600 Inline Fours and gear selection in 30mph zones

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

So continually getting used to the bike but as a car driver still unsure of optimal use of gears. When cruising at 30mph I like to keep it in second as that is where it seems most responsive. Is that correct or should I be in third? Am i pissing away fuel in second?

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

There is no right or wrong.

Just go by what you feel is right to the traffic levels.

Old Xj 600 would happly sit in 6th at 30, or 1st......
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Mikey3 · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Karma :

second or third, third would save a little more fuel probably, but we're not talking much.
As long as the bike isnt high in the revs, generally better to keep 'em low, 1. doesn't piss everyone off, 2. saves fuel and unnecessary wear.
But i wouldn't expect it to be any problem whatsoever Smile

HTH
Mike
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Beelzebob · Spanner Monkey Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Karma :

What bike? There are a few quite different IL4s (and even then, on the same type of bike you could have different sprockets).

Divvy I generally cruised in 4th. Hornet usually 3rd but 4th also fine.

Also depends on road, how many traffic lights/junctions/crossings etc. If there's gonna be a lot of stop start, generally I won't bother going so high up the gears.

For normal crusing 2nd probly too high imo.
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'09 YBR 125 -> '92 XJ600 S Diversion -> '99 Hornet 600

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P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Haven't had a 600 for a while, but on the 750 I sit in 4th or 5th. Same with a 125 Laughing

Probably be around 3 or 4..

mossi123uk · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 15 Oct 2011 Karma :

on my xj 600 3rd seems best for me, engine isnt too loud and has alot of pull in 3rd from 30mph

stonesie · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jul 2010 Karma :

5th or 6th on the Daytona, keeps the race can to a pleasant burble rather than a scream and it will still pull reasonably well from about 2.5K.

On the SV (taller gearing than the D650) 3rd or 4th, 4th was nice, 3Krpm = 30 but 3rd was better putting it to about 3.6K, right in the PAIR* zone so every time I closed the throttle the exhaust crackled and popped, this doesnt happen untill 6K on the D650.

*PAIR = Suzuki's system that pulses air into the exhaust headers to burn off any un-burnt fuel in the exhaust, with a baffle free can it sounds lovley Laughing

Lupine Lacuna · Scooby Slapper Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Karma :

Interesting comments, its a Bandit 600. With the ART exhaust does sound a bit silly in 2nd I have to admit.!

But lots of stops and starts hence laziness

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

on the ZX9R and Bandit 1250 I wouldn't be any higher than 2nd at 30mph. Any higher gear and i'd hardly be pulling over 1k rpm.

Of course none of these are 600cc Wink

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Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Varies from bike to bike, and mood to mood. As long as it feels alright, it is alright.
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robbieguy2003 · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Karma :

On the 600rr 3rd if its a 'safe' 30, I.e not built up and good vis. On a busy 30 with a few potential hazards then second all the way, emergency braking in higher gears tends to do odder things to the back wheel, plus 2nd feels better and happier although the rr does have quite tall gearing, dont think it'd be the same for the 600f I had.
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Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
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Muscle Bike Rider · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2009 Karma :

On the Divvy usualy in 4th or 3rd depending on my mood, either is fine and bike will pick up quick enough if needed, I usualy sit at between 2.5k & 3k when plodding along.
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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

30mph in 2nd on a 600 Bandit is about 4500rpm. If just bimbling along I wouldn't be using anything like that many revs.

On the other hand if it is a road where the locals have got speed humps put up then 30mph in first might be necessary. They can't be that bothered about the noise they are causing.

All the best

Keith
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