How often do you use 6th gear?

ally99 · August 13th, 2010, 04:44 PM

Hey all!
I have found that I prefer power to good gas mileage, so I've noticed I always tend to have my Lil' Ninj in a lower gear than I probably should. I rarely use 6th unless I'm going around 75MPH. I don't ride my Ninja 650 that way. I enjoy the higher gears as its pulling power is throughout the midrange of its RPMs rather than the upper range. Anyway, I was just wondering how often you guys use 6th. At what speed do you tend to upshift to 6th in regular, everyday riding?
Have a great weekend everyone!

GeneJunkie · August 13th, 2010, 04:48 PM

I use 6th all the time... usually 50mph+ ...only because Ryan yells at me when I don't shift up that high, something about better gas mileage and I'm not as noisy, stupid TBR exhaust. The local roads here have speed limits of 45-55 mph.

Flashmonkey · August 13th, 2010, 05:07 PM

My 250 had a full muzzy pipe so I used 6th gear as often as possible to keep the freakin' noise down.

RedCromwell · August 13th, 2010, 05:25 PM

6th when doing 50mph or more or like others have already mentioned to lower the RPMs...

00NissanNinja · August 13th, 2010, 06:17 PM

I use it every time I ride. Mostly at above 45mph when I know I'm just going to be cruising at a set speed.

bob706 · August 13th, 2010, 06:52 PM

I use 6th all the time. Sometimes I even try and use 7th gear

Canox · August 13th, 2010, 07:01 PM

Like...never, only on the highway
I live in the city I rarely shift past 3rd gear

Talonne · August 13th, 2010, 07:06 PM

Above 80 km/h (50 m/h)

utahninja · August 13th, 2010, 07:11 PM

I shift to 6th at about 45 to 50 mph. Then I try for 7th sometimes at about 60 mph

ninjabrewer · August 13th, 2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob706

I use 6th all the time. Sometimes I even try and use 7th gear

GeneJunkie · August 13th, 2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utahninja

I shift to 6th at about 45 to 50 mph. Then I try for 7th sometimes at about 60 mph

Oh gawd I do that all the time.

alex.s · August 13th, 2010, 10:10 PM

I used it on your mother last night...

ricochet08 · August 13th, 2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob706

I use 6th all the time. Sometimes I even try and use 7th gear

+1

ally99 · August 14th, 2010, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

I used it on your mother last night...

Ha! You wish! :-)

Thanks all. I really don't like the feel of 6th going 50MPH or so. It just bogs too quickly and I have no accelerating power. As we all know, bikes are much more dangerous than cages, particularly when faced with a potential problem. One benefit a bike has over a car is to able to accelerate out of potential problems (ie: to get out of someone's blind spot quickly if you think they're about to come over, to get someone off your a$$, to get yourself quickly into someone's line of vision, etc). If I'm in 6th at 50MPH, I've taken away that small advantage I had over all the cages around me.
Anyway, when just cruising down a low-traffic highway, I tend to be in 6th at around 60MPH, but for most riding, I stay away from 6th until I'm going at least 75mph. I know, bad on gas mileage, yadda, yadda. I hear that from hubby all the time. lol!

mrlmd · August 14th, 2010, 06:16 AM

You can always downshift into a lower gear to get that extra burst of power you may feel you need.
What about the extra wear and tear on your engine by revving it higher than needed for longer than necessary, as well as the lower gas mileage? It may cost you more in the long run than you realize.

patw · August 14th, 2010, 07:33 AM

Almost never, same with 5th. I spend the majority of my time in 3rd or 4th, and only use 5th/6th on the highways. The majority of my riding is in 80km/hr (50mph) zones, and I'm always in the upper end of the power band (10-12k).

Every demo bike I was on this year was treated the same way, and every single bike felt "right" when it's wound out, not just small displacement engines. It's feels great having 90-100% of the torque of the bike within a few cm of twist.

CC Cowboy · August 14th, 2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ally99

Hey all!
I have found that I prefer power to good gas mileage, so I've noticed I always tend to have my Lil' Ninj in a lower gear than I probably should. Have a great weekend everyone!

