Exceed Redline ?

[AJ]

Amusing side note.... The first time I wound my Busa out in first gear, it suddenly lost massive power and I was sure I had just bent a valve. What I had done was hit the rev limiter which kills the ignition momentarily.

Scared the crap out of me. Of course, hitting the rev limiter in first gear at 90+ mph with the front wheel off the ground should be enough to scare the crap out of most people. LOL

[subforry]

Valve float

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_float

What is happening is that the cam is opening the valve before it has closed from the last cycle.

This is what usually happens in old engine with chain driven overhead cams. Push rod engines can bend or throw rods.
On new engines with EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection) the CPU will turn off the fuel injectors until the RPMs drop (rev limiter).

[Spyder]

I've had my bike on a dyno and the read out indicates a rapid power drop off at just over 8000 any way. So that tells me that it wouldn't be benifitial to run the red line anyway. I shift right around 8500 and it keeps pulling very hard. Downshifting, I blip the throttle to match the lower gear as I let out the clutch. Works well for me... (sounds cool too) lol

[Missile99]

Coming from a strong car-racing background, I'm very well versed in using the "double-clutch" style down-shifting to help smooth out the downshifts. On a motorcycle, however, there are some obvious differences in how this might be done... In my case, when I pull in the clutch to downshift, I give the throttle a solid "blip" to try to match the RPMs of the lower gear. Seems to work well. There isn't the "jarring" that would normally occur if I just crammed it down a gear.

+1 This is how I always drive and ride. Instinctual after all these years. The truck has a clunky but tough 6-spd Getrag and when double-clutching and rev matching it's seamless. The placement of my right hand took practice on the bike for that quick blip while using the brake steady, but a smooth downshift every time.

The 550 power is great up high, so when trying to haul I begin the shifts at 9000 or so. I have run it past redline a few times because I was focused on the road and the bike was still pulling strong. It sounded more like 8000. A quick glance between shifts told me otherwise. No problems.

[old_skool]

Interesting... I have a Dyna 2000 ignition in my GS1100G and have set the cutout at 9000. I haven't hit it yet because by the time you do you're going too fast for most roads around where I live!

+1
Where are you guys doing this, an airport runway?? 9-10k after the first 2 gears and your flying past everything already looking for a 8point ticket or worse, I like the 5-7k, suits my riding just fine.