Think I need to rev bike a bit more....what do you do?

[mattb200]

Ok, I think I need to rev my bike more to access some more of its performance (I know though that its not a SS600:)).

I reckon I'm far too easy on the bike as I rarely see over 8k rpm, especially in the lower gears. Now I'm not scared of the acceleration or anything just don't want to mess up the bike!! Although I keep reading bikes are not like cars and are supposed to be revved.....

So am I missing out?
How much do you rev your SV650?

[sinbad]

Virtually to the redline regularly. It's not going to blow up, just make sure it's got oil in it and enjoy the bike you own, or else what's the point? :)

[Lissa]

We're two-up all the time, so ride it hard all the time, certainly change up well over 8k.

Just check your oil level if you've given it a good spanking.:p

[mattb200]

Sinbad, I think your spot on.
I need to rev it loads more and just enjoy it!

[MiniMac]

Once mine gets to 70deg it goes to 8k, once up to late 80s and upwards its straight to the redline.

I fudging love it.

EDIT: Apart from 1st, at the redline there its super loud so I change up a bit earlier there.

[mattb200]

never been near redline, prob 9k max and even then only a few occasions:rolleyes:
next time i go out going to really give it some:):).

Occasionally i do think about another bike for more power but I reckon theres no point as i don't use all the power this has...

EDIT: was also thinking an aftermarket can might encourage me to rev it a bit more (keep meaning to order a FUEL):)

[dizzyblonde]

I don't rev my bikes more than 7000, never had the need to.
TBH if they revved any more my ears would bleed. Suzy has been up on the redline.........but on an airstrip when Im Indoors had her, and probably not just then.........I treat her with respect!

[Baph]

There's nothing like going for an overtake and hitting the rev-limiter thinking "bugger, got to change up, I'm slowing down!!"

[flymo]

based on my dyno session the other week I wouldnt bother going much over 9500 revs. It might sound good and feel cool but you'll get better acceleration if you change at 9500. Anything over that and the power and torque will be beginning to fade.

Stick between 6K and 9.5K and you'll be pulling as hard as it'll go.

[sinbad]

There's nothing more annoying than going for an overtake and hitting the rev-limiter thinking "bugger, got to change up, I'm slowing down!!"

Corrected for you.

But I agree, it's where the SV engine feels happiest by far. Punching from the mid rev-range round to the redline in 2nd gear is one of the few areas (if we're honest) where the bike feels genuinely very quick, and at higher speeds you have to keep it singing to keep it accelerating at a respectable rate.

[yorkie_chris]

.I treat her with respect!

Respect for a bike is keeping it well oiled and greased and not thrashing it until warm.

They don't actually benefit from being used like a harley engine.

[Wayluya]

I'm still running in........dealer said below 6000 for the first 500 / service........I've been a good boy. mostly :cool:

[G]

I use the whole rev range where necessary.

[fizzwheel]

Stick between 6K and 9.5K and you'll be pulling as hard as it'll go.

Thats pretty much how I used to ride my SV all the time.

[ArtyLady]

There's nothing like going for an overtake and hitting the rev-limiter thinking "bugger, got to change up, I'm slowing down!!"

thats what put me off redlining! :o mind you, my rev counter's not working atm so I just go by "ear". I have found I ride the SV very differently to the bandit though, (lots of rev and lower gears on the bandit) and I much prefer a loud "rumble" to a loud "scream" ;)

[Dangerous Dave]

750 - Over 11,000 but she is not limited the same and has a special engine
650 - Just short of 10,000 as the power starts to tail off any higher.

[Skip]

I used to ride my SV650 between about 6500 and 9500 when "pressing on" as its where all the fun is! I ride the Zed pretty much the same :)

[Steve_God]

Depends what mood I'm in.

Between 3k to 5k if I'm in slow, boring, commute mode, or in wet weather.

Between 6k and 9k if I'm in the right mood, off on one or overtaking! :smt096

[xXBADGERXx]

Well I went to London and back this weekend and found the bike to be very pleasant when leaving service stations and giving her a tweak on the slip road to get her up to speed . I dont go ballistic on her until she`s warmed up and into the 80`s on the temp gauge . And yesterday I found myself shifting gear around the 9k mark and it was quite nice , redlined it once a couple of weeks ago on an overtake by accident and learned to not be such a n0Ob with the bike and use what I have in good time .

[northwind]

I ride the mids of mine all the time... I only tend to use the higher revs on my occasional trackdays or on roads I know really well, or big straight lines, and overtakes. I think this is partly because my bike's pretty strong in the mids- it'll pull from 2000rpm and makes the same power by about 6000rpm as a normal SV does at peak... But also it's just my laziness, and it keeps the options nice and open. I can quite happily ride for half an hour in one gear :D I should probably use the higher revs more than I do though.

[Alpinestarhero]

I have recently found some usefull progress-making power at about 7,000 rpm...so i have been using a little more of post-7000 rpm revs (but no more than 8k, being restricted, everything runs out of puff).

It really depends on your riding; i tend to select the gear to provide the best thottle response and most useable engine braking (so if im caning it, i use the lower gears, but if im just poodling, then i'll keep revs below 5k generally)

Matt

[sv-robo]

Respect for a bike is keeping it well oiled and greased and not thrashing it until warm.

