Shifting with RPM's

Ridefree · 07-23-2017, 10:47 PM

I haven't spent much time on my Vaq but today I was lucky enough to take my wife out for a nice 5 hr cruise . This bike is not the same as my Nomad when it comes to shifting and maintaining a constant speed . Could someone please tell me what a comfortable rpm is when maintaining a constant speed ?

I try to keep my bike at around 2500 . I found that when I was doing 110km/hr in OD it just seemed to lag a bit ( had to down shift to pass ) . Should I be running at a higher rpm at a constant speed ?

I guess you could say I feel as though the rpm is too high when I'm at 3000 rpm . Or is this the norm ?

Ridefree · 07-24-2017, 08:07 AM

I did some searching and found a few more threads that pretty much answered all my questions . Man , you really have to use the right words to find what you need .

**Top Cat** · 07-24-2017, 08:11 AM

Yeah the search feature on here is not the best

dlars · 07-24-2017, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridefree

I haven't spent much time on my Vaq but today I was lucky enough to take my wife out for a nice 5 hr cruise . This bike is not the same as my Nomad when it comes to shifting and maintaining a constant speed . Could someone please tell me what a comfortable rpm is when maintaining a constant speed ?

I try to keep my bike at around 2500 . I found that when I was doing 110km/hr in OD it just seemed to lag a bit ( had to down shift to pass ) . Should I be running at a higher rpm at a constant speed ?

I guess you could say I feel as though the rpm is too high when I'm at 3000 rpm . Or is this the norm ?

Don't worry about running at 3000 rpm for extended periods. It doesn't hurt a thing, plus you are right in that power band where you twist the throttle and you're gone :-)

warrbucks222 · 07-24-2017, 03:58 PM

6th is for overdrive cruise, 5 also, but allows some accelleration.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Monkeyman · 07-24-2017, 08:10 PM

As others have said, higher RPMs are fine for these Kaws. You're not riding a Harley or Indian. Nothing wrong with winding the bike out. It's as bullet proof a motor as you're going to get. Sixth is an OD.

Ridefree · 07-24-2017, 08:32 PM

Thanks for the help with this .

My 1500 doesn't have a tack and I never had an issue with hearing my rpm's but the Vaq is definitely a different creature . I'll learne to keep the revs up higher .
The OD does lug a tad unless your doing 70 or better . Speed limit around here is 60 mph . I'll keep her in 5th from now on . At 3000 rpm you sure do get more get up and go .

Again , Thanks for the help ! Love this beast

Peg · 07-25-2017, 12:47 AM

Strictly speaking both 5th and 6th are overdriven gears, but I guess 5th is closer to 1.0 than 4th is...

Gear ratios: 4th 1.143 (32/28)
Gear ratios: 5th 0.967 (29/30)
Gear ratios: 6th 0.806 (29/36)

07-23-2017, 10:47 PM	#1
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	Shifting with RPM's I haven't spent much time on my Vaq but today I was lucky enough to take my wife out for a nice 5 hr cruise . This bike is not the same as my Nomad when it comes to shifting and maintaining a constant speed . Could someone please tell me what a comfortable rpm is when maintaining a constant speed ? I try to keep my bike at around 2500 . I found that when I was doing 110km/hr in OD it just seemed to lag a bit ( had to down shift to pass ) . Should I be running at a higher rpm at a constant speed ? I guess you could say I feel as though the rpm is too high when I'm at 3000 rpm . Or is this the norm ? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-24-2017, 08:11 AM	#3
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Yeah the search feature on here is not the best __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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07-24-2017, 03:58 PM	#5
warrbucks222 Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 119	6th is for overdrive cruise, 5 also, but allows some accelleration. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk Login or Register to Remove Ads
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07-24-2017, 08:10 PM	#6
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	As others have said, higher RPMs are fine for these Kaws. You're not riding a Harley or Indian. Nothing wrong with winding the bike out. It's as bullet proof a motor as you're going to get. Sixth is an OD. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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07-25-2017, 12:47 AM	#8
Peg Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Coast, North Island, New Zealand Posts: 1,375	Strictly speaking both 5th and 6th are overdriven gears, but I guess 5th is closer to 1.0 than 4th is... Gear ratios: 4th 1.143 (32/28) Gear ratios: 5th 0.967 (29/30) Gear ratios: 6th 0.806 (29/36) __________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like wrinkles in the duct tape '02 1500 blonde Nomad (Sold) '97 800 burgundy Classic (Sold)
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07-24-2017, 08:07 AM	#2
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	I did some searching and found a few more threads that pretty much answered all my questions . Man , you really have to use the right words to find what you need .
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07-24-2017, 08:32 PM	#7
Ridefree Sr. Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Saskatchewan , Canada Posts: 1,441	Thanks for the help with this . My 1500 doesn't have a tack and I never had an issue with hearing my rpm's but the Vaq is definitely a different creature . I'll learne to keep the revs up higher . The OD does lug a tad unless your doing 70 or better . Speed limit around here is 60 mph . I'll keep her in 5th from now on . At 3000 rpm you sure do get more get up and go . Again , Thanks for the help ! Love this beast
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