Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: when to shift gears, motorcycle gears, motorcycle performance

Question
i just purchased a used 2005 suzuki boulevard c50 i do not have a tach so i must change gear by speed i do not have the owners manual so i been doing it by ear and feel.1st gear -10 mph,2-20,3-30,4-45-50, 5- top speed i would like to know if this is correct

Answer
Michael - You shouldn't need a tachometer to know when to shift gears, and while your system of keeping an eye on the speed is ok, it doesn't really take into consideration others facts that may affect the performance of the bike's engine.  I would try to pay attention to how the bike feels, and how it sounds.  You should be able to sense when you have reached the capability of the engine at any particular gear.  When it seems as though the engine has pushed just as far as it will go, it's time to shift.  Once you shift, you feel the engine almost "relax."

You'll know when you have shifted into the next gear too soon, if the engine "lurches" or seems "uncomfortable" at the next gear.  Then, all you have to do is downshift.

I would just play around with shifting, until you get a feel for how the engine works.  And, keep in mind that this may change with weather condtions, and different types of roads.  I would recommend that this "practice" take place on roads without major traffic.

You can't really mess up - just downshift until you get back to the right gear.

Ride Safe,
Christine
http://www.her-motorcycle.com