She's a Screamer, but Still Likes a Slow Hand

Calamarichris · 03-09-2005

Today I learned how to make my EX500 shift consistently smooth! It was frustrating when the bike would sometimes have a rough shift, (especially from first to second gear.) And I think I have her figured out: rev the poopy out of her (for she loves to sing!), but the shift action will go much smoother with an easy, unhurried motion, as if you were shifting a Goldwing @ 1500rpm.
It's counter-intuitive, because when you're straddling a high-revving engine, and the scenery is accelerating at you, you naturally feel you should be shifting quickly to "keep up" with the bike. But if you resist this inclination and shift her casually, she shifts smoothly almost every time!
-Calamarichris in C'bad (2300 miles on the new bike (Lolita) and she's nearly broken in.)

**2WheelFun** · 03-09-2005

Chris....you sure those puppies aren't hindering your shifting?

JoeNomad1 · 03-09-2005

Looks like dual exhaust to me. Cruisers and sport bikes like different shifting as well, however there is still a sweet spot in the rpm's for clean shifting.

**Spok** · 03-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by whistle clean

Chris....you sure those puppies aren't hindering your shifting?

I think your on to something there whistle. I'd think its hard to be smooth in a shift with either a cold nose on your nose or a doggie tail in your face

Calamarichris · 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by whistle clean

Chris....you sure those puppies aren't hindering your shifting?

Hiya Whistle.
The one on the left is mine and she's ridden nearly 40,000 miles with me over the years. It was the little guy's first weekend on the bike and he did pretty well and rode about 150 miles with us around town and to various dog-friendly hangouts (where women like to take their dogs!) He stood up when I put the bike on the centerstand, but they both fit in there much better than it looks in the photo.
http://www.calamarichris.com/angelhelps.htm
Peace!
-Chris

**2WheelFun** · 03-10-2005

spok...now those cabbage patch dolls wont be so hard to haul since all they require is a bungee chord to keep em in place. No wet nose or tail wagging! lol

Chris...that was a good story / experience. Ya have to wonder what the guy was thinking about you as he rode home. While being greateful that you stopped to help I'm sure he may have thought he just met a "different" sort of bike rider?

*ispeed77* · 03-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeNomad1

Looks like dual exhaust to me. Cruisers and sport bikes like different shifting as well, however there is still a sweet spot in the rpm's for clean shifting.

i agree
the sporty's definitely like to be revved, but i think the cruiser v-twins prefer lower rpm shifts. either way, good point Chris and Joe

nathan600r · 03-12-2005

What RPM are you shifting at?

Calamarichris · 03-14-2005

Shifting anywhere from 4,000 to 9,000. It's counter-intuitive, because you tend to shift more anxiously/quickly at higher rpm, but if you just shift casually and deliberately every time, it shifts smoother than a baby's butt. No lie.
Took the dog for a 140-mile ride yesterday and humiliated some poor kid on a yellow F4 on Palomar Mountain.

*ispeed77* · 03-14-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calamarichris

Shifting anywhere from 4,000 to 9,000. It's counter-intuitive, because you tend to shift more anxiously/quickly at higher rpm, but if you just shift casually and deliberately every time, it shifts smoother than a baby's butt. No lie.
Took the dog for a 140-mile ride yesterday and humiliated some poor kid on a yellow F4 on Palomar Mountain.

don't you love doing that to someone who thinks they have a better machine so they can outrun you ?! i went on a trip last summer with a friend with a VTX and a friend with a CBR600RR. i was in the lead with my trailer in tow the entire trip, and guess who was always lagging behind, especially when we were passing people ! and he is the one that is always preaching about how much faster his bike is that mine ! ha, its all about the rider, not the bike, well, within reason.

Calamarichris · 03-17-2005

I don't usually like to get competitive on the road, but yes. Yes I do love that, Ispeed. Back when I was rebuilding my (POS) Honda Superhawk, the only bike I had was my little W650, but that made a mighty nice paddle to spank some arrogant @$$es with on the tighter roads.

