over 6000 rpm

I know in the manual it states that driving for long distances over 6000 rpm isn't good but can anyone tell me. Cuz to drive on interstate i would be at 6500 would that be bad or is this just something they tell you. If your not supposed to drive over 6000 why make it redline at 10,000. any info would be great.

 

What bike, a 550? What manual? I regularly cruise at ~6500 or so.

You can run 7K all day long and it won't even break a sweat (assuming it's properly tuned and maintained.)

I ran 80mph for a goodly portion of today's inbound commute; that's well over 6K, bike is fine. If traffic's light, I'll probably be running 80+ for a good portion of the homebound run too. '83 550 Seca.

 

Yeah, it is crazy the gearing on these bikes. But...they are strong engines as Fitz says. NASCAR motors are tuned to run with the most power (on the edge of blowing up) for 3-4 hours straight. They run with pushrods over 9K and cruse at 8500 or so.

If our overhead cam motors, not tuned to blow up, rather for long term reliability, can't run at 7K for hours upon hours with 13% the displacement of those NASCAR motors...I would be pissed.

 

Problem I have with my 650R is when I go past 6k in second gear I hit the speed limit. One of these days I'll take her out on the expressway or to the track and wind her up a bit.

 

I think the manufacturer is just trying to protect themselves had you thinking that it was bad. Scare tactics. Back when i was a kid i sold my 350 honda to a guy that ran it flat out for almost 30 miles redline on that bike was 8500 turned 6200 at 60 mph. As long as the bike is not running lean wont bother it at all cruising at 6500-7000 won't take long at those speeds for parts of you to go numb. If your going to do lots and lots of highway driving get yourself a bigger bike. The best bike i had for highway driving was my v65 honda 3200 rpms at 60

 

WORD OF CAUTION: I just thought about this on my way home, at 80+mph on the freeway, XJ550R "whooshing" dead-smoothly along, over 6K on the clock...

DO NOT RUN YOUR MOTOR AT HIGH RPM FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME IF IT IS NOT 100%!!!

The XJ550 loves revs; you can ride it like a 2-stroke. It will run through second and third gear almost as fast as you can shift; pull redline in fifth almost as quickly (this can get you arrested, do not try it at home) and roll along happily (in sixth of course) at 80 all day.

IF AND ONLY IF it's properly tuned, valves in spec, floats dead nuts on, sync'ed and colortuned to within an inch of it's life, no vacuum leaks or shaky throttle valve seals, steady idle, making nice tan plugs...

If that's not your motor, do NOT run it like I described; you'll be on the right path for a holed piston or two. Yes, it may run freeway speeds, but if you're running a 550 at highway speeds for extended periods of time, it's gotta be right or you'll hurt it. If it's proper, you'll never hurt it.

 

I read this after I posted my comments above, and I have only one thing to say: HORSEFEATHERS!!!

A properly tuned 550 goes completely DEAD smooth above about 4800rpm, at 6000 or 6500 it's like an electric motor because it's getting into its power band. But as I said in my precautionary post above, it has to be in a proper state of tune.

Motors that are made to rev are smoother at higher RPMs than motors that were meant to turn slowly; the XJs are a prime example. Fix the suspension and the seat, and you can ride an XJ all day; as long as it's in tune, the motor won't intrude. Check out RangerG's profile, look how many miles he's pounded onto a 550 and through how many states and provinces. I use mine for one-up touring.

Make sure it's running right, then ride the snot out of it.

 

Hi. Is that in the 'engine break-in' section? My XJ650J owner's manual lists different RPM ranges for various stages during break-in.
Stage 1... (0-100 miles) Avoid operation above 4,000 r/min.
Stage 2... (100-300 miles) Avoid prolonged operation above 5,000 r/min.
Stage 3... (300-600 miles) says "Avoid cruising speeds in excess of 6,000 r/min".
Stage 4... Then after break-in (600 miles & beyond) suggests to 'Avoid engine speeds in excess of 7,000 r/min.' If I cruised at more than 7,000 rmp in 5th gear, that would pretty fast.

 

I read this after I posted my comments above, and I have only one thing to say: HORSEFEATHERS!!!

A properly tuned 550 goes completely DEAD smooth above about 4800rpm, at 6000 or 6500 it's like an electric motor because it's getting into its power band. But as I said in my precautionary post above, it has to be in a proper state of tune.

Motors that are made to rev are smoother at higher RPMs than motors that were meant to turn slowly; the XJs are a prime example. Fix the suspension and the seat, and you can ride an XJ all day; as long as it's in tune, the motor won't intrude. Check out RangerG's profile, look how many miles he's pounded onto a 550 and through how many states and provinces. I use mine for one-up touring.

