelerate.  To get maximum acceleration, I would think you shift no lower then 8k

And as far as where you should cruise, pick a speed, pick the highest gear you can accelerate at all in... on the highway I would say keep the speedo at 60 or so and keep your bike in 6th gear, the rpm is just the result.  I think on the highway I am probably somewhere around 4-5k, in town on back roads, I ride in the 3k range, depending on terrain

same thing here... i love that rush of power from 7k up...where better feelin than a flat torque curve of a harley..2me at least

[gammer]

Yeah, I definitely notice a 'power boost' after 6000 RPM. This bike certainly has more top end then bottom end power. So if you want fast fun, keep those RPM's singing.
I'd say that for normal cruising, I'm around 4000 - 5000 RPM.

[Clark]

It's not important where you shift, that depends on how much you want out of your engine.  I care more about engine vibration.  Learning the hard way about handlebar buzzzzz.  I once received a call on my cell after a ride and thought that my cell was on constant vibrate. (hands were completely numb)

Keeping my rpms around 5500 is where my engine smooths out and has no vibration.  I were ear plugs and really can't here the engine. (I was in 4th gear on the highway, thinking WOW, LOVE THE TOP END!!!). 

When driving my car (stick) I skip gears all the time.  My 5 speed becomes a 3 speed when my leg gets tired. (1,3,5) I'm not sure my car has a 4th gear. (193,000 and counting, original clutch)

Skipping gears on my motorcycle or starting in 2nd is a daily habit for me as well.  I only downshift for 2 reasons: 1 coming to a stop   2 downshifting for a turn.

You probably think that I am wearing out my clutch, but the opposite is true. (less were and tear - minus 2nd gear starts)

Clark

[CraigF]

If you are getting too much handlebar vibration, maybe your isolators are worn out.   The CB700SC doesn't have any--I read that the engine mounts perform this decoupling. 

Other Nighthawk models have rubber isolators where the handlebar connects.  (I know there's name for this, but it escapes me right now.)

[happycommuter]

And as far as where you should cruise, pick a speed, pick the highest gear you can accelerate at all in

+1.  You can shortshift at very low revs and get to top gear at schoolyard speeds.  Great for fuel economy, but the lethargic acceleration available is a bit unsafe in traffic. 

I care more about engine vibration.

Yeah, that's the honest answer for me too.  Downshift if the power delivery isn't smooth, upshift if the noise is excessive. 
Depends on circumstances, but I generally cruise at 4500-5500 rpm, shift around 6K.