How many gears on a 81 GS650?

[Anonymous]

Hi, I recently got a 81 GS650, can anyone tell me how many gears there should be? I thought it should be 6, but I can't get it past fifth. If there should be a 6th, any reason why it would be jamming?

thanks for your help!
BCOT.

[Anonymous]

should only be 5. but look on the side of the case by the shifter and it gives a shift pattern there.

[chuckycheese]

I wish..

These bikes should have 6 gears but.....they don't!

[Anonymous]

Sweeeeet.

That's great news!

I was riding home last night and I have an indicator on the handlebars that tell me what gear I am in....when the 5th digit is illuminated, you can barely make it out, but there is a 6 next to it. I guess this has to do with mass production and it probably used on the bigger-than-650cc bikes.

Thanks guys!
AR.

[fastpakr]

For my edification, how many gears on an 82 GS750E? I'm considering buying one as a first bike.

[chuckycheese]

5 gears

The '82 GS750E has 5 gears....however, I think you'll also notice the "6" on your dash, too. (I think they put it there just to irritate me when I'm driving along in 5th gear)

[Hotblack]

It's actually the smaller bikes (550s, 450s, etc.) that have six speeds in them, I'd guess that it's because of a narrower power band, and the six gears makes it easier to stay in the phat part of the band. Nowadays it seems that a six speed is used on all the sporting machinery, and five for the more normal stuff. I for one don't mind a little less shifting on the street.

[Anonymous]

My 400 has 6 :P

[fastpakr]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate the help.

[Anonymous]

Don't feel bad, 6th gear is a waste unless you're running a 400 with NOS. You can't go any faster than 5th gear and I have to wonder if you're saving any gas as you've got the bike wide open in 6th.

Cheers, Steve

[fastpakr]

Interesting, I had actually assumed that the 6 gear bikes actually had a narrower gearset and that 6th wasn't any (or at least not significantly) higher than 5th on the 5 gear units.

[Anonymous]

The gears are narrower but unless you've got a fresh engine you can't take advantage of the extra 1500 RPM you drop by going into 6th.

Steve