And I just found out that some nice guy was up taking pictures at Palomar (http://www.palomarpics.com/) and got this shot of my dog in mid-corner:

Chromequeen · 03-17-2005

That's one awesome pic Chris! Your dog looks like it's a pro at riding as well!

*ispeed77* · 03-17-2005

that is a very cool pic Chris, congrats on the find !

03-09-2005	#1 (permalink)
Calamarichris Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 607	She's a Screamer, but Still Likes a Slow Hand Today I learned how to make my EX500 shift consistently smooth! It was frustrating when the bike would sometimes have a rough shift, (especially from first to second gear.) And I think I have her figured out: rev the poopy out of her (for she loves to sing!), but the shift action will go much smoother with an easy, unhurried motion, as if you were shifting a Goldwing @ 1500rpm. It's counter-intuitive, because when you're straddling a high-revving engine, and the scenery is accelerating at you, you naturally feel you should be shifting quickly to "keep up" with the bike. But if you resist this inclination and shift her casually, she shifts smoothly almost every time! -Calamarichris in C'bad (2300 miles on the new bike (Lolita) and she's nearly broken in.)

03-09-2005	#2 (permalink)
2WheelFun the "fun old" guy Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albion, Washington "Pacific Northwest" Posts: 30,372	Chris....you sure those puppies aren't hindering your shifting? __________________ *KING KAHUNA* *2007 V2K LT* ****PICS** 2007 Brute Force 650i **PICS** I love the smell of SeaFoam in the morning**

03-09-2005	#3 (permalink)
JoeNomad1 Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Fl weather I've been waiting for! Posts: 875	Looks like dual exhaust to me. Cruisers and sport bikes like different shifting as well, however there is still a sweet spot in the rpm's for clean shifting. __________________ 99 Green Nomad VH Dual Baggers Extra Chrome Bits Hi Five Air Cleaner

03-10-2005	#6 (permalink)
2WheelFun the "fun old" guy Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albion, Washington "Pacific Northwest" Posts: 30,372	spok...now those cabbage patch dolls wont be so hard to haul since all they require is a bungee chord to keep em in place. No wet nose or tail wagging! lol Chris...that was a good story / experience. Ya have to wonder what the guy was thinking about you as he rode home. While being greateful that you stopped to help I'm sure he may have thought he just met a "different" sort of bike rider? __________________ *KING KAHUNA* *2007 V2K LT* ****PICS** 2007 Brute Force 650i **PICS** I love the smell of SeaFoam in the morning**

03-17-2005	#13 (permalink)
ispeed77 RIP Deron Harden :-( Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 30,712	that is a very cool pic Chris, congrats on the find ! __________________ In loving memory of Deron Harden, forever in our thoughts :-(

03-12-2005	#8 (permalink)
nathan600r Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Why do you care? Posts: 302	What RPM are you shifting at?

03-14-2005	#9 (permalink)
Calamarichris Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 607	Shifting anywhere from 4,000 to 9,000. It's counter-intuitive, because you tend to shift more anxiously/quickly at higher rpm, but if you just shift casually and deliberately every time, it shifts smoother than a baby's butt. No lie. Took the dog for a 140-mile ride yesterday and humiliated some poor kid on a yellow F4 on Palomar Mountain.

03-17-2005	#11 (permalink)
Calamarichris Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 607	I don't usually like to get competitive on the road, but yes. Yes I do love that, Ispeed. Back when I was rebuilding my (POS) Honda Superhawk, the only bike I had was my little W650, but that made a mighty nice paddle to spank some arrogant @$$es with on the tighter roads. And I just found out that some nice guy was up taking pictures at Palomar (http://www.palomarpics.com/) and got this shot of my dog in mid-corner:

03-17-2005	#12 (permalink)
Chromequeen Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panhandle, FL Posts: 3,209	That's one awesome pic Chris! Your dog looks like it's a pro at riding as well!

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