I'm so embarassed...Am I doing it too much?

[taro]

Stoopid question. With the lack of rain we've been having lately, I've been getting a lot of mileage in for the last two weeks. I feel like an old man complaining about this, but...my left ankle is getting to the point where it's beginning to protest when I upshift. I don't know if this is from shifting so much or if it is because I keep trying to shift into 7th gear like an idiot. Any thoughts?

Also, I've been getting some pain on the outside of my right knee. I have an ex500 and I'm hanging off the bike pretty often (although I've yet to drag a knee). Thanks.

[StarGate]

I remember one bike I had many years ago that gave me a problem shifting. I was having to strain to pull up enough to shift. I ended up taking the shift leaver off and repositioning it a little lower. Never had another problem shifting.

I've already had surgery to fix both knees so I won't go there.

[eidian]

I asked members in a 500 forum if I was the only one who consistently tried to shift to "the elusive 7th gear". I was not, much to my relief, so don't feel embarrassed.

I started it doing after I began to use the freeway to commute; my wife and I moved into our condo a few months ago and I started to take the HOV Lane. I'm the master at shifting in LA traffic on the streets but I'm still getting used to the faster speeds (gear-wise) on the freeway. How about you Taro...do you try to shift into 7th on the freeway only or is it all of the time?

[MauiAl]

To directly answer your question the only person I knew that did it too much was wife number one. She was doing it, oh I don't know, maybe 10 times as much as I was.

Have a tach? Easy to check rpm against speed if you're already in 6th.

[taro]

Mike, thanks for the tip. I'll look at what adjustments I might be able to make to the lever.

Eidian, I try to cruise in 6th to try to save on fuel when I'm comfortably tailing someone who is going faster than I'd normally cruise. But growing up on small four cylinder cars, I'm very quick to downshift when I feel the need to have the ability to get out of trouble or if I'm taking some curves. What I end up doing is downshifting to fourth or third, pretty often and then once I make a pass, am away from "trouble," or end up on a long straight, I then try to upshift quickly back up to 6th. I'm thinking that once I get up to third or fourth depending on what kind of road I'm on, I'm no longer winding out each gear and so I just short shift to 6th. Because I'm not consistent with being aware of what gear I'm in, I end up going for 7th.

Al, I think you're right. I'll have to get more consistent with my gear awareness so my body will stop making me feel older than I think I should feel.

[Thmastr]

if I remember correctly 6th @ 65 gave me about 6k rpm.. or 6.5k rpm.. It just takes a little getting used to.

out in the twisties I won't even look at my spedo, but my tack, that tells me what gear I am in.. if it seems fast and im about 11k rpm ill be in 2nd, same speed but lower rpm means im in 3rd...

[Christo]

I have to say, I was thinking you were on a bout something else from the title! Hope the hair recedes and the vision improves!

[A2rider]

Don't feel bad, I'm looking for 6th on my bike all the time. Maybe one day I'll figure out it doesn't exist.

[stefano]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who gets that pain in the right knee - I can't figure out why it's only the right one... but know you're not alone.

I used to try and shift into 7th all the time when I was new on the bike... nowadays it happens less often but... it still happens

As for the ankle, wouldn't be able to say if it's you or the bike...

[fretbuzz]

Originally Posted by MauiAl

To directly answer your question the only person I knew that did it too much was wife number one. She was doing it, oh I don't know, maybe 10 times as much as I was.

Have a tach? Easy to check rpm against speed if you're already in 6th.

Bwaaaaaahahahahah

[stefano]

Originally Posted by nomad16

Bwaaaaaahahahahah

LMFAO you twisted, son!

[taro]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm gonna try to be better about knowing what gear I'm in. Don't know what to do about the knee yet.

[vulcan500rider]

How about adding a heel/toe shifter. I have one on my c90 and don't have to use my toe (or ankle) at all.

[taro]

Never even heard of that. Thanks for the tip. I'll look into it.

[hayward6]

I think there must be something wrong with me, like a "tic" or something because I find myself constantly counting the gears as I shift up and down... It would be impossible for me to not know what gear im in because this counting kinda happens subconsciously.