Triumphrat

TBird98 · 09-16-2007

I've been learning to ride on the tbird and hearing various guidelines regarding shifting. For example, shift up at 10, 25, 45 and 55 mph and down at 50, 35, 20 and 5 mph. On the one hand, I hear "rpms are your friends" but if I shift as above the rpms stay pretty low with lots of room to increase. On the other hand, sometimes I'll be going 45 and it feels like I should be shifting into 5th. Any bike-specific advice, or is it just a question of experience and preference?

WoodsieIII · 09-17-2007

Depends............on a lot of things, my mood, traffic conditions, weather. If its wet I short shift, less chance of wheelspin in higher gears. If I'm rushing to get home from work and the gaps arent happening I tend to hold the gears longer, makes more noise and alerts cars of my presence. If I'm fanging in the twisties I'll hold one gear and just use the torque of the engine.

You'll get the hang of it.

vonbonds · 09-17-2007

Woodsie is right, it all depends on your riding mood at the time. My only suggestion for a new rider is to not lug the motor. I think for casual riding you might up shift between 3500-4000 RPMs....really up to you as to when you want to shift.

Gdsila · 09-17-2007

I seem to remember these engines make max torque at 4750 RPM.
If you shift at that RPM and cruise in whatever gear at that RPM you'll get the quickest throttle response (should you need it) when overtaking,ect.
Cold wet roads are of course a different story...but dont be afraid to spin it up. (as high as it will go if you want)

TBird98 · 09-18-2007

Thanks for the tips

Afterburner · 09-18-2007

Agree with Woodsie. Shifting is a state-dependant thing. There is no hard and fast rule. I still snicker at the "shift up" caution light in my Saab. Only the USA Saab's get this light. Like we don't know how to shift over here because we discovered the automatic transmission for our minivans. For shifting, let power desired guide you, as well as engine braking desired. That's why Woodsie holds a gear through the twisties, so he has both power available (higher RPMs...4000 & above) as well as engine braking available so he doesn't have to ride his brakes going into turns. That's sport riding and you'll want higher rev's for that. Now, when you're simply cruising and want to save fuel, lower RPM's are what you want. Higher RPM = more power, Lower RPM = better fuel economy. The only way this will all make sense is if you get out there and log some miles. Learning has never been so fun!

WoodsieIII · 09-18-2007

Yeah I forgot to add: Ride, lots and far. As someone pointed out dont labour the engine, wring its neck, they love it these bikes. I have flogged mine mercilessly since day one.

highcard · 09-18-2007

Last summer when the bike was still new to me, I was "babying" it. Keeping RPM's in the 3000-3800 range. Got great gas mileage and it ran OK.

This summer, I've been running in the 4500-5000 RPM range and I enjoy it ALOT more. Unfortunately, gas mileage really has suffered, but I guess that's the price you pay for fun.

WoodsieIII · 09-19-2007

As cheap as gas is in the US I reckon I wouldnt be real worried about economy. I run mine close to the redline a lot of the time.

Wombat · 09-19-2007

On the point of changing gears, when I rode the Ural (a 4 speed), I was always looking for extra gears, but when I got on the TBS (6 speed), I would often find myself screaming along in 4th or 5th.