Make sure it's running right, then ride the snot out of it.[/quot
So your telling me your arms or hands never go numb. You have never had to take you hand off the handlebars and open and close it several times if you tell me no your the first person in the world that i have ever herd of that hasn't. You have never seen objects in your mirrors get fuzzy when running wide open Not saying the bike is vibrating like a Harley at idle but engine harmonics will go right thru the bars. If all these bikes as well as other new bikes had no harmonics why are engines rubber mounted ,why are handlebar risers rubber mounted, and why do they put weights on the end of handlebars they don't need it its just a waste of money you should call the manufacturers and tell them the all are making a mistake. Never said you couldn't go touring on 550 it. If i had the choice of touring on a 550 or touring on a 900 i wouldn't hesitate i would be on the 900 every time. more torque less rpm on the highway and would leave you for dead if the need for speed would arise.

 

I have to say my X likes to Rev too! It loves doing 7500 rpm all day
BUT my hands will go numb IF it's not tuned and dialed in.
Give me 20 miles on it and I will tell you if the mixtures are close to equal (or the color in my hands will tell you)
If one hole is pulling harder than the others, it will buzz like mad.....but when she is dialed in I can't even notice the vibration and before I know it, I'm looking for another gas station (damn tiny tank)

Regardless of how well tuned it is, she will vibrate a lot more around 4K though

The old skidders I used to run with the 2-stroke detroit diesels needed the rpm too...ah, I kind of miss those days They had two usable throttle positions. MASHED to the floor or idling.

 

I run in and out of about a 25 mile stretch between work/home
at 75-80. I see this 700 runnin' pretty smooth at 5200. I can
feel a slight vibration at 76 thru 79mph..? Definitely feels like
the motor vs. drive train. I did take the hiway pegs off when I
got it and really have no way of knowing how long they'd been
on. Double checked all the mounts and all is snug/secure. Don't
know if the pegs bein' on for any period of time had some kind
of adverse effect..? Strange twilight zone from 75 to 80. Any
idea what the vibration is/why? Motor/Tranny are smooth and
strong. (Runs like the striped one..!) Just odd feelin' in that
zone.

*Ck'd>
*Rear wheel for misalign.
*Final drive level.
*Went over motor mounts. (twice)
*Rear shocks set mediumish. (no change)
*Good rubber.
**Foot pegs are funky. (.02)

 

have you
checked synch and fuel/air mixture
check axle bearings front and rear
neck bearings
replace fork oil if it hasnt been done in a while to ensure carrect and even oil levels
Fork air pressure (if the 700 has air assisted forks)

all can cause vibration at specific speeds while running smooth at others

 

[quote="cutlass79500]...So your telling me your arms or hands never go numb. You have never had to take you hand off the handlebars and open and close it several times...[/quote]

NOT on my XJs, ever.

On the Norton, yes; it's how I gauge the quality of the gas. But I've never had the issue on my 550s, ever; and I'm into my fourth season commuting on one. Like I said, properly tuned, they're stone dead smooth above 5K rpm, and not noticeably "buzzy" anywhere in the range.

 

I'm riding to work these days. about 35 miles each way mostly insterstate, some traffic. I'm usually right around 6k or 6.5k rpm for most of the ride. I'll agree with Fitz about the motors smoothing out higher up.

that said I can only take the wind at 80mph+ for so long though. A lot less time than the bike can.

 

This is often a function of your riding position. What may seem "obviously" comfortable buzzing around town on sidestreets, etc., can quite often set you up for some nasty buffeting at freeway speeds.

What I do with every bike I own (that I plan to actually ride) is to "adjust" it to me, sitting on the bike, and in a proper riding position. It usually takes a different handlebar to accomplish this.

Every bike is aerodynamically different, depending on the rider. If you get it right, you can put yourself in the bike's natural aero "calm" zone, even on an unfaired bike. It takes riding the bike in its initial configuration, experimenting with your position until you find the "sweet spot" and then reconfiguring as necessary to achieve the desired result.

It can make a major difference in wind blast. It does for me. (My commute is 58+ miles, one way, slightly less than half is freeway.)

 

I've got a small fairing on it now and that has helped alot.

 

On my 82 XJ650 It will run 5,500 RPMs at 70 MPH. I know this for a fact, I don't think it gets to 7K until I go over 80 MPH but I'd have to go that fast to check it. I often especially when getting on to an interstate will run it out to 6 or 7 K before each shift, and that bike flies! For me I can only take the wind at 75+ for so long before I have to slow down the bike however will run until the tank is empty at these speeds.

