Just curious / What speed for 5th gear?

[rmrc51]

After reading quite a few posts on another Wing forum that refer to over-drive (5th gear), I was just wondering at what speed do all of you usually shift into 5th gear taking into consideration the added weight and drag of our trike conversions?

[tbear]

with 1 up; around 65mph. 2 up around 70+mph. You should hear and feel the "sweet spot" or purr of the engine when you get it right. Smooth but powerful....Don't ever lug your motor. but of course, I have 6speeds . gotta love it...

[SEABILL]

The Goldwing has a busier sounding engine then the Harley, so I tend to want to shift it earlier. But in general, if I am cruising I will put it in 5th if the rpm are above 2500.

[rmrc51]

The Goldwing has a busier sounding engine then the Harley, so I tend to want to shift it earlier. But in general, if I am cruising I will put it in 5th if the rpm are above 2500.

Kind of interesting mentioning just cruising and shifting at 2500 rpm. I also have a Honda DelSol. And if I'm just leisurely cruising, I'll shift that little car into 5th at 2500, or wait until 3000-3500 rpm if I have to wind her out for additional speed. Almost seems as if the DelSol and the Wing are similar,,,. hmmmmm,,, lol.

[dogman513]

Wing in 5th gear long before a Harley is, That's what I like about the Wing less shifting than a Harley,Already in Overdrive at a lower speed with plenty of torque to getty-up and GO.

[msocko3]

I'm normally in 5th in the 60 - 65 mph range also, I may let it drift down some without down shifting due a quick little slow down due to someone making a turn depending on if I'm on a hill or going down through 45 mph. If I pass through 45 or on a grade I'm dropping down a gear. IMO the wing has a nice broad torque curve but from all the reading I've been doing the general consensus is it beats the tranny when your in the wrong gear, so I pretty much treat it like it was a Harley and down shift when necessary.

[John Luciano]

I have driven for 100 miles on secondary roads in 5th 2 up, and stayed in 5 th from 75 mph down to 25mph and back up and down. Pulling a trailer 2 up I tend to drop a gear, on hills or below 30 mph.

[Shimpy]

My 2010 Champion moans and groans if I shift into 5th before 50 mph even though it pulls well. Funny, I can shift into 5th at 35mph and no problem until it gets to about 45mph then moans and groans. 2000 rpm is the problem zone in any gear. It will moan and groan in any gear at that rpm for some reason. Soooo, I shift into 5th at 50mph or more. Also I'd like to mention that I don't enjoy hearing the engine running at a high rpm but have proven to myself several times that if I stay in the lower gears and the rpm's are up my mileage is much better. Apparently this engine likes to rev. and will consume more fuel if it is held back by being in too high of a gear.

[JaysGone]

I find I can be in 5th as low as 35mph and it will pull me up to whatever speed I care to go.
But Im usually out of 4th at 3500 rpm if Im accelerating up to highway speeds.
Since In far sighted and cant see the gauges to well its all by seat of the pants.
Just turns out my go point is 3500 rpms.
That seems to be my motors sweet spot.

[Saltywheels]

Never bother with looking at the gauge...my ear & feel tell me when I need to shift up & down. Sorry, I know it's not the answer folks are looking for.

[JaysGone]

Today for the heck of it I paid some attention to my shifting patterns.
I decided to be in particular hurry this morning.
I was shifting at about 2500 rpm and stayed in 4th most of ride.
Never went much over 55.
On the way home I road as I usually do passing most folks on my way home.
I was shifting again at 3500 and in 5th at about 60mph.
Its more less for me, just using my ears and what feels right at the time.

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I never lug the motor.
Shift at higher rpm's and into 5th at 55-60 mph.

[FlaWinger48]

I shift by rpm rather than speed. 4th to 5th at 2700- 3000 rpm....3500 rpm if I am accelerating on a ramp to enter an interstate. You will stress the engine more by giving it throttle at low rpms than you will by winding it up to the 4,000 rpm range.
FlaWinger48

[FRR]

With that 1800 engine I got into 5th gear anytime I am above 2000 RPM. You are not going to hurt that engine much by using 5th at lower RPM. Even with the trike kit I can't tell much difference, except maybe BIG hills.

[jaxbobg]

Interesting answers. I've noticed that my shift pattern is different on my 4 cylinder BMW than it was on my previous 2 cylinder trike. The Beemer likes to run at about 4,000 RPM and I can hear (or feel) the right time to up shift without looking at the tach.

Many times I've run on local streets in 4th gear up to 50mph very easily. On other occasions, I've been at 35mph in 5th gear without realizing it. The trike just seems to idle along the straight stretches without any strain whatever.

As for mileage, I get my best mpg at 50 to 55 mph in 5th gear on longer stretches. Usually I get about 30 mpg in town but can get 35 to 38 mpg on the road.