What is the gear/speed does everyone shift at??

[FitZ6R]

Maybe I'm weird, but I usually don't know exactly what gear it's in. I just up/downshift as needed to keep the engine near the middle of its powerband.

[99vengeur]

Originally Posted by bjpinub

Since this thread is focusing on shifting, I was wondering if it is normal for the shifting to be rough during the break-in period? I am currently at 19 of 600 mile break-in period. When I shift, it seems a little choppy/jumpy. When I shift and let out the clutch, there doesn't seem to be an area of it slowly shifting into gear, that is, as I release the clutch, the bike seems to sort of jump into gear. Is this normal, or is it just the novice rider?

The jumpiness you are experiencing means that you are not rev matching. In other words, the engine speed (rpm's) is different than the speed your bike is traveling. Next time you are riding, try to not completely close the throttle when you shift. Just roll off slightly to keep the engine revs up, then when you upshift it should be smoother. When you get really good at it, you won't have to roll off the throttle at all.

[FitZ6R]

Originally Posted by bjpinub

When I shift and let out the clutch, there doesn't seem to be an area of it slowly shifting into gear, that is, as I release the clutch, the bike seems to sort of jump into gear. Is this normal, or is it just the novice rider?

First, check the clutch lever adjustment. Second, things will break in and smooth out considerably over the first few hundred miles, and you'll see further improvement after the first oil change.

Not sure I quite follow you on "as I release the clutch, the bike seems to sort of jump into gear." The transmission should be in fully in gear before you release the clutch. If it sounds/feels like the gear change isn't complete until you release the clutch, you probably need to use a firmer foot on the shifter. Shifts should be quick and decisive. Squeeze - kick - release in less than a second.

On the other hand, if you're saying that the bike feels jerky when you release the clutch, that's a matter of rev matching, and it gets a lot easier with practice. It's actually possible to shift without clutching at all, just by modulating the throttle. I'm not recommending that, but the point is that once you get the hang of rev matching, the clutch action becomes largely a non-issue. The only time you need to be "easing" out the clutch is starting from standstill.

[JonKerr]

One other thing for people to keep in mind when they're complaining about shifting not being smooth, this is a 470lb motorcycle with a manual transmission. Not a 4000lb car with an automatic that you can't even feel shift. Motorcycles don't shift as smoothly as a car. Plain and simple. Especially if you're a new rider, things don't feel the same on a bike as they do in a car. I've ridden my dad's Harley Fat Boy, one of the smoothest transmissions you'll ever feel on a bike, and it still feels rougher than any car I've driven, manual or automatic. One of the first times I took my wife on the back of my bike she asked me why I shifted so roughly. And I'm very smooth with my shifts. She just is used to riding in a car.

[MikeN02]

Pretty odd as when I was in my break-in period I asked my dealer mechanic who was going over the stuff with me what RPMs do I keep out of.

He said I don't have a limit, just don't keep in the same RPMs. Also keep shifting to work in the gears and don't ride the freeway, meaning I need to let the bike stop at lights and take off etc to work everything in.

[joloy133]

Originally Posted by MikeN02

Pretty odd as when I was in my break-in period I asked my dealer mechanic who was going over the stuff with me what RPMs do I keep out of.

He said I don't have a limit, just don't keep in the same RPMs. Also keep shifting to work in the gears and don't ride the freeway, meaning I need to let the bike stop at lights and take off etc to work everything in.

This is the right advise, (ceramic rings seat differently)!

[JonKerr]

You do want to vary the RPM range a lot and shift a lot when you're breaking in. You'll do that by staying in the 3-5k range. If you hit 7k once in a while during break in you'll be fine. Just don't do it too often and don't do it for more than a second or so. You just want to make sure you've seated everything before you start winding the engine up too much.