driving like grandma?

ive been cruising very easy on the xj700n and always shifting between 3k-4k rpm feeling good zippiness. am i driving like grandma?

 

Yes. But Grandma is a safe driver, so it's OK.
If you find yourself wanting to have a bit of fun, wind it up above 6k and see what happens.

 

Except for first to second, I never shift BELOW about 7K even when riding conservatively.

 

Yeah what K-moe said . . . but for the love of god make sure you hold on tight!

Report back on how this worked for you and how long it takes the smile to fade off your face.

 

Above 6K and the smiles just get bigger; but hold on!!

 

I'm 58 years old and still love to feel the power these bikes dish out. twist the grip and see what these bikes are... don't forget to take a change of pants on the first ride! Seriously, Do it on a safe open road you will enjoy it.

 

I'm older than you are and I regularly run it to redline cackling madly in my helmet.

 

theres no need to do that if your just crusing along it just makes it sound like you have to rev it out for nothing (like a moped).

 

Wrong.

These are high RPM motors. "Cruising" RPM (per Yamaha) is 5000.

It's not a car. When I ride in traffic, I never let the tach drop below 4K or I grab another gear. With a completely stock airbox and exhaust, it's not obnoxious to other drivers or anything like that either.

Lugging an XJ isn't good for it; these motors like to spin. Shifting at 7K isn't even "snappy" riding; "revving it out" is TEN GRAND.

 

Finding the 'power band' range will change your life!

That said, wielding such power requires wisdom. Obviously winding her up in a residential area is foolish. . . at the same time keeping higher RPM's creates a snappier throttle response that could save your life if an evasive maneuver is required in traffic.

Get out in some open space, and twist that throttle! You will be amazed at how quick you can get over 70 mph.

 

These bikes are amazing the way they come to life above 6000 rpm. Especially with a jet kit installed. Redline approaches rapidly... hold on and have fun!!

 

when i'am in the garage and hear a bike coming down the road, i'll step outside to check it out. i'am 1/4 mile from a stop sign with another 1/4 mile to the next one, flat level road.
one guy gets me every time, sounds like about 7K, better hurry or i'll miss him, he should be a blur. nope waiting, waiting, there he is going about 45. shake my head and smile, back to work

 

the owners manual says the minimum crusing speed is 31mph in 5th gear and for the x it says 25mph in 5th gear. there is plenty of zippiness power shifting at 3-4k rpm and plenty to keep up with traffic. lugging a motor is vibrating and not being able to accelerate I agree the motor is very rev happy but I don't see any point in reving it past 7-8k unless your trying to win a race. (or if your on a maxim x) although ive never ridden a xj550 so maybe you need to rev it out more to keep up? probably cause it has less torque.

 

Japanese fours are designed to be revved, they're happier like that and so am I. It doesn't hurt them in the least

 

When I first started riding my XJ I shifted around 3 to 4 k.
Thought the bike was sluggish.
Then I discovered the power band.
The bike is not sluggish......

Maz

 

It shifts smoother above 5k for me, I may need the clutch below 5k or else it may kick into the next gear but once its at a higher rpm you can shift without the clutch buttery smooth, all the way from 1st to 5th and back down again.
I usually only use the clutch and brakes to stop and start in 1st

 

No disrespect Josh, but you make it sound like revving beyond 4k is as bad as kicking a box of kittens. It's no big deal to wind the mill up. If you think it's zippy in that range, there is so much more in store a little further up the power band. Higher revs won't hurt the engine, and they won't transform you into some homocidal maniac. Redline is redline for a reason.

Discover the magic in your fingers. Kick the kittens.

 

I think I am driving like a Grandma as well
I have yet to let the Genie out of the bottle
I guess since I was trained on a Suzuki 250 I have been
babying my girl
I usually shift around 5000
so if I get this right.. let it hit 6800 and hold on for dear life?
what exactly is the sweetspot for a xj650?

 

I think it'd be more fun to find out for yourself :lol:

 

Why stop there? Go to 8800 and hang on

 

lol not at all pilot i just meant that theres no point to be revving the mill past 4k when your just crusing along to keep up. expecially on an air cooled xj700 since it has plenty of midrange at that rpm and i always have more than enough power to keep up with traffic. me and my dad also agree that if your not on an x and always taking it that high past 6-7k you get used to the bike and it will actually feel slow after awhile because your so used to that power coming in at 6-7k then im not enjoying the ride anymore. personally it makes me feel very paranoid and ruins my ride (and gas mileage) to always be reving it out constantly.

 

And that describes why the XJ is an awesome line of bikes. Yamaha managed to fit two engines into a single engine case. One for relaxed touring, and the other for ticket-inducing shenanigans.

 

exactly. so if your just crusing along around 40mph theres no reason to be in any gear but 5th (unless your getting ready to pass someone) as long as your above 31mph. just because these are "high rpm motors" doesn't mean you have to be doing "high rpm" all the time.

 

No.... but it's so much fun

 

I wouldn't be in 5th at 40MPH. You never know when quick accleleration may be needed to avoid being squished. I usually have it in 4th at that speed.

 

Good point. K-moe

 

yep depending in what situation your in but at 40mph in 5th I get plenty of power to move and if I really have to move quick my power ban is only a couple clicks away not just one.

 

I actually get better mileage at 7K than at 4k.

 

decided to have some fun today
had her up to 75 mph while only in 3rd and it was
still barely at 6000 rpm
I need to stop being reckless
especially since I don't have a drivers
license till Thursday

 

at 75mph in 5th im at exactly 6000 rpm

 

I love 6,200rpm!!!!
I still remember the first time I did it. I said, WOW!!
I did it the other day ridding with some friends crotch rockets and when we got home, they thought my 750 was an 1100.
Chris.

 

No go find a nice open stretch of road and run it to just under redline in 2nd and 3rd. The powerband just starts to get serious at 6K.