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« on: December 04, 2017, 06:04:14 PM » |
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Shouldn't a rider know which gear they are in according to rpm and speed?
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scooperhsd
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« Reply #1 on: December 04, 2017, 06:19:45 PM » |
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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...
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« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2017, 06:22:50 PM » |
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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? |
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6997
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2017, 06:43:15 PM » |
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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. |
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2017, 06:49:53 PM » |
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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. |
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« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2017, 06:50:28 PM » |
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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? |
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« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2017, 06:53:05 PM » |
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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?
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Raider
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« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2017, 07:18:02 PM » |
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On my Triumph Tiger, the ratios are so close that it's useful for satisfying my curiosity, but that's about it.
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msb
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« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2017, 07:41:01 PM » |
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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  |
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Mike
'99 Red & Black IS
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scooperhsd
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« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2017, 07:46:30 PM » |
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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. |
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« Last Edit: December 04, 2017, 07:55:43 PM by scooperhsd »
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cookiedough
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« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2017, 09:14:17 PM » |
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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. |
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16703
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #11 on: December 05, 2017, 03:16:41 AM » |
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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. |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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RP#62
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« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2017, 03:35:29 AM » |
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You only need a gear indicator with retractable gear. Its not necessary with fixed gear.
-RP
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #13 on: December 05, 2017, 03:36:02 AM » |
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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). |
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« Last Edit: December 05, 2017, 03:44:58 AM by Jess from VA »
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northernvalk
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« Reply #14 on: December 05, 2017, 04:38:52 AM » |
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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!!!! |
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« Reply #15 on: December 05, 2017, 04:42:41 AM » |
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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. |
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« Reply #16 on: December 05, 2017, 04:43:07 AM » |
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You only need a gear indicator with retractable gear. Its not necessary with fixed gear.
-RP
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baldo
Member
Posts: 6961
Youbetcha
Cape Cod, MA
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« Reply #18 on: December 05, 2017, 04:47:59 AM » |
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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..... |
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Gavin_Sons
Member
Posts: 7109
VRCC# 32796
columbus indiana
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« Reply #19 on: December 05, 2017, 07:22:57 AM » |
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I don't need to know. If I need more power I down shift.  |
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Westernbiker
Member
Posts: 1464
1st Place Street Kings National Cruiser Class
Phoenix
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« Reply #20 on: December 05, 2017, 08:14:37 AM » |
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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. |
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![](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/miniStates/language/www/US/AZ/Phoenix.gif") May the Lord always ride two up with you! |
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Savago
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« Reply #21 on: December 05, 2017, 12:24:23 PM » |
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Do you even have to shift a valkyrie?
I thought that downshifting was optional!
:-D
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scooperhsd
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« Reply #22 on: December 05, 2017, 12:40:00 PM » |
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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 ! |
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