First, it's "hey yall"!
Second, watch out for that power. I'd hate to see you get hurt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

I used it on your mother last night...

I'm still laughing!

shadowskater · August 14th, 2010, 02:36 PM

I am always looking for 7th gear

Reswob · August 14th, 2010, 04:39 PM

Always. I rev the piss out of it off the line and redline the first couple shifts to get up to cruising speed, then shift up to 6th to make up for all the gas I just burned.

CZroe · August 14th, 2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reswob

Always. I rev the piss out of it off the line and redline the first couple shifts to get up to cruising speed, then shift up to 6th to make up for all the gas I just burned.

This! Especially after the sprockets I changed out (15:41).

Dano · August 14th, 2010, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricochet08

+1

I also try and use 7th gear alot and sometimes even 8th.

Yoda · August 14th, 2010, 07:44 PM

Every day, usually hitting 6th gear around 50-55 and then I putter along at 65-70 for my 15 mile commute.

Ninja_Moose · August 14th, 2010, 08:47 PM

I use it all the time, I am addicted to the gas sipping aspects.

capt_bugaloo · August 15th, 2010, 09:47 AM

Most of my riding is city commuting so I use 3rd or 4th mostly. On the highway I shift up to 6th at about 55 mph / 90 kph.

Apex · August 16th, 2010, 05:55 AM

I always use 6th. I constantly forget what gear I'm in on the highway, and I try for 7th several times on my commute. If I pay attention to what gear I'm in, then I'm ok...but normally I'm watching all the cagers as they sip their coffee, put on their makeup, and chat away on their cell phones (all while driving) too much to pay attention to what gear I'm in.

FrugalNinja250 · August 16th, 2010, 06:20 AM

With the 14t sprocket I was in 6th generally by 45 mph and going for 7th probably 80% of the time. Now that I have the 15t front I'm not shifting out of first in 10 feet and top gear is where it belongs, 60+ mph.

First three tanks on the new front averaged 63mpg with 68.9 being the high.

demp · August 16th, 2010, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob706

I use 6th all the time. Sometimes I even try and use 7th gear

I've done that a few times too!

KJohnson21 · August 16th, 2010, 11:34 AM

Only when I'm riding the bike.

August 13th, 2010, 04:44 PM	#1
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	How often do you use 6th gear? Hey all! I have found that I prefer power to good gas mileage, so I've noticed I always tend to have my Lil' Ninj in a lower gear than I probably should. I rarely use 6th unless I'm going around 75MPH. I don't ride my Ninja 650 that way. I enjoy the higher gears as its pulling power is throughout the midrange of its RPMs rather than the upper range. Anyway, I was just wondering how often you guys use 6th. At what speed do you tend to upshift to 6th in regular, everyday riding? Have a great weekend everyone! __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

August 13th, 2010, 06:17 PM	#5
00NissanNinja I hate driving... Name: S Location: SW Ohio Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 13 Triumph Street Triple R, 09 Ninja 250r (Sold 4/20/12) Posts: A lot.	I use it every time I ride. Mostly at above 45mph when I know I'm just going to be cruising at a set speed. __________________________________________________ 09 ninja 2fiddy SE Driving slow things fast

August 13th, 2010, 07:11 PM	#9
utahninja Ride Smart, Ride Safe Name: Chuck Location: Herriman, UT Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250, 2006 Yamati 150cc Scooter Posts: 71	I shift to 6th at about 45 to 50 mph. Then I try for 7th sometimes at about 60 mph __________________________________________________ Ride Smart! Ride Safe!

August 13th, 2010, 10:10 PM	#12
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	I used it on your mother last night... __________________________________________________

August 14th, 2010, 07:33 AM	#16
patw ninjette.org guru Name: Pat Location: Barrie, Ontario Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 SE Posts: 338	Almost never, same with 5th. I spend the majority of my time in 3rd or 4th, and only use 5th/6th on the highways. The majority of my riding is in 80km/hr (50mph) zones, and I'm always in the upper end of the power band (10-12k). Every demo bike I was on this year was treated the same way, and every single bike felt "right" when it's wound out, not just small displacement engines. It's feels great having 90-100% of the torque of the bike within a few cm of twist. __________________________________________________ 2013 CRF250L 1985 GL1200 Interstate

August 13th, 2010, 04:48 PM	#2
GeneJunkie ninjette.org sage Name: Cindy Location: Wethersfield, CT Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R Posts: 691	I use 6th all the time... usually 50mph+ ...only because Ryan yells at me when I don't shift up that high, something about better gas mileage and I'm not as noisy, stupid TBR exhaust. The local roads here have speed limits of 45-55 mph.

