motorcycle rpm meter
What speed should I be in for different gears on a motorcycle?
I’m new to riding, recently bought a 1994 Suzuki Intruder 800. The bike doesn’t have an RPM meter. My bike has 5 gears. What speed should I be in in first gear, second gear, etc. Also, I don’t really understand downshifting, do I downshift as I drop down in speed or is it okay just to come to a stop and then click down to first.
I’ve learned to ride on my ‘Baby Ninja’ (250cc) It has RPMs, but I don’t pay attention to it; it’s safer to be looking at the road than looking down at the gauges.
The main thing is to LISTEN & shift when you hear the motor working harder. The more you do it, the easier it will be. If there are quiet roads or a large open parking lot nearby I’d suggest getting out & just stopping & starting to hear the bike rev & learn to Hear & Feel when to shift (or downshift).
For stopping & downshifting, I’d say do it as you slow down. Try to keep the gear you’re in matching engine speed. (so if you let off the clutch it won’t jerk.) Besides it’s easier to shift gears when the bike is moving. And really, I guess I learned a lot from my boyfriend, who has been riding since he was 6 (dirt bikes) & now is 41. Since I got my bike & learned to ride I pay more attention to how he rides & he ALWAYS downshifts.
Also, it’s VERY Important to know which gear you’re in. One of the times I fell over on my bike was when I got to a corner & tried to pause & go, but I thought I was in 2nd when I was in 3rd or 4th & didn’t have enough speed & fell over in the middle of a turn. I wasn’t hurt much but I was embarrassed & MAD at myself! I was so mad that I was able to stand up the bike (@ 355lbs) myself!! I learned to always know what gear I was in from that experience. If I had been downshifting AS I SLOWED I’d have been ready to go again.
If you haven’t already I’d suggest taking a MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) course. They’re usually held at community colleges & last a weekend. The teachers are experienced riders & can answer any questions you might have. It was great for me; I learned a lot.
EDIT:
BeachBum—- “Good grief, a newbie on a ninja…please edit with what state you are in, for the well being of the others. Also, it’s been good to know ya.” —-
—-WTH!! Every rider was a newbie once; EVEN YOU! Since the asker said he’s new to riding I can relate. I’ve been riding nearly 4 years now & I have put in about five thousand miles this year; Am I still a newbie? Is it that I’m on a SPORT bike that makes you want to attack me? Or that I’m a WOMAN rider? Or that I Admit to falling over once or twice? I really want to know! I’m NOT a young, testosterone pumped hothead trying to do tricks; I’m a sensible grown woman getting 57.9mpg at my last fill-up (& happy about it, too!)
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