Gears: How do you do it?

[flamegrape]

I'm interested in knowing what people think and prefer.

When I was learning to ride, I was advised to go from 1st gear to 5th/6th as soon as possible and ride there.

I've since been reading SuperBike Magazine and their riding coaches recommend riding in a gear where you can feel the engine, with higher revs, giving more control and more response.

How do you do it?
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Jonny (Riding his Kawasaki ZX6R J1)
It's one big learning curve right now

[pinkyfloyd]

I ride a gsxr750 and for trips around town its rarely out of 3rd gear but on the open road or motorways then its top gear.

Each bike is different and from the experience I have on my bike it loves high revs. Its just as happy screaming along in 2nd gear at 10K revs doing 70 as it is in 6th gear doing the same at 4K revs.

Personally though I like to keep the revs low around town as its a noisy bugger in closed in areas and when I'm on a jaunt in the country I'm not afraid to let the engine scream.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Dazbo666]

If I'm commuting or just taking it easy, I ride in a higher gear and just roll along...

But if I'm having a "spirited" ride, keep it in a lower gear, with higher revs for better throttle response
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[flamegrape]

[G]

It depends whether you want acceleration or fuel economy.
For acceleration you need to be in the lowest gear possible with a bit left over, for fuel economy, the highest is generally the best.

[TQ]

I only ever use sixth on the motorway and generally don't get above forth riding normally.

Occasionally slip it into fifth if I'm just having a relaxing ride rather than gunning it.

As far as around town goes I'm the opposite, I prefer to keep it in a lower gear to enable me to easily shoot into gaps and ensure the bike is loud enough for people to hear (loud pipes save lives lol).
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First Bike :Gilera DNA 50 | Second: Imported 1989 NSR125
Third: 1998 Yamaha XJ600N | Currently: 1999 Yamaha FZS600

[flamegrape]

[Roos]

Same as others have said for me -

if I'm giving it beans I stay lower for better response and traction.

pottering I go high (but not too high that I loose the exhaust note.. ).

If you have a pillion short shifting is more comfy for them as it makes it alot smoother.

Must admit to doing a lot of block gear changes both up and down.

Bike engines don't like staying in low revs generally.. it's not that good for them.

cheers
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The safest place for ships is in a dock - but thats not what they were made for.

[flamegrape]

[Teflon-Mike]

[G]

I was taught to short-shift in both my CBTs.

[Rowey]

I was taught to short shift too. Think they call it economic driving/riding nowadays.

I tend to be around the mid revs (8k) most of the time around town. This gives me enough up top to shoot off if needed, but also isn't ringing the bikes neck all the time. It means I rarely need to get into third, and it keeps the bike noisy enough to be heard and then seen.

If I'm on the motorway then I just put it in 6th gear and switch down to filter.
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ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[Blau Zedong]

https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/BLUEX5/a468ee27.jpg

Well it was either that or "how do i shot web" .....
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Roos]

[Slacker24seve...]

[Roos]

[Bloke]

[Roos]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Rowey]