Ideal speed range for each gear. 02 GSXR600.

[minemich]

Hello, was curious about the ideal speed for each gear. When cruising on the highway, i wonder if its more fuel efficient to travel 115 kms/h in 4th gear at roughly 8-10 rpms, or at the same speed in 5th gear at roughly 5-6 rpms??

[G]

Probably be the most fuel efficient in sixth gear at lowest revs - is the case the majority of the time, in my experience.

[Faraz]

Highest gear, lowest revs on the highway/motorway.
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'56 Yamaha MT-01
'05 Nissan 350z Roadster GT
3 words dude.. Fvck. Yes.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Will depend on the bike. Rule of thumb is high gear.

However the engine is at its most efficient with the revs at peak torque and on full throttle. Trouble is that is likely to be pretty fast, which means the dire aerodynamics of a bike will knacker the fuel economy.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Shay HTFC]

One thing that I always thought is that whether it is more economical to bumble along almost idling it in a high gear, or ride at say 6000 revs in a lower gear.

I just assumed that the throttle was directly linked to the amount of fuel going through the carb, but I guess it's more down to the vacuum acting on it or something, so the amount is variable?

It's my thinking that if you can use a little bit of fuel in a high gear to keep the bike rolling, then surely it's better than using higher revs just to get the same effect?
What would you advise?
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Full Motorbike License - GS500E '95

[Kickstart]

Hi

Likely to be best in the high gear.

However biggest effect on fuel economy will be riding smoothly. At a normal pace very little power / fuel is needed to cruise along, compared to quite a bit required to accelerate (kinetic energy that is just thrown away when you brake) .

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[minemich]

Very good points, i always thought that in a high gear at low revs, the engine would need to work harder to keep the bike going.. Therefore resulting in more fuel loss. Although it makes sense now, will be putting my bike to the test in July, for i will ride from Toronto to Florida.. So i will make some experiments.. Anyways, thanks again for the tips. Cheers lads.