In fact this weekend I smoked a HD Deluxe (1100) and a Suzuki Boulevard 900 in quarter mile runs.

 

Personally, I have the aerodynamic characteristics of a brick. No handlebar in the world is going to help me, except, look cool. But I am a brick...

But, I pretty much decided that these bikes weren't meant to go on SoCal freeways going with the flow of traffic. Or, I have lost my nerve to ride on SoCal freeways.

 

I'm not exactly a small fellow either (6'5", 220lbs) but I guess I just got everything right, aero-wise because once I'm out in the country and free of traffic and clear of residential areas, I tend to hum along at about 75. I love 75mph; it just feels right. Maybe it's all those years of riding my Norton; that bike doesn't really like to go under about 70, it gets all fussy and bitchy.

I JUST got off the bike (another issue-free commute, 58 miles) and I was thinking about this very subject and "playing" with it whilst flying up Capac road. If I lean forward about 6" or so, there's an incredible roar from the wind; if I lean back a bit further, maybe 8-10" from my normal position, then I get buffeted.

Speaking of buffeting the current series Dodge RAM pickups have got to have the worst aero characteristics out there. OMG. You gotta be at least a half mile behind one at freeway speed to get away from the MESS in the slipstream.

You notice stuff like that on a mid-size bike with no fairing. And Dee-troit freeways ain't no picnic; we gots GIANT POTHOLES to add to the mix. And no vehicle inspections whatsoever.

 

Haahhhhhaaaahh!
Yes sir..! The wind has been exactly nuts here to boot. I make
three dog legs. First stretch is head on 25+ mph winds, Second
stretch is at 1-2 o'clock and the last stretch is full on right side wrip
ya' to pieces... :roll: Been so many fires out here, We're down
to dirt, (black dirt/sand). By the last stretch it's been gustin' to 40...
Makes for a raggedy ol' ride home sometimes. Today it was 108
and a miserable son of a gun.

 

I do have one issue that will be fixed soon. One of the POs replaced the stock bars with dirt bike bars. I am only 5'6" and I need to sit just about all the way forward to have a bend in my arms. I tend to lean a little forward and hunker down in wind seems to help some...

 

Amen bro..!
Just like an ol' dirt tracker... Just knew you were good people doc! 8)
Yes sir. If this damned ol' wind doesn't settle out, I swear I'm gonna
drop some drag bars on this thing and stay down. Sheez! I'm 5-8
and a smidge and I get acquainted too bro. :lol:

 

I was riding back from work today and realized that the bars do make a big deal. I am thinking I need some Euro bars or maybe dirt bike bars. I am 6'2" and just short of 300. Basically, a lineman. Most folks think I look 250 though.

Where can I see a smattering of bars on our bikes?

 

But like I said very soon I'll be replacing those dirt bike bars for the bars that belong on the bike! I am looking forward to having wider bars that come back more. I am thinking over all I should have a little better control of the bike as well...

 

On my ride in this morning I decided to pay attention to the RPMs at 70 MPH I am turning only 5.500. The speed limit on the highway is part 55 MPH and part 65 MPH. I find I tend to cruse in normal traffic around 4 to 4,500 RPMs.

 

Sounds about the same for me. Except I'm usually around 80mph to not get run over. Which is about 6k in 5th. Then we all stop. Stupid I-95 and people that can't merge.

I'm also about as aerodynamic as an old cab over semi truck. I wear a 58 jacket to get it around my shoulders.

 

The vast majority of my riding these days involves long distance touring. As a rule I usually ride at 110 - 120 kph. (About 70 - 75 mph). 110 puts me at 5500 rpm and 120 is 6000. The bike will, and does, run for days on end at this speed. I'm sure I could run faster but I find that any higher speeds just increases the wind turbulance and just tends to tire me out faster.
I might have to add 1-200 ml of oil on a 4-5000 km trip. The bike just rolled over 70,000 kms (43,500 miles) this year. I'm planning a trip this year west to the mountains, south to Montana and across to the middle of N Dakota and home. Last year was east to Lake Superior, year before was Yellowstone and three years ago I rode to the Black Hills. These are all trips of about 8 - 10 days riding.

I can't vouch for riding long distances at over 6000 rpm but I can say that up to those rpm's, the 550, and I'm sure all the other XJ's, will go farther than most people will care to ride.

Do all the proper maintenance and upkeep on your bike, as we all should, and get out and ride!