Is there a rule of thumb when it comes to shifting? Is it better to be in a lower gear and higher RPM or higher gear lower RPM.
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Question about shifting
- Thread starter oceanluvr30
- Start date
As with everything, it depends on how you are riding. Just cruising on the flat and in no hurry, the higher gear and lower RPM may be OK. But if out on curvy roads, the lower gear with higher rpm works out better.
With me it all comes down to feel. If it "feels" like it is time to shift then shift. Sounds silly but it comes down to being one with the bike (I know, a little to Zen like :lol: ).
Most important thing is being in the right gear for right situation. In town,or when quick acceleration may be required I like lower gears (ie reving a little higher). That way there is always plenty of torque to get out of a situation. Open road or in the country, keeps the revs low (higher gears) to save fuel and smooth out the ride. Easy shifting to 6th gear.
Most important thing is being in the right gear for right situation. In town,or when quick acceleration may be required I like lower gears (ie reving a little higher). That way there is always plenty of torque to get out of a situation. Open road or in the country, keeps the revs low (higher gears) to save fuel and smooth out the ride. Easy shifting to 6th gear.
oceanluvr30 said:
1. Better to be in a lower gear and higher RPM when one desires significantly quicker acceleration from additional throttle input.
2. Better to be in higher gear lower RPM when one desires minimal vibration/engine noise and maximum fuel economy.
Simple. Good question though!
The advice I've read above is generic. I'll add some small block/guzzi specific factors for you to consider.
The idle should never be too low and you should accelerate with revs rather than torque. Plod along in a low rev- high gear and increase gently but don't try and accelerate too quickly.
Why? The bike has a V-twin engine so it has approx 180 deg of power in 720 degrees of rotation. Every 2 revolutions there are 2 power pulses. The more revs for the same acceleration means that each pulse is smaller and the drive train doesn't absorb as much stress. Good cush drive, good clutch technique when changing and smooth throttle help lessen this.
To add to this the friction plate for a small block is out of a 4 cyl Fiat and made of 2 thin metal plates riveted together. There are a number of cush springs to help absorb some of the shock from gear changing but the plate was never designed to be used in a Guzzi twin. It is known to crack and let the springs escape, one by one. These will get chewed up to a certain degree. If you remove the starter you will be able to see tiny sparkly spots where the springs have hit the inside of the housing.
Big blocks have issues with this too but it is wear between the clutch plates and drive hub that is the result and will eventually make clutch function an impossibility as the wear notch stops the plates sliding along the hub splines. Later spline design improves this but doesn't eliminate it.
More revs, means more but smaller pulses over the same time period means less stress and wear on the drive train. The small block u-joint is a single cross affair and is significantly smaller than a big block too so less capable of absorbing shocks.
Small blocks are generally happier about 1000rpm more than a big block Tonti. I keep my V65 happy between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. I'll coast at lower but as I've written, I am careful.
Up to you.
Rod
The idle should never be too low and you should accelerate with revs rather than torque. Plod along in a low rev- high gear and increase gently but don't try and accelerate too quickly.
Why? The bike has a V-twin engine so it has approx 180 deg of power in 720 degrees of rotation. Every 2 revolutions there are 2 power pulses. The more revs for the same acceleration means that each pulse is smaller and the drive train doesn't absorb as much stress. Good cush drive, good clutch technique when changing and smooth throttle help lessen this.
To add to this the friction plate for a small block is out of a 4 cyl Fiat and made of 2 thin metal plates riveted together. There are a number of cush springs to help absorb some of the shock from gear changing but the plate was never designed to be used in a Guzzi twin. It is known to crack and let the springs escape, one by one. These will get chewed up to a certain degree. If you remove the starter you will be able to see tiny sparkly spots where the springs have hit the inside of the housing.
Big blocks have issues with this too but it is wear between the clutch plates and drive hub that is the result and will eventually make clutch function an impossibility as the wear notch stops the plates sliding along the hub splines. Later spline design improves this but doesn't eliminate it.
More revs, means more but smaller pulses over the same time period means less stress and wear on the drive train. The small block u-joint is a single cross affair and is significantly smaller than a big block too so less capable of absorbing shocks.
Small blocks are generally happier about 1000rpm more than a big block Tonti. I keep my V65 happy between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. I'll coast at lower but as I've written, I am careful.
Up to you.
Rod
Thanks guys, so if i digested all the good info, higher revs, lower gear is better....Did i get that right? :lol:
oceanluvr30 said:
Yes.