Hi Guys ... recently i posted a question about the top speed of my 2008 FXSTC and got some great advice about not changing up into 6th gear to early which is what i was apparently doing .

My Question this time is how does one get a rough idear of Rev range if the bike has no Taco ... there are many many responses from people , which as stated i really do appreciate , stating that you shouldn`t change above or below this rev range or that rev range and so on but as i dont have a Taco i was wondering is there a simple trick i am missing .

Since posting the speed questions a couple of weeks back i have been away down south for the World Super Bikes and since being back it hasnt BLOODY stopped raining , Lol ... Sth East Qld ... Bloody Melbourne didnt have a touch of rain while i was there , at least not where i went  ... so havent had much of a chance to improve my riding style and alter my latter gear changing techniuqe . 

Tim .

I think it is an experience thing, you have to play it by ear

What is it they say about ahhh QLD , rain one day per`fucked storm da next , sunny Sydney has been just as bad of late , gotta say , HD`s don`t mind the rain hey ?
Ya don`t need a tacho man , the rev limiter tells ya when to stop reving it , just ring it`s neck ya can`t hurt it , what top speed has it reached so far ?
Find a long deserted stretch and find out it`s capabilities , when the needle don`t wanna go no more , that`d be it ?
But something tells me ya got probs if ya keep askin about it , something don`t sound right , but should get to $1.90 at least before she starts running outa legs hey ?

Feel and listen to your bike. Itll tell ya when it wants ya change up or down. I think everyone uses as a general rule dont hit 6th till doing over 100kph. Worst thing you can do is bog it down. Sure theyve got good torque but loading the engine too much ain't good for it. This is just me, but on highway following someone @ 90k Ill snick it down to 5th to overtake. Gets u in the right rev range for max torque and u get the pleasure of hearing the vtwin winding up! Dont overthink it, just ride so it feels and sounds right. ENJOY.
Hope thats of some help.

Got a tacho but never use it i prefer to use my ears and experiance,dont let it lug as has already been said it wont help the longevity of your engine.

Thanks guys ... i agree that by feel and sound is the way to go ... was just courious as i said due to so many people stating certain rev ranges and what not ... Scotti , while i agree Harley`s wont fall apart or stop if they get wet , i`d rather not spend 5 hours getting her back to her brillent best just for the sake of a uncomfortable ride , Lol ... i`ve been riding for 33 plus years and i`ve paid my dues when it comes to wet weather riding ... it`s all about enjoying the experience for me these days ... but you are right me thinks there does seem to be something wrong if i`m asking all the time .

Some good sussgestions from previous people was to get it checked out by a reputable workshop which i intend to do , it was just that i have been away for a short while and as stated with all this LOVELY Qld weather i havent been able to do much ... PeteBob what you said is what most others have said and that i have to change my gear changing pattens which again is what i will do when i get back out on the black stuff ... maybe there is something to this whole climate change after all ... and no i dont want to get into a debate anout that thank you very much , Lol .

I surspose i have just been bored not being able to ride the new pride and joy and have been taking my frustrations out on the keyboard , Lol ... it`s all good guys , if any thing searious comes up i`ll let you all know ... thanks for letting me vent .

Stay upright and safe ... Tim .

oops,,,,,,,,,,,,part # BA-7570-01

cheers.

Thanks Jimmy , i`ll look into that one ... cheers .

rev it until you feel the power dropping away then change gears, dont be a pussy and baby that bike around, you'll do more damage than good, oh an it also has a rev limiter which will stop you from over reving. You'll work it out..... dont be scared to twist that trottle.

T1

What fuel are you using in it Tim , i only use the 98 , unless it`s unavailable , though it seems to run ok on all but seem to get less mileage outa the 95 and even less out outa 91 , but rarely use it ?

Mate I have ridden the same bike for 20 years and I still struggle to pick redline. Normally it starts bouncing off the rev limiter which tells mr it's time to change up...lol

I did have a logger fitted for 4 months and was very surprised at how I perceived my RPM. What I thought was close to redline was only 5000 rpm...someways and on others it was 4500.

Just ride the bike and you will develop a natural feel for the rpm range. Your do need to wind it out once in a while though just to keep your ear in for it otherwise you get stuck in a low rpm rut!

Gidday again guys ... Scottie i only run the expensive stuff , Lol , unless caught out somewhere but it certainly seems that i have been worrying about nothing... as stated earlier i have been in the bad habit of changing up way to early but i am changing that habit now that i have all you good folk telling me what i wuzzy i have been for babying the new beast , Lol .

One interesting thing i noticed today was how Grey boardering on off White the valve stems were when i put my new pipes on today ... Freedom Shorty`s , along with my new S & S Stealth Air Filter ... i`ve also installed some Xied cables as they are surpossed to take the Air / Fuel Ratio from the standard 14.6 to 1 to 13.9 to 1 and possibly even 13.7 to 1 which of course will richen up the motor and cool down the Exhaust which of course will cool down the motor in the process .

It was stock standard Factory Air fillter and pipes ... so it goes to show how much the Factory lean their bikes out to meet their strict emmissions over there... i`ll let you know how much better she runs once it stops Bloody raining up here .

Tim .

My exhaust ports are white! It's normal.... If its black, then you have a problem.

Changed pipes ... Air fillter ... and installed Xied cables ... and proberbly most importantly changed my gear changing habits and guess what ... she pulls like a train , YE HA .


Not sure i would want my exhaust ports running white , usally means running way to lean with possible valve burn out but i agree i would prefer to have them on the leaner side as oppossed to being Black .


Thanks guys for all the advice.

Tim .