[kwiebe]

Hello again,

Are the shift points listed in the C50/VL800 manual for real? They seem to recommend early shifts...I don't have the manual in front of me, but I think they're something like 10, 19, 25, 30 MPH...

Anyway, I'm not a "thrasher" and I'm in the break-in period, so I understand the effect of high RPM. However, I am also aware of the ill effects of "lugging" an engine, i.e., too-low RPM for the gear selected.

I just wondered if you all wind the RPM's a little more than what the manual says, and what your thoughts are on this (including break-in). Nothing drastic mind you.

Ken

 

[Blvd_C50]

this is directly from the manual
1st -> 2nd = 12mhp 20kmh
2nd -> 3rd = 19mph 30 kmh
3rd -> 4th = 25mph 40 kmh
4th -> top = 31mph 50 kmh

after reading that I find the 4th to top a little hard to swallow. I very rarely shift to 5th gear before 40 mph. So 4th gear would be in the 25 to 35 mph range for me. I would agree with the lugging. too high a gear at low speed and it really starts a knocking noise in the engine.

 

[chapmast]

Shift

I have to agree, I usually shift to 5th around 40. At 30 it does not seem to have enough rpm's going to accelerate smoothly. Although I am still in my break-in period so I am babying the acceleration right now. I have also noticed the jump from 3rd to 4th seems a smaller jump than the other gears.

Stuart

 

[bat4255]

1st to 2nd looks about right but the rest ?

It looks like these may be "Minimum Speed" shift points.

I may be wrong.

During break-in, Varying the rpm is the most important thing. I would rather go a few rpm's higher in short bursts, than lugging the engine.

 

[c50tiger]

I only paid attention to the speed at shift during the break in. Now I just go by 'feel' as I have always done. I will say I probably shift close to those points when riding in town. Out on open roads, 3rd and up are at considerably higher speeds.

 

[tlwisner]

I'll be installing my tachometer this weekend. Why don't they think cruiser riders want tachometers? My stupid Automatic Transmission car has a friggin' tach...

 

[c50tiger]

I like having the tach on my Rodeo, but so far haven't felt a need for it on my C50. Guess it's just another one of those personal choice things.

 

[k3new]

I agree with the shift points being a little low for 4th and 5th. I don't shift into 5th until about 40 or so.

I put over 100 miles on mine today with the nice weather. I am still in the break-in period (325 miles) and have a hard time determining where "1/2 throtle" is. I just try to keep the revs at a reasonable limit. After all, doesn't the engine need to have a little bit of a load put on it?

I have been taking a lot of rural roads, but have had it up to 65 or so on short stretches (5-10 miles) of hi-way.

 

[easyrider]

I purchase my 800 about three weeks ago and rode it 150 miles home. As I was going over the bike at the dealers, the sales person said "Vary the RPM's and don't try and find the red line." It took all my strength to NOT say "Well, I'll do my best to keep an eye on that invisible TAC. Here's your sign." Not to mention that the dealer didn't even have an owners manual for the bike and it was a NEW 2004 with 2 miles on the odometer. I still don't have the owners manual and thanks to this forum I have learned a lot about my Volusia 800.