Why do riders need a gear indicator?

[..]

Shouldn't a rider know which gear they are in according to rpm and speed?

[scooperhsd]

As SMOOOOTH as these bikes are - I can see the need for a gear indicator. If I don't conciously take it all the way to 5th - I can be cruising very comfortably in 3rd or 4th down the highway. OTOH - I have noticed that 5th gear and 35 MPH or faster makes for  near - automatic experiance...

[..]

As SMOOOOTH as these bikes are - I can see the need for a gear indicator. If I don't conciously take it all the way to 5th - I can be cruising very comfortably in 3rd or 4th down the highway. OTOH - I have noticed that 5th gear and 35 MPH or faster makes for  near - automatic experiance...

But in 3rd or 4th the rpm will accordingly be higher. Shouldn't that information let you know to change gear?

[3fan4life]

As SMOOOOTH as these bikes are - I can see the need for a gear indicator. If I don't conciously take it all the way to 5th - I can be cruising very comfortably in 3rd or 4th down the highway. OTOH - I have noticed that 5th gear and 35 MPH or faster makes for  near - automatic experiance...

But in 3rd or 4th the rpm will accordingly be higher. Shouldn't that information let you know to change gear?

Most of the time I know which gear I'm in.

Once in a Blue moon I will forget to go to 5th gear for a bit until I notice the increased RPM's.

Sometimes in the twisties I won't know for sure if I'm in 3rd or 4th.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Shouldn't a rider know which gear they are in according to rpm and speed?

Yes. And even if you did have a indicator showing which gear you are in, what does it matter ? We should be in tune with the engine and its torque curve.

[..]

As SMOOOOTH as these bikes are - I can see the need for a gear indicator. If I don't conciously take it all the way to 5th - I can be cruising very comfortably in 3rd or 4th down the highway. OTOH - I have noticed that 5th gear and 35 MPH or faster makes for  near - automatic experiance...

But in 3rd or 4th the rpm will accordingly be higher. Shouldn't that information let you know to change gear?

Most of the time I know which gear I'm in.

Once in a Blue moon I will forget to go to 5th gear for a bit until I notice the increased RPM's.

Sometimes in the twisties I won't know for sure if I'm in 3rd or 4th.

If the rpm and speed are what you need would a gear indicator really help?

[..]

Does the rider need to be looking at the gear indicator just before needing to change up / down?

Aren't eyes on the road ahead more important?

Don't we have enough distractions with all the other gubbins taking our eyes from the road ahead?

[Raider]

On my Triumph Tiger, the ratios are so close that it's useful for satisfying my curiosity, but that's about it.

[msb]

After 16 years, I'm pretty much in tune with my bike and can feel and hear what gear I'm in for the most part based on the speed I'm going. I am however, still in search for that elusive 6th gear every now and then 

[scooperhsd]

All I'm saying is that I'm not always "perfect" on knowing exactly what gear I'm in - a visual confirmation is sometimes a good thing. Don't tell me you have never tried to shift into 6th gear on your Valk ?  

Would I look at a gear indicator  all the time ? Probably not - but I also drive manual transmission cars, and with them you can tell by the gear shifter position what gear you're in, as well as speed / RPM relations.

Fortunately, our Valks are very forgiving  about what gear you're in for a given speed - that nice wide powerband makes them very easy to ride. That, coupled with that smoothness, can make them deceiving (in a good way). And while some of you have 10-12 years or more on them - I'm only on my 4th (or maybe 5th ?) year with this bike, and I know darn well I don't ride as much as I did while I was in college on a per year basis.

[cookiedough]

so if it is a vtwinky the engines does not lug and chug and sometimes die on them.   

the best thing I enjoy on 4 and 6 cylinder bikes is the forgiveness of NOT being in the right gear all the time so not needed.    Like most, I have upshifted into the NO 6th gear only to find out I was in top 5th gear already and vice versa being in 4th gear doing 60 mph thinking I was already in 5th gear only to find out looking at the tach it was over 3000 rpms. 

I have been side by side riding with 20K harleys and seeing him having to constantly shift to keep it in the right gear which I would hate to do all that shifting. 

[Rams]

I am however, still in search for that elusive 6th gear every now and then 

Been guilty of this myself.............     Don't really care about a gear indicator but, I would like to know where they hid 6th gear..................     This bike has the torque to pull it off, they should've put it in there.

[RP#62]

You only need a gear indicator with retractable gear.  Its not necessary with fixed gear.

-RP

[Jess from VA]

You only need a gear indicator with retractable gear.  Its not necessary with fixed gear.

-RP

I'm not always sure WHAT gear I'm in, but I'm always sure I'm in the RIGHT gear.

When lugging I shift down, when screaming I shift up (but I still can't find 6th).  

[northernvalk]

After 16 years, I'm pretty much in tune with my bike and can feel and hear what gear I'm in for the most part based on the speed I'm going. I am however, still in search for that elusive 6th gear every now and then 

X2!!!!

[..]

All I'm saying is that I'm not always "perfect" on knowing exactly what gear I'm in - a visual confirmation is sometimes a good thing. Don't tell me you have never tried to shift into 6th gear on your Valk ?  

Would I look at a gear indicator  all the time ? Probably not - but I also drive manual transmission cars, and with them you can tell by the gear shifter position what gear you're in, as well as speed / RPM relations.

Fortunately, our Valks are very forgiving  about what gear you're in for a given speed - that nice wide powerband makes them very easy to ride. That, coupled with that smoothness, can make them deceiving (in a good way). And while some of you have 10-12 years or more on them - I'm only on my 4th (or maybe 5th ?) year with this bike, and I know darn well I don't ride as much as I did while I was in college on a per year basis.

I have tried to engage sixth gear. I put that down to not paying attention.

I do believe that given a 6th gear riders would then want a 7th. 

[..]

You only need a gear indicator with retractable gear.  Its not necessary with fixed gear.

-RP

[baldo]

Yes. And even if you did have a indicator showing which gear you are in, what does it matter ? We should be in tune with the engine and its torque curve.

[baldo]

You only need a gear indicator with retractable gear.  Its not necessary with fixed gear.

-RP

I'm not always sure WHAT gear I'm in, but I'm always sure I'm in the RIGHT gear.

When lugging I shift down, when screaming I shift up (but I still can't find 6th).  

Awkward.....

[Gavin_Sons]

I don't need to know. If I need more power I down shift. 

[Westernbiker]

I ride an F6B now and it is very strong. That 1832 fuel injection engine has lots of go! Way more than any of my Valks. The bike has an "Over Drive' indicator light (OD) that lets you know you are in fifth gear. I find it is very useful. And YES, on a few occasions, I have searched for a taller gear.   

[Savago]

Do you even have to shift a valkyrie?

I thought that downshifting was optional!
:-D

[scooperhsd]

Do you even have to shift a valkyrie?

I thought that downshifting was optional!
:-D

There's gp. and then there is GO !

A valkryie on the edge of  breaking the rear wheel loose is about GO !