Gears

duayne77 · 07-03-2009

I went out on my first ride the other weekend with friends and had a great time. My question is do you always remember what gear you are in? There was times when I didn't remember what gear I was in.

Duayne

jlcnuke · 07-03-2009

only first and second most of the time, otherwise I just downshift when needed or for turns where I know what gear I want and not sure how far away I go all the way down then back up to it.

CTRider · 07-03-2009

When I see the neutral light blink once as I pass over neutral on the downshift, I know I'm in first and stop shifting down.

When the Overdrive light comes on, I know I'm in 6th and stop shifting up.

Anything beyond that, I don't care as long as the RPMs are where it's comfortable, which is 2500-3500.

eidian · 07-03-2009

Knowing what gear you're in is irrelevant--even when you're lugging or over rev'ing the engine. If you're doing either, shift accordingly; trust me, there's no need to know if you're in 3rd or 4th gear if you have the wheel and engine speed where you need them to be.

I got to test ride a Street Triple 675 a couple of weekends ago and I noticed that it had a gear indicator. My firs thought was, "...that's cool..."; I looked at it a couple of times just to see what gear I was in out of interest because I never rode the bike before.

idmtchris · 07-03-2009

The only time I am conserned with what gear I am in is when I am stopped and have to get going again. Other than that it is all feel. If I am cruising along and have to stop I just down shift til I can't down shift any more I do not count.

messer00 · 07-03-2009

My ZX-6R has a gear indicator and huge digital speedo on it. I listen to the engine, but these two things do make riding easier.

Lawn Masters · 07-03-2009

I too just use engine sound and feel, and ignore the count of what gear am I in.

then again on my bike, it doesnt matter if I'm cruising along at 2k rpm, or screaming at 10k, I've got power all over. its rare that I hit 10k though.

Hot Cruiser · 07-03-2009

I'm also one of "engine sound and feel" riders, but with my VN900 LT also keep an eye on the tach and speedo when shifting up and down. I spend most of the time in 5th, so once I'm there that's pretty much it until I hit the next town or a scenic stopping point.

RichLockyer · 07-03-2009

+10,000... the "name" of the gear doesn't matter. You're either in the "right" gear or the "wrong" gear. That's all that matters.

CTRider · 07-04-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

+10,000... the "name" of the gear doesn't matter. You're either in the "right" gear or the "wrong" gear. That's all that matters.

I named all mine after the dwarfs from Snow White. Neutral is Grumpy since it's my least favorite gear - Happy is 6th...Bashful is 1st...

messer00 · 07-04-2009

LMAO !!!

Bubba68CS · 07-04-2009

My 14 has a gear indicator...but like everyone else...all that really matters is being in a gear the engine is happy with. 1st is easy...you can't downshift anymore

Its nice knowing when you are in top gear...but with the 14 it doesn't matter...it runs smooth as butter in any gear. My old 900 on the other hand took some getting used to...running in top gear, you'd think you still have another gear left when on an interstate. Many a time I pulled in the clutch only to find out the gear shift doesn't go up anymore

07-03-2009	#1 (permalink)
duayne77 Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 136	Gears I went out on my first ride the other weekend with friends and had a great time. My question is do you always remember what gear you are in? There was times when I didn't remember what gear I was in. Duayne

07-03-2009	#3 (permalink)
CTRider TV Guru Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 10,599	When I see the neutral light blink once as I pass over neutral on the downshift, I know I'm in first and stop shifting down. When the Overdrive light comes on, I know I'm in 6th and stop shifting up. Anything beyond that, I don't care as long as the RPMs are where it's comfortable, which is 2500-3500. __________________ 1983 Honda CB550 About Me Answers to your Gadget Questions Gadget Forum

07-03-2009	#4 (permalink)
eidian Black is faster, right? Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Buena Park, CA Posts: 2,840	Knowing what gear you're in is irrelevant--even when you're lugging or over rev'ing the engine. If you're doing either, shift accordingly; trust me, there's no need to know if you're in 3rd or 4th gear if you have the wheel and engine speed where you need them to be. I got to test ride a Street Triple 675 a couple of weekends ago and I noticed that it had a gear indicator. My firs thought was, "...that's cool..."; I looked at it a couple of times just to see what gear I was in out of interest because I never rode the bike before. __________________ '07 black Z1000: Power Bronze/Projekt D/EYI Designs/Leo Vince/Puig/Galfer/T1Concepts

07-03-2009	#5 (permalink)
idmtchris 2007 900 Classic Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 1,499	The only time I am conserned with what gear I am in is when I am stopped and have to get going again. Other than that it is all feel. If I am cruising along and have to stop I just down shift til I can't down shift any more I do not count. __________________ Degenerate Gambler

07-03-2009	#7 (permalink)
Lawn Masters hates stupidity BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Port Richey FL Posts: 2,108	I too just use engine sound and feel, and ignore the count of what gear am I in. then again on my bike, it doesnt matter if I'm cruising along at 2k rpm, or screaming at 10k, I've got power all over. its rare that I hit 10k though. __________________ ZedX 1k owner. henceforth The bike shall be Zed.

07-03-2009	#2 (permalink)
jlcnuke Too busy, I blame Donkey BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North of Atlanta Posts: 1,900	only first and second most of the time, otherwise I just downshift when needed or for turns where I know what gear I want and not sure how far away I go all the way down then back up to it.

07-03-2009	#6 (permalink)
messer00 2009 ZX-6R BTK Expert Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,459	My ZX-6R has a gear indicator and huge digital speedo on it. I listen to the engine, but these two things do make riding easier.

07-03-2009	#8 (permalink)
Hot Cruiser Politicians' Nightmare BTK Expert Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Coastal Oregon Posts: 977	I'm also one of "engine sound and feel" riders, but with my VN900 LT also keep an eye on the tach and speedo when shifting up and down. I spend most of the time in 5th, so once I'm there that's pretty much it until I hit the next town or a scenic stopping point. __________________ Jim '07 Vulcan 900 Classic LT Jesus is Lord

07-03-2009	#9 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 28,016	+10,000... the "name" of the gear doesn't matter. You're either in the "right" gear or the "wrong" gear. That's all that matters. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Ultra-Classic Patriot Guard Rider *Please put your bike year/model in your sig line or fill in your profile before asking for help.*

07-04-2009	#11 (permalink)
messer00 2009 ZX-6R BTK Expert Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,459	LMAO !!!

07-04-2009	#12 (permalink)
Bubba68CS I'm your Huckleberry BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,759	My 14 has a gear indicator...but like everyone else...all that really matters is being in a gear the engine is happy with. 1st is easy...you can't downshift anymore Its nice knowing when you are in top gear...but with the 14 it doesn't matter...it runs smooth as butter in any gear. My old 900 on the other hand took some getting used to...running in top gear, you'd think you still have another gear left when on an interstate. Many a time I pulled in the clutch only to find out the gear shift doesn't go up anymore

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