[nolavox]

Hi All,



Wondering where everyone is shifting rpm wise on the CX GL 500cc carb motors. I find about 4.5k rpm a good minimum and speed shift regularly at 7.5- 8k. I usually don't use the clutch cept maybe short shifting out of first.





Any opinions on speed shifting, use of clutch, much appreciated.



ThX



Jeff- NOLAvox

 

[bandit]

Hi All,



Wondering where everyone is shifting rpm wise on the CX GL 500cc carb motors. I find about 4.5k rpm a good minimum and speed shift regularly at 7.5- 8k. I usually don't use the clutch cept maybe short shifting out of first.





Any opinions on speed shifting, use of clutch, much appreciated.



ThX



Jeff- NOLAvox

always use the clutch.1st to second 4500.

all the rest around 6000rpm

 

[Blindstitch]

Second that.

Always use the clutch.

5-6000rpms depending on what's on my ass and how fast it's coming.

 

[Gene McCall]

Novolox, I always use the clutch and on the 650 shift out of first around 4500. I tend to run the rpms up more in the higher gears. In my young years I speed shifted more simply because I rode much faster and didn't worry about what I was doing to my transmission. I will admit to speed shifting my ST/hack not too long ago. That was due to my inattention and I had pulled out in front of traffic. That was when I learned that I could do a wheelie on that bike with a 250 lb sidecar attached. Unfortunately, one of our local motor officers was coming the other way and saw the front wheel come up about 6 inches. I work part time at the PD and know all the officers. Now they tease me about my "wild" riding.

Gene

 

[Shep]

Same as above replies I always use the Clutch.



What revs?



Well that depends on my mood and the road/traffic conditions.These bikes have a wonderful power-band when tuned/serviced right.A good test of the engine is to go from 25/30 Mph in 5th up to say 70 Mph and see how they pull.I don't recommend you do this often,just as an engine check.If the acceleration picks up smoothly with increasing power,no missing and good fuel delivery you know you are good-to-go

 

[theRatBiker]

Punching it for an on-ramp I usually shift around 8k. Riding around in the city, I'll stay near the speed limit and match the gear so I'm right around 5k. That way I can slap the throttle open and be in the powerband if I need it.



I always use the clutch.

 

[pwtsvwt]

Until the GL, I've always had chain driven 2, 3, 4, or 6 cylinder inline bikes. I rarely used the clutch for up shifting or down shifting. Although the GL will shift without the clutch, it doesn't seem to like it. I always use the clutch, and have gotten fast enough to come pretty close to clutchless shift times.



At what RPM do I shift? All depends on mood and/or hurry. 3K to 9.7K & anywhere between. Recently I accidentally put it over 10k. It was still pulling strong and I simply wasn't paying attention.

 

[rickbert]

The clutch is there for a reason

 

[marshallf3]

The clutch is there for a reason

Agreed, and I always use it. My shift speeds vary with how fast I want to accelerate, no real set rpm.

 

[Billrod]

I use the clutch most of the time but I feel everyone should learn to shift without the clutch on each machine that they drive. This will be valuable if you break a clutch cable and have to drive home without it. I have had it happen and believe me you will be thankful that you know how your bike responds without the clutch.

I usually shift at around 5000 and not higher than 6000 because I still have the mechanical fan and don't want to explode it. I have an electric fan that I will put in this winter and then will not worry about faster shifting. BillRod

 

[rickbert]

Bill,



How is when you shift at whatever RPM'S going to make a difference in whether the fan explodes or not ??

