gears used at different speeds

Fairly random, but i'm interested :-

What gear are you normally in at 30mph and 40mph?

I use 4th most of the time (at 30), but 3rd can be more fun and "immediate", not sure what impact it has on fuel economy though?

Your thoughts please.

Rich.

[EDIT - typo on poll itself - should say mph and not mpg - no idea how to "edit" a poll though]

5th or 6th for me. (where was the 6th gear option???)

The bike can handle it, and it saves on fuel. You do need to be a little more alert though as it takes that little longer to get away from danger when you have to drop it down a few clicks.

4th! I use 2nd almost all the time. In 4th does your engine not chug/labour badly as it can only be running around 2500rpm?

EDIT: Baph 6th?? as in top?? We are talking 30 English miles per hour here aren't we?

1st!! I like the noise.

Actually it's 2nd or 3rd to keep the revs at around 5k.

Or I click up the gears to keep the revs at 2k-3k when a copper is near.

Originally Posted by Baph

5th or 6th for me. (where was the 6th gear option???)

You don't want to be 'labouring' the engine too much though. Perhaps 4th-5th for me, well, ocne I get used to the nice growl the can haves anyway (currently it's probably 3rd :P)

Originally Posted by lukemillar

Baph 6th?? as in top?? We are talking 30 English miles per hour here aren't we?

That's correct, 30mph, top. She sits just above idle tick over. Great for mpg! S*ite for acelleration. But then, I've done that on my K6 since it arrived from the stealership, so I figure my engine is used to the low rev tickover.

I think the slowest I've had out of her was somethign liek 23mph in 6th, and I know I got 11mph in 5th this morning.

And yes, when I have the opportunity, I do yank my right wrist, but the less innuendo about that the better.

EDIT: Instigator, it doesn't cough at all really, or at least, not that I've noticed. You've gotta bare in mind that I'm talking flat or downhill, not uphill (even small climbs & I drop down).

[Biker Biggles]

Depends entirely on the circumstances.If I'm just poodling along I'll use a higher gear but if I need to accelerate or might need to I use 2nd or 3rd.Also,the naked bike has lower gearing as standard,so will be happier pulling a taller gear at a given speed.I ride both versions from time to time and the difference is noticeable.

I would be roughly in 3rd, possibly sometimes second, any higher than 3rd would not get you out of trouble if you need some gas and would probably labour the engine

Baph I wouldnt be in 6th unless I was on a motorway doing at least 70 - that surely must labour your engine something chronic

Originally Posted by Baph

EDIT: Instigator, it doesn't cough at all really, or at least, not that I've noticed. You've gotta bare in mind that I'm talking flat or downhill, not uphill (even small climbs & I drop down).

i've had 2 faired sv's and now on an unfaired (all curveys) and they'd all 'chug' at 30mph in 6th. What is it revving at at this point? It tends to chug below maybe 2800rpm.

On the SV I would have been in 2nd/3rd I think, that way I have the power I need if I quickly need it.