RPM cutoffs?

[gsfivehundredf]

Hello,
My quick questions is, in normal riding conditions, at what RPMs do you shift gears?
The reason I'm asking is, I have a GS500F which I've had since October and I have a feeling that the bikes is not comfortable with RPMs above 6 or 7 thousand. After I changed the oil, this issue was resolved by about 2000 RPM but still I have a feeling there's too much friction inside the engine. The fastest I ever pushed the bike was 125 km/h at which the bike was working pretty hard and there was a slight vibration although the bike should be capable of 170 km/h or so. The other maybe related issue is that my second gear has a very small range. As soon as I shift from 1st into the second, it only lasts 2 seconds or so get filled ... Is this normal or I should look for some technical issue?
My questions might sound trivial to some of you but since this is my first bike, I can't compare it with anything else. Please share your thoughts.
Thanks,
Remi

[Easy Rider 2]

Originally Posted by gsfivehundredf

I have a feeling that the bikes is not comfortable with RPMs above 6 or 7 thousand.

Well maybe "it" isn't.......but more likely that it is the RIDER who is not comfortable hearing the engine go that fast !!!

So, what's the red line marked on the tach ??
There should be no problem whatsoever going about 70% of that number.

If you had to go more than 7K rpm to obtain 125 KM/HR though something is wrong. My wild guess is about 5,500 rpm; maybe 6.

Having said all that though, most bikes I have ridden seem to make ME most comfortable shifting somewhere around 5K in normal street riding.

And yes, there will be some extra vibration show up at higher speeds, especially above about 130 KPH or so. It's probably normal......probably.

[gsfivehundredf]

Easy Rider 2, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
The red line is 11 kRPM plus/minus 1. My only concern is maintaining the bike in shape and avoiding engine damage ... other than that I'm not too uncomfortable myself.

[The Spaceman]

Your bike has a parallel-twin engine, which is great for economy in operation and purchase, but you can't expect it to rev like the I-4 engines in other sportbikes. Personally the inline 2 is my least favorite configuration in great part due to excessive vibration.

My advice to you is to shift it when it feels like it needs it, and don't try to push it into the upper rev range if it feels like it's damaging the engine. Use this one as your first bike, and then get a 13,000 rpm R-6 for your second bike.

[The_AirHawk]

It's designed to rev that far (if you want to). You won't hurt it - they put the limiter where they did (11-grand) for a REASON.

(because 13-grand might shorten the life of the engine a bit)

[The Spaceman]

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

It's designed to rev that far (if you want to). You won't hurt it - they put the limiter where they did (11-grand) for a REASON.

(because 13-grand might shorten the life of the engine a bit)

And are YOU going to pay the poor man's hospital and reconstructive surgery bills when that piston comes flying through the head at 11,000 RsPM and takes his manly parts off? And are YOU going to console his poor wife while he's recovering? And are YOU going to replace his weekly income from the local Sperm Bank?

I didn't THINK so.

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by The Spaceman

I didn't THINK so.

It'll be alright. Trust in Uncle Osama....

[MOKE1K]

Originally Posted by The_AirHawk

It's designed to rev that far (if you want to). You won't hurt it - they put the limiter where they did (11-grand) for a REASON.

(because 13-grand might shorten the life of the engine a bit)

Absolutely correct!!! Most engines have the capacity to rev way higher but with the general public which include a lot of idiots they have to tone it down to where they know its reliable. Surprised at you Spaceman?

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by MOKE1K

Absolutely correct!!! Most engines have the capacity to rev way higher but with the general public which include a lot of idiots they have to tone it down to where they know its reliable. Surprised at you Spaceman?

He was just cracking-off a joke at my expense. Spaceboy-there knows that an asplodin' engine's not going to happen.....

[sarnali2]

Why back when I was a tad I had a buddy o' mines Har-Davison's 4-5 'spolde on him like a dang granade! no sh*t that little poppers piston come right up t'wixt 'is legs, right over 'is shoulder and landed on Denny's lap who was a-foller'n him on his Pan...seen it w'it me own eyes boy, scare the sh*t out of poor Bill who was still pretty jumpy from the time that kraut 190 blowed the top turret off all around him over Frankfurt...

now go get me another beer boy, it's hotter'n hell out here.....