It varies per situation, if you need a lot of power 7,000+ and if your just following traffic between 4-5 like you said. You just have to have the feel for the bike you don't want it to be straining the engine but at the same time, you don't want to overwork/ overrev it if you don't need to.

 

The 2000 model's engine really is sluggish under 4500 - 5000 RPM. Though many times while cruising in town I am around 5500 - 6000 RPM. Your RPM effects several things: The loudness of the bike, the gas mileage, the available torque, the ability to get out of a trouble spot (through acceleration) and several other factors. Remember, the bike doesn't redline until after 14,000 RPM, so you got plenty of RPM room to play with.

I'd say for in town cruising find the balance that works best for you. In town I am never in top gear, usually 3-4 gear is fine. Higher limit roads maybe 5th, I don't hit 6th unless I am on the freeway or a long straightaway with at least a 50 MPH limit. If it's late at night I'll be in a higher gear than normal to keep the engine noise down. So it realy depends on the how/what/why's of riding when picking an RPM that's best.

At 45 MPH I'd say the 5000-5500 range is fine. Downshift a gear and ride there if you think you'll need sudden power.

-Flash

 

Thanks for the replies. What ya'll said is exactly what I thought. It sounds like I am on the right track. Thanks again.

 

i usually stay in 3rd

 

Second, third, fourth and fifth gears just get in the way of my efforts to get from first to sixth as quickly as possible.