August 13th, 2010, 05:07 PM	#3
Flashmonkey Professional belly dancer Name: James Location: Toronto Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 1992 GSX-R 750 Posts: A lot.	My 250 had a full muzzy pipe so I used 6th gear as often as possible to keep the freakin' noise down.

August 13th, 2010, 05:25 PM	#4
RedCromwell ninjette.org member Name: Alan Location: Delaware, USA Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250 Posts: 221	6th when doing 50mph or more or like others have already mentioned to lower the RPMs...

August 13th, 2010, 06:52 PM	#6
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	I use 6th all the time. Sometimes I even try and use 7th gear

August 13th, 2010, 07:01 PM	#7
Canox ninjette.org newbie Name: AG Location: 204 Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2002 ZZR 250 Posts: 3	Like...never, only on the highway I live in the city I rarely shift past 3rd gear

August 13th, 2010, 07:06 PM	#8
Talonne ninjette.org guru Name: Jessica Location: Calgary, Canada Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Metallic Diablo Black Posts: 298	Above 80 km/h (50 m/h)

August 14th, 2010, 06:16 AM	#15
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	You can always downshift into a lower gear to get that extra burst of power you may feel you need. What about the extra wear and tear on your engine by revving it higher than needed for longer than necessary, as well as the lower gas mileage? It may cost you more in the long run than you realize.

August 14th, 2010, 02:36 PM	#18
shadowskater ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: San Antonio Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R Posts: 70	I am always looking for 7th gear

August 14th, 2010, 04:39 PM	#19
Reswob ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Richmond VA Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Triumph Bonneville Black Posts: 627	Always. I rev the piss out of it off the line and redline the first couple shifts to get up to cruising speed, then shift up to 6th to make up for all the gas I just burned. __________________________________________________ '08 Bonneville Black sold->'08 Ninja 250R \| OES Swingarm Spools \| EBC HH brake pads \| reflector delete \| no-cut brake light modulator \| DIY fender eliminator

August 14th, 2010, 07:44 PM	#22
Yoda ninjette.org member Name: Lee Location: Naugatuck, CT Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 08 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Blue Posts: 150	Every day, usually hitting 6th gear around 50-55 and then I putter along at 65-70 for my 15 mile commute. __________________________________________________ Mmmm when gone down you have look so good you will not.

August 14th, 2010, 08:47 PM	#23
Ninja_Moose ninjette.org member Name: Ben Location: KC Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 93	I use it all the time, I am addicted to the gas sipping aspects.

August 15th, 2010, 09:47 AM	#24
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	Most of my riding is city commuting so I use 3rd or 4th mostly. On the highway I shift up to 6th at about 55 mph / 90 kph. __________________________________________________ '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver)

August 16th, 2010, 05:55 AM	#25
Apex Livin' the Minimoto Life Name: Mark Location: Riding around in TX Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.	I always use 6th. I constantly forget what gear I'm in on the highway, and I try for 7th several times on my commute. If I pay attention to what gear I'm in, then I'm ok...but normally I'm watching all the cagers as they sip their coffee, put on their makeup, and chat away on their cell phones (all while driving) too much to pay attention to what gear I'm in. __________________________________________________ --- My IG Page --- My FB page! --- 2022 Honda Navi && 2018 Z-125 Pro

August 16th, 2010, 06:20 AM	#26
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	With the 14t sprocket I was in 6th generally by 45 mph and going for 7th probably 80% of the time. Now that I have the 15t front I'm not shifting out of first in 10 feet and top gear is where it belongs, 60+ mph. First three tanks on the new front averaged 63mpg with 68.9 being the high.

August 16th, 2010, 11:34 AM	#28
KJohnson21 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ken Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	Only when I'm riding the bike. __________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

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