What speed ranges should I shift on my motorcycle?

Question

I just bought an '03 Buell Blast - I've never ridden a motorcycle before (I've a friend giving me informal lessons - yesterday we covered starting and wide steering). Just got out in my apartment complex's driveway and did laps, staying under 20mph, concentrating on steering and starting.

However, I'm still new to listening to a motorcycle's engine (and my Buell doesn't have a tach, just a speedo), and would like to know a general 'speed range' guide for each of the gears (I'll start trying to shift from 1st to 2nd next time I'm with my friend).

Answer 1

you will hear it as the RPM's rev up.

I will have to agree with the posts from frbrock and budda. I too took the riders edge course 7 years ago, and have ridden over 25K.

Lessons that I have learned:

If your rear tire starts to break loose on the pavement, roll on throttle. ( the rear is spinning too SLOW and this is causing it to loose traction).

White pavement markings are slick when wet with rain or dew.

When braking on gravel use the rear brake, not the front brake, unless you want to do a little body building by picking your bike up.

Gophers are suicidal, this is because they have a magnetic attraction to your front tire.

and buzzards take off very, very, VERY slowly.

Answer 2

It varies bike to bike and what you're doing. When getting up to speed on my Drifter 1-2 upshift was at 30mph+ and 2-3 at 50-60. At 50, I can also cruise in 5th.

I'll have to relearn now that I am switching to a Goldwing. You will know if you were high enough because when you get to the next gear you will be in it's power band. Most people tend to upshift too soon, and have sluggish acceleration right after the shift.

Since you mentioned just starting out, I strongly recommend taking either the Harley Riders Edge class, or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginners course.
In states where they were mandatory for licenses the accident and death rates for riders with less than 1 year of experience dropped by 50%.

Answer 3

rideing easy
1 -0 to 15
2- 15 to30
3-30to50
4-50tospeed limit
and 5-cruising at limit

rideing harder
1-0 to 35
2 25 to 50
3 40 to 70
4 55 to up and up

Answer 4

Well, it varys from bike to vike, just like from car to car. Does you bike have a owners manual? It should give you an idea. My husband who has a bike says : shift at about 12 miles an hour and then you can get a feel for that bike and change it as needed. From 2nd to 3rd at about 19mph

Answer 5

genuine velocity in 1st kit in a GSX-R is possibly around eighty mph plus or minus? something below that is going to be positive! i will cruise on the line in 2d and pull power wheelies when I bypass human beings, or i will merely roll alongside in 6th and consume up the miles. in case you shift interior some thousand RPM of redline, you will continuously be risk-free from an engine viewpoint. there is not any trouble-free answer on your question.

Answer 6

I can hear it.Theres no way to describe it. Have you ever driven a stick (in a car)? Same thing, you can hear it winding out. Just dont let it wind out too much!lol

Answer 7

There is no "set speed" for changing gears.

It's a learning and experience thing.

Answer 8

RTFM