sixth gear

[propflux01]

I wonder if it's big brother, the 1100 (Shaft) likes that 'spin'? I just can't seem to get my nerve up to run her that hard for any length of time!

[bwringer]

I wonder if it's big brother, the 1100 (Shaft) likes that 'spin'? I just can't seem to get my nerve up to run her that hard for any length of time!

I guess we could call you names until you work up the nerve...

[propflux01]

Yea, sticks and stones! No, I get kinda freaky when I see my oil temp guage going to 280 on a hot day!

[gearhead13]

I went on a 450 km trip last week, and there is a 110 km/h stretch, kept her at 140km/h + for 100 km or so. 140 is 7k rpm on my tach. Got it up to 180 km/h at times
140km/h is about 90 mph. 180 km/h is 110 mph+
She handled it no problem with hardly a hiccup. I was still looking for another gear tho
Runs like that will clean out the carbon in the chambers for sure
BTW my oil temp gauge was pegged the entire time

[twiggy2cents]

mine has 6 gears

[twiggy2cents]

also there i s a misconception with 6 speed transmissions. Almost always the 6th gear isnt a double overdrive, it is your overdrive. The gears are closer and 6th gear is in the ball park of what 5th gear would be. It makes better use of the engines power

[Steve]

Yeah, but with 6 closely-spaced gears, you "chain" guys can change your sprockets and make it a double overdrive.

Those of us that have (happily) been "shafted" don't have that "luxury".

.

[gearhead13]

For me, I would be all for shafties (no more worn out chain and sprokets), but I dont like the lifting action when you get on it.

[Steve]

Have you ridden a GS shaft, or is all your shaft experience on other bikes?

Suzuki was last into the shaft-drive stuff back in the day, and learned from the experiences of others. There might be some shaft-effect that only the purists might notice, but for the most part, most people would not notice.

I had two 1300 Kaws, one of the first 79s on the streets of Los Angeles, then, years later a full-dressed Voyager. Both of them REALLY jacked the rear when I hit the throttle. I don't notice any of that with my wife's 850L or my son's 850G. Maybe because the 850 is relatively under-powered, maybe because Suzuki got it right, but most of us either don't notice or have adapted quite well.

.

[gearhead13]

One of the shafties I rode was a 80's Kawa 750 and the lifting was disconcerting.

[Steve]

I agree. I could hold the front brake on either of my 13s and let out the clutch a bit, the front woud dive a bit on the forks and the rear would jack up well over an inch, giving it a nice "California rake" effect.

However, the question remains ... have you ridden a GS shaftie for comparison?
I think you would be surprised, if not outright pleased.

.

[gearhead13]

No, I havent rode(ridden?) a GS shaftie. I will put it on my to-do list.

[49er]

No, I havent rode(ridden?) a GS shaftie. I will put it on my to-do list.

Steve's right. You haven't lived until you try a GS Shaftie. No hint of torque jacking on the 850. Some other makes do have a bad reputation for this, but Mr Zuki certainly did his homework to fix that problem.

The Japanese are such good refiners, of anything half decent.

[duaneage]

I rode a Honda Nighthawk 650 (shaft) and it literally rolled to one side from torque steer on the rear. Honda shaft drive back then was terrible.

[Zooks]

grab that thing on the right, twist it, and stop sniveling...


That engine is designed to spin. It likes to spin. It wants to spin. So spin it!

6,000 - 9,000 rpm is the sweet spot.

ditto !!!!