6th cruising gear (Suzuki Idea)

[kawashima]

I recently noticed that CB1300 has only 5 gears and revs about 3400rpm at 100km/h(60mph). While GSX1250FA has 6 gears and 3200rpm, GSX1400 has 6 gears and 2900rpm.
I read Big naked has 5 gears with wide ratio to reduce gear changes. And GSX1400 is 5 wide gear + 6th cruising gear.
I often read CB1300 owners wanting 6th gear(or make 5th more higher) cause it revs too high(3400rpm) for its enough torque.
If I think of going for over litre naked/tourer, I will go for Suzuki only for high 6th gear. I like the Idea of 6 gears with wide ratio for big bike.
Cause even on Big naked/tourer, I want better MPG, and its stressful while cruising with unnecessary high revs.
p.s. TDM900 has close 6 gears and 3500rpm.

Do you like this Idea of Suzuki?
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own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[Maruchino]

One of the main reasons I got my GSX1250FA was to get effortless drive in 6th gear. I'm not sure 200, or even 500rpm will make a huge amount of difference though really.

I don't know a huge amount about it, but I'd guess there were more factors than just gear ratio on what makes a good 'cruising' speed/bike. In reality the GSX1250FA is pretty effortless in any gear - e.g. you can pull away from a standing start in 4th gear and also cruise at 60mph in 4th gear and not have any problems or issues at all. Presume torque comes into this equation at some point too?

[Polarbear]

From what I can think, all of my recent bikes have had 6 gears. Tiger Explorer, Street triple R, busa, Goldwing 1800. Wifeys 650 bandit and Kwac ER6 as well.

I would guess that five speed boxes are now only in older design engines or cruisers with large torque and no revs.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[kawashima]

[kawashima]

[salty21]

how about just buying what you like the look and feel of, then fitting a smaller rear sprocket, or larger front if there is room for it?

I'm planning to seriously 'up' gear my 600RR for this years europe trip...I was planning on getting a more suitable bike but just figured it would be easier to change the gearing and get a more comfortable seat.

Currently my bike sits at about 8000-8500rpm for ~90mph motorway speeds, which is not good for my comfort or the bikes fuel economy
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[G]

My KTM 690 has an overall ratio of about 2.8 I think.

That is that the top gear is 2.8 times the bottom gear. So if first gear will do 60kph, top gear will do 168kph.

Ideally I want a wide ratio gearbox, so first gear is lower and top gear is higher.

For very steep off road stuff I would like a lower first gear, but I'd also like a higher top gear for sitting on the motorway.

The Husky TE610, which is a similar bike has a ratio of 3.4 I believe.
So for the same top speed, first gear would only go to 50kph not 60kph - which would mean it would also idle slower and pull better at low speed.

Note that the BMW G650 is a similar bike which only has 5 gears not 6. Yet the BMW gear ratios between top and bottom actually fall between the KTM and the Husky - so often as you mention, it's not the number of gears but the spacing between them.

For road bikes, generally if I want higher gearing I don't mind gearing the bike higher and losing a bit in first gear, unless it's low powered. Often I will do the opposite, but then not use first gear for much - as a reasonably powerful bike downgeared will wheelie at any point in second gear anyway.

[Cheeseybeaner]

[kawashima]

[Richy CB1000]

My mildy set up CB has approx 115hp 100ft lb, 80 in 5th is around 4100 revs, being a naked that's enough.

A sixth in real life wouldn't really make too much difference, the important bit, not enough for me to limit my choice of machine due to it. The motors are not buzzy at those speeds in fifth.

You just find yourself prodding for an extra change up occasionally if your on a charge but then you realise how much you're doing an are grateful it hasn't got the extra gear!

They're all about torque, that same fifth gear is just about happy at say 25mph so once moving that's it just ride.

Unless you're more into the touring where you'll probably go for a faired bike where slightly on the wrong side of the speed limits maybe entertained more, I wouldn't worry about the sixth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqjQLu2w4t8

Just an example of a lad on a fifth gear only CB sounds quite relaxed even at 100 in fifth.

[salty21]

[kawashima]

[Frost]

The reason i got rid on my NC30 is because 80mph was 8000rpm in top gear!
135 top speed in 6th, 65ish top speed in 1st gave a ratio of 135 / 65 = 2.07

[kawashima]

[robbieguy2003]

Hi, I've got a 1250, and the 6th gear is handy just for highway/motorway use. It will however happily pull from about 20mph in 6th and happily from 30mph.

It's very effortless to drive. I've a 600rr as well, and the power delivery is the polar opposite.

The only thing i 'dislike' about the 1250 plant is that it drops off in power deliver as it gets towards it's rev limit. But the amount of torque at the bottom is great.

It's a great commuter, good tourer - two up barely changes the handling, and it's not bad for the odd hoon, although I prefer the 600 for that.
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Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[kawashima]

[Noxious89123]

I think my 600 revs at about 6000rpm at 70mph

Even my car is doing over 3000rpm at motorway speeds. Close ratio 'box is a bit sucky for motorways, great everywhere else though.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[G]

[TT_Man]

[Maruchino]

[TT_Man]

Thanks
thats not too bad, guess I'll have to go and test ride one!
TT

[Maruchino]