Just bought a 2002 Connie and have a stupid question

[extrapc]

OK, I used to have a Honda Shadow and now have a Connie.  I guess my big question is where should I be riding RPM-wise?  I was used to my old bike and shift what seems early on the Connie, as I seem to run out of gears.  If I wait until 4,000 RPM, I seem to flow fine into clicking into 6th about 55-60, otherwise if I shift as I used to on my old bike, about 45 I am out of gears.

Do I just need to learn to shift at 4,000?

I never come close to red lining the bike, should I be holding off shifting even longer?

Just wanting to know where I should be shifting.

Thanks!

[roger dodger]

Shift @ 4k = mild
Shift @ 6k =  fun
Shift @ 8k = wild

JMHO 

[GF-in-CA]

Shift @ 4k = mild
Shift @ 6k =  fun
Shift @ 8k = wild

JMHO 

+1, with the adder that the oil pressure on the C10 starts dropping off under 3k, so in anything above 1st gear, it is best to not let the revs drop below that number, at least not with a large throttle opening.  Have fun!

[medicevans]

Shift @ 4k = mild
Shift @ 6k =  fun
Shift @ 8k = wild

+1, with the adder that the oil pressure on the C10 starts dropping off under 3k, so in anything above 1st gear, it is best to not let the revs drop below that number, at least not with a large throttle opening.  Have fun!

+ 2 on both the above posts.  I came from an 1100 Shadow ACE T and let me tell you, going from a v-twin to an I-4 is a big big change.  Learn to love the revs, because your engine does.  The Conc isn't a twin.  Let it wring out a little bit.  I tell you, I spend a good deal of time now north of 5000-6000 RPM.  It's like going from a pickup truck to an Indy car.  Let the thing run.  As stated, keep the revs above 3k so there is good oil pressure.  I have a manual Chevy Blazer that I shift at 1400 to conserve fuel.  DON'T DO THAT WITH THIS BIKE.  Rev it up a let it sing.  Shift at 4k every time.  Maybe once or twice let it head up to 9k+ and shift high and fast just to see what it feels like. 

[Cholla]

And lugging the engine is hard on the u-joint.
BTW-just because an engine is a v twin doesn't mean they don't like to rev and all the toorque is down low. Know your engine's characteristiscs.
The OP asks a good question!

[nosaint7]

Shift @ 4k = mild
Shift @ 6k =  fun
Shift @ 8k = wild

JMHO 

+2 - Yup - I moved from a Yamaha V-Star to a 2003 Connie about 6 weeks ago.  Have been moving my shift points up a little higher in the revs every week.  Now run to 8k on occasion (when there is enough open space! ).  4k minimum took a bit to get used to as the Star had a 6k redline... 

[DarkKnight]

And lugging the engine is hard on the u-joint.
BTW-just because an engine is a v twin doesn't mean they don't like to rev and all the toorque is down low. Know your engine's characteristiscs.
The OP asks a good question!

u joint? my joint or your joint? what joint we talking about?

[qman]

u joint? my joint or your joint? what joint we talking about?

wouldn't it be "who's joint are we talking about"?
ewe r just such a funny guy!  

[Lodogg2221]

I had the opposite problem with my VTX.  Ran too high before shifting and ran smack into the rev limiter...but man that thing would haul in 1st and 2nd...

Ive only hit the limiter once on the Connie...not quite used to it yet.  Still having visions of my old Z1000, with its higher limiter I guess. 

[gtr1000]

Ive only hit the limiter once on the Connie...

On a C-10? I thought they revved until the valves bounced 

[Daytona_Mike]

On a C-10? I thought they revved until the valves bounced 

Yup, at 9k the power drops off so it would be better to shift no higher than ~9k.  On the low end , I can tool around at 2 to 2.5k but that is with custom cams and 2 minute mod (1052 kit, 4 into one exhaust  and  on and on). Pure stock Connies loose much of their grunt below 4k.

[T Cro ®]

On a C-10? I thought they revved until the valves bounced 

Correct the ZG1000 has no built in electronic rev limiter.....

[Lodogg2221]

Ok, well I hit the point where it stops reving...its very distinct.  Not sure one way or the other, but it sure felt like a limiter....but I suppose lack of all power is about the same thing.
Anyway, its around 9.5K or so.

[ManWorkinghere]

+ 2 on both the above posts.  I came from an 1100 Shadow ACE T and let me tell you, going from a v-twin to an I-4 is a big big change.  Learn to love the revs, because your engine does.  The Conc isn't a twin.  Let it wring out a little bit.  I tell you, I spend a good deal of time now north of 5000-6000 RPM.  It's like going from a pickup truck to an Indy car.  Let the thing run.  As stated, keep the revs above 3k so there is good oil pressure.  I have a manual Chevy Blazer that I shift at 1400 to conserve fuel.  DON'T DO THAT WITH THIS BIKE.  Rev it up a let it sing.  Shift at 4k every time.  Maybe once or twice let it head up to 9k+ and shift high and fast just to see what it feels like.

I just had the exhaust valves replaced during a recent valve job and now the bike idles real smooth down around 1200-1500.  New to this feeling after owning a 2001 Connie for just a second year.  What is the downside of running at lower revs?  I am riding around 3700-4000 maybe at 65-70 on the freeway for most of my driving.

I will have to try high revving and shifting in some safe place to see what that feels like sometime.

[nosaint7]

+1, with the adder that the oil pressure on the C10 starts dropping off under 3k, so in anything above 1st gear, it is best to not let the revs drop below that number, at least not with a large throttle opening.  Have fun!

Constant 3700-4000 revs on freeway - no problem with oil pressure (see above).  If you want/need RAPID accel, then you may want to downshift one or two gears.  For me, one gear down for extra "oomph" is usually enough on the freeway.   

[voileauciel]

On a C-10? I thought they revved until the valves bounced 

I came close to this on the third day I had this bike. Went to downshift to merge onto a highway and accidentally went into 1st! Tach went straight to 10.5k and made a BOING sound. I had snapped the clutch back in so it didn't pass the redline, but whew that scared the heck outta me!

Done 32k since, no issues, and I've been very careful about downshifting ever since!

[txfatboy]

Keep in mind, all these replys refer to a "stock" Concours. Talk to SISF (Steve)  and its a whole different story....... 
Oh, yeah, Rev or Jim B. might be able to help as well......

[medicevans]

I came close to this on the third day I had this bike. Went to downshift to merge onto a highway and accidentally went into 1st! Tach went straight to 10.5k and made a BOING sound. I had snapped the clutch back in so it didn't pass the redline, but whew that scared the heck outta me!

Done 32k since, no issues, and I've been very careful about downshifting ever since!

At least the Conc has a factory slipper clutch! That could have been bad!

[voileauciel]

Yes indeed! Every time I ride a bike that doesn't have one, I take extra precaution when downshifting.

Should be fun once I buy the KLR, going from the Connie to that and back again, haha!