What rev's should the SV be rode at?

My K5 seems happiest cruising between 6.5K and 7.5K, this gives me the smoothest ride with nearly no vibration. I usually shift between 8.5K and 9.5K.

Downside is my mileage, only 45-50 mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

Originally Posted by Stu

My Dyno run HP peaked at 10K Torque peaked at 9K - use the info as you wish.

Not all bikes are the same though.

My bike peaked at around 8900 revs power, 7200 revs torque on my last dyno.

On another dyno with different end can, looking at the curve, it was 9-9.5k max power and around 7400 max torque.

I ride round at 4-6k most of the time. I lower or higher the revs depending on my mood, cops, town. other factors. etc

Feel free to discount and ignore me as well as I have done less miles than Baph.

[21QUEST]

Originally Posted by gazman

Hi all,

I was just wondering what sort of rev's the SV650 should be rode at?
I usually ride around 5-6K, but I've recently joint the IAM and one of the things I've been picked up on a few times is, being in too high a gear/not enough rev's. I've tried taking this on board and on the twistys, been riding at 8-9K, but it sounds like the engine is screaming it's tits off and it's gonna blow up any time soon.

Any views/advice appreciated.

Cheers, Gaz

P.S: I've got a SV650 K1

I get what the observer is getting at and has nothing to do with IL4 or V-twins as it's still the same. It all boils down to not enough revs for good drive without labouring for the gear you are in.

I somewhat agree iwth Fizz regards riding how you are comfortable with but to improve, one still has to be prepared to add/modify by taking in sound riding techniques.

Saying that I've seen some places advise a higher gear than usual(in dry)for the wet. For me that is rubbish so I'll ignore stuff like that. In the wet I want drive instantly and rather rely on the right hand. That means I'll normally be in a lower gear(similar revs) than usual for me. Works pretty good for me.


Ben

This worked for me - I used to come into bends around 2/3rds height of my revs using the engine braking over the brakes as it kept the suspension more settled and set me up for the exit - make sure I'm in the right gear before cornering and it would drop down to just below half and then use the meat in the power band to come back out again. Play with your entry to set up the drive for the exit. Still use it on the Tuono but it revs higher than the SV so longer legs to play with.

[squirrel_hunter]

Ok your engine is not going to blow up riding between 8-9K otherwise I would be replacing engines a lot more than I do.

Power and torque drops off at 10-10.5K with a peak at around 9K though you will find that it kicks in around 7.5K. Generally speaking I live between 8-10K for progressive riding.

In relation to the IAM, you should be in a gear with revs appropriate to the conditions. Remember I.P.S.G.A. There can be no hard and fast 'you should be in this gear at these revs' rule.

With the SV 7-9K is a good place to be, you have both the power ready to accelerate while using good drive and the added engine braking a V-Twin offers.

But for the best advice talk to your observer, after following you they will be able to give you the ride specific advice better than anyone from behind a computer screen. Listen to what they tell you and put it into practice. If you need more ride time then ask for it and as a candidate I'm sure they will take you on their ride outs.

BTW: IAM passed 2003 on a '99 SV650s

with a passenger today i was going into turns at about 5-6k and then rolling on th throttle letting the mid range torque pull it through the turn

My view is to ride in a lower gear and give the bike revs. Then you can use engine breaking to stop with rather than brakes. Also you can twist the throttle for instant go. Riding in too high a gear means no engine braking and the engine will not pick up quick enough if you need it.

[mister c]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Ride how you feel comfortable riding, would be my advice, I reckon you'd be better off concentrating on your road position and corner entry speed that kind of thing than worrying about what revs your bike is running at.

I second that. Nice piece of advice.

[Viney]

What an odd question. Use the gears, and use the engine, its what its there for.

[Ch00]

Have a read of this book if you can. Some of it can be a bit dry or hard going but you show get some good results.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-R...4989627&sr=1-1

The most recent one is blue, I dont know why amazon havent kept up.

Ch00