 

[BikerMike]

I shift at points that are relative to the moment... merging into traffic i might wick it up a bit more than normal just to accelerate faster... in just normal traffic i dont see any point in revvingit past 4500 just so it falls into the next gear w/o lugging the engine... puts less undo stress on the motor and gets better mileage...As far as clutch use, i probably use it less than 1/2 the time. the guy above was right, if u ever break a clutch cable u better know how to do it... and it doesnt cause any more stress on the tranny than clutching, since bikes dont have actual syncros like cars it's just a matter of practicing on the throttle and shift. many years of motocross and drag racing helps a bit too LOL hmmm maybe i should try an air shifter on my 650... I have noticed on the 650 that clutchless shifting is much nicer with a few more rpm's tho... must be the tranny shft speeds or too many engagement dogs who knows Good Riding to all!! Mike

 

[kingston73]

My answers a lot like Sheps, depends on my mood.  I find if I'm not in a hurry I generally tend to shift after 5000, before 6000.  Just seems the most efficient for my riding.  If I'm in a hurry, I bring it up above 7000 before shifting.  Like Rick said, shifting at high revs isn't a bad thing, these bikes are designed to rev up to 9000, I think peak HP isn't until around 7800 or so.  Staying below 6000 is staying below your main power band, but to each his own.

 

[Abes_CW]

My answers a lot like Sheps, depends on my mood.  I find if I'm not in a hurry I generally tend to shift after 5000, before 6000.  Just seems the most efficient for my riding.  If I'm in a hurry, I bring it up above 7000 before shifting.  Like Rick said, shifting at high revs isn't a bad thing, these bikes are designed to rev up to 9000, I think peak HP isn't until around 7800 or so.  Staying below 6000 is staying below your main power band, but to each his own.

Right. Big difference between the 500's and 650's though. The down low torque is so much stronger on the 650, I can shift down at 2500 and still have decent pull up the rev band. The 500 is a dog below 4500 (reminds me of the 90's Honda Vtec engines, with the variable cam lobes that didn't wake up until high rpm)

 

[Billrod]

Rickbert.

With the fan running off the cam shaft I figure that if I shift at 5000 rpm the fan will only be turning at 2500 rpm. I think there will be less of a chance of it coming apart than if it was turning at 4000 or 5000 rpm. I will replace it with an electric fan this winter and I just don't want to tear the thing apart and experiment now as I still want to ride.

 

[Shep]

Rickbert.

With the fan running off the cam shaft I figure that if I shift at 5000 rpm the fan will only be turning at 2500 rpm. I think there will be less of a chance of it coming apart than if it was turning at 4000 or 5000 rpm. I will replace it with an electric fan this winter and I just don't want to tear the thing apart and experiment now as I still want to ride.

Trust me Bill.Once you can get round to converting you will forget about the possibilities of the Fan grenading and taking the Rads out as has happened several times over the years on different forums.It was about 45f/10 Deg C today and my Efan never even came on.Bike runs sweet and very ,"Perky".I'm running my spare CX as my main one so it only got converted a few months ago but I've now got the bike up to the same standard as my main CX as I fitted new valves and guides plus a new H-box and exhausts.



It's an absolute joy to ride now especially with the New grips I have on,



http://cx500forum.com/index.php?/topic/1755-best-grips-everand-cheap/page__pid__23487#entry23487

 

[jasonh]

For me, I always use the clutch. I can do it without if I need to, but I've found I can actually shift faster if I use the clutch than if I don't. Basically just hold a little pressure on the shifter then blip the clutch and it goes right in.



As for what rpms...I'm with a lot of others in that it depends on the mood. Not that I'd know exactly what RPM I'm at anyway, since my tach doesn't read correctly. (reads 4k @ 55mph in 5th...a little off) I also don't like to rev too high since A) my tach is off and I don't know where 8-10k is, and

my carbs need balancing so the motor vibrates like a beast at those revs.

 

[Doward]

Normal traffic:



Somewhere around 3500rpm. The 500 pulls my 235lbs around pretty damn easily, actually.



In a hurry / wanting to get somewhere quick, I'll shift around 7k



Flat out? Bury the tach baby.

 

[Spring Brook Rider]

When a chicken hen is sitting on eggs she's on a clutch. She shifts a lot cuz her ass gets sore.

 

[Reg in Bristol]

I'm in the 'depends' camp.

have rode clutchless at times due to snapped cables which was err.... interesting

and make clutchless changes when it suits me.

I generally change when it 'feels' right and ignore the tacho