Triumphrat

Scottius

So I know this may have been covered a hundred times already, but the search on this site is very clunky and I've had no luck finding it so here goes and my apologies:

What is the approximate RPM range recommended for each gear and when would you recommend shifting? I ask because this is my first "grunt" bike - my sprint has a good powerband, but really likes it above 6k. So I'm trying to find out what the bonny likes. I don't want to lug the motor (since it's still "new" at just over 1k miles), but I don't want to thrash it either.

Here's my general shift pattern:

First: somewhere between 30-45 (max). 30 if I'm toodling, 45 if I'm stretching her legs (and not often).
Second: I'll shift when I hit 50-60
Third: I'll stay in third to cruise at around 50-55. Fourth if on the freeway.
Fourth: For speeds above 55.
Fifth: Gotta be around 70 to feel comfortable.

Basically not having a tach and not wanting to lug the motor I'm erring on the side of keeping the revs higher. I've read everything from people being in third at 40mph and fifth at 50mph to fifth not being engaged until around when I do.

Can I engage second at around 25mph? When I'm in my neighborhood I'd like to have enough power to dodge small crumb monkeys and not be lugging it. How low can I be going and be in third? Fourth? Fifth?

Essentially if someone can post a "recommended normal speed range for each gear" that'd be fantastic!

Thanks for your patience and the advice!

Nang

Geez mate, you like revs. I'm into fifth at 40 mph if I'm just tooling along. Waiting til 70 sounds like a real thrashing which is fine, but way, way higher in revs than you NEED to go. I've got 20+ years on 4 Bonnies so might not be too far off the mark. Thrash her if you want, but you can rev heaps less too.

Cheers

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Nang
2004 Thruxton

BeastInBlack

These are 800cc parallel twins, they dont need to be revved, even if they can be, especially if they have been tuned a bit like mine.

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Every sunday is mad sunday.......

rodburner

I`m with Nang.

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Ruining a perfectly good Bonnie since 2004.

SCL18

For normal riding i stick to...

1st = 1-15mph
2nd = 15-25mph
3rd = 25-40mph
4th = 40-55mph
5th = 55+mph

Not sure what the rpms are because i have the stock black, but i shift when i hear the motor rapping up.

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2005 Bonni Black; Reverse Cones, Pods, No AI, 145, 42, Thrux Needles, 1.75 Turns Out, Iridium's, EBC Brakes, Speed-Bleeders, and a pile of stock parts.

Scottius

Cool - thanks for the info! Looks like I was never in danger of lugging it :hammer: .

The motor tends to smooth out after the middle range vibrations so thought that's what she wanted. I'll try the lower range shifting (per SCL's posting) and see how she feels. Thing is - she never seemed to complain - just pull harder :-D .

gt1jimi

In an effort to find some RPM limit to adhere to during break in, I decided on 60% of maximum (arbitrary, I know). Assuming a redline of 7500 RPM, this translates to the following approximate maximum speeds: 1st gear - 47 mph, 2nd gear - 66 mph, 3rd gear - 83 mph, 4th gear - 99 mph, 5th gear - 120 mph. As a check, the Cycle World road test of the Scrambler (May 06) listed 3335 RPM at 60 mph in 5th gear. My calculations aren't that far off.

The break in question has been answered by those who have done tear-downs after many miles (just ride it the way you want - it's made very well). In conclusion, let your good sense be your guide, and for those of us who like to spin it up, let the bent valves fall where they may.

Scottius

Rode to work this morning and followed SCL's range. Felt...weird. The only time I felt as if I was lugging was once when I was going about 15mph and was in second and gave it some gas...to me it felt "luggish" so I popped it down and shifted at just above 20 - much better. That said here's my new range for awhile.

1: 0-20
2: 20-30(35)
3: 30(35)-45(50)
4: 45(50)-55(60)
5: Just give me the open road!

I figure I'll just downshift if I need to on hills and whatnot...

So odd coming off a bike thatI could do 50mph in first gear easy!

And gt1 is right - I never felt like I was hurting it despite my previous range. Besides - it's darn near the same motor as a Thrux so it's got more range to the gears for sure! I figure it'll need the carbon blown out every once and awhile too :razz: .

Thanks all again for the help!

Baltobonneville

I'm with Scottius' new range. I go to 5th at about 70mph. I use the tacho, shift around 5000rpm or a bit higher, except lower in 1st and maybe 2nd gears. Generally don't go lower than 4000 in all except the lowest gears.

My bike really likes the 4000-5000rpm range once it's warmed up. 4000 is very smooth.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Unifilter, no snorkel, 120/40/Thrux needle/1 shim/3 turns, fly screen, tacho, D9 gauge panel, center stand, Ikon 7610s, Hagon fork springs, gaiters, Pirelli Sport Demons, 3 seats.