.
+1 then screw the ar$e off it:)
PS
(in saying that,mine is still well cared for..lol.

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah that's what the rev limiters there for :-P

[pixiemonkey]

Dude stop watching the tacho...

If I'm ragging it (which is most of the time) then I will fire through the first 3 gears in what feels like seconds (probably due to being a restricted bike on 100% throttle) then the rest depends on the situation.

Keep your eyes on where your going and not the tacho and you will find you don't care as long as you have the means to get on and off the power as needed.

[xXBADGERXx]

Dude stop watching the tacho...


:laughat:Mmmmmm ... Tacho

[Orpheus]

I'm still running in........dealer said below 6000 for the first 500 / service........I've been a good boy. mostly :cool:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/bnbnbnbnbnbn/DSC00397.jpg


A relieving sight.

[metalmonkey]

I'm sure if this right or wrong I just ride my bike.....

Anyway being in the city in traffic I'm often in low gears and about 5-7k when in traffic, when its clear and roads are empty an no one to see I trash my bike just see how fast it goes in each gear:D

Its amazing how fast you can get up into the city at 6am:D But i keep the gears low also to make noise, my race sounds great so I like to make lots of noise so people hear me and hopefully don't knock me off. Its working so far:D oh okay most of the time. I'm a newbie so this is my experince.

But ride your bike and enjoy it, bikes are meant to be riden. Now thats its warm the bike and rubber warm up quicker, its awesome. Ride safe guys.......

[silversurfer]

dont normally go much beyond 8.5, but only 1600 on the clock and not ridden too often so still sort of running in
keep the dancing around the limiter for the IL4s I say

[ricky_t]

Since mine is restricted, I don't take it above 6/7K as there is not much torque after that, it is a complete flat spots. I have taken the the bike to red a couple of time just for the noise but it is actually a lot slower than short shifting!

[skyline]

Mattb, I'm doing the same as you, in the time I've had my sv I've hardly ever taken it above 7k. :oops: I was thinking my bike's down on power whilst at 70mph ish but after seeing this thread I realise I'm just not wringing the throttle enough! Doh...

Still, it's another lesson learnt...

[mattb200]

Mattb, I'm doing the same as you, in the time I've had my sv I've hardly ever taken it above 7k. :oops: I was thinking my bike's down on power whilst at 70mph ish but after seeing this thread I realise I'm just not wringing the throttle enough! Doh...

Still, it's another lesson learnt...

Last few days been revving to 9k in 3rd gear and :):)!
Whilst there is no "powerband" as such, it does pick up some what between 7-9k rpm and make you smile a bit more.

try it a few times and you will probably be quite surprised...

[Lucas]

Depends what mood I'm in.

Between 3k to 5k if I'm in slow, boring, commute mode, or in wet weather.

Between 6k and 9k if I'm in the right mood, off on one or overtaking! :smt096

+1 :thumright:

[sinbad]

Last few days been revving to 9k in 3rd gear and :):)!
Whilst there is no "powerband" as such, it does pick up some what between 7-9k rpm and make you smile a bit more.

try it a few times and you will probably be quite surprised...

The biggest advantage of letting it rev in a gear is the way it pulls when you go to the next. Let it rev to the best part of 10krpm in 3rd and it will still genuinely pull in 4th. Change up too early and you drop out the fun zone, something you really notice in the higher gears despite the engines grunty nature.

[Stegsie]

So if you are tootling about on a straight road at about 35-40 mph, what gear would you be in?? Would you keep the revs around 4k, or change up?

[Neil63]

Blimey ... I might end up feeling a bit inadequate compared to some here! I commute from Sturminster Newton to Salisbury up the A354 (Dorset Doddlers will probably know stretches of this road) but I rarely need to take it above 7k rpm --- and I get to do Zig Zag Hill whenever I fancy a diversion! The bike has the performance to go past folks when I need to, or I stick behind when I have to. Very rough guide on mine is 6k rpm in top gear on the level gives 80mph.

What's to say ... I love the SV, they do what you want pretty much through the rev range, it seems!

[skyline]

Last few days been revving to 9k in 3rd gear and :smile::smile:!
Whilst there is no "powerband" as such, it does pick up some what between 7-9k rpm and make you smile a bit more.

try it a few times and you will probably be quite surprised...


Yeah I'll definitely give it a go next time I'm on the bike.

I think another part of the lack of speed is my crap gearchanging technique - but that's another thread! :)

[neio79]

i rev mine to about 15K before changing up LOL

[fizzwheel]

Blimey ... I might end up feeling a bit inadequate compared to some here! I commute from Sturminster Newton to Salisbury up the A354 (Dorset Doddlers will probably know stretches of this road) but I rarely need to take it above 7k rpm --- and I get to do Zig Zag Hill whenever I fancy a diversion! The bike has the performance to go past folks when I need to, or I stick behind when I have to.

Thats your commute, you lucky barsteward :cool:

[Neil63]

Thats your commute, you lucky barsteward :cool:

I know, it's tough, Fizz!