08-28-2014, 12:08 AM
Many a time I find my self tooting down the freeway on the Moto Guzzi Griso doing about 75 and realize I'm in fifth. Something about the vibes does not encourage shifting.
On the CB I'm pretty sure I'd try for eight gears if it had them. My old KZ550 would be in top gear - in town! I think I did what I could to quiet the engine down by up shifting (the CB is not as bad in this regard) but the V twin Griso can be quite happy in 3rd or 4th (maybe it has a wider ratio range, not sure) and does not push the need to shift.
Come to think of it, my big single, the Honda XR650L, once I hit third, becomes pretty lazy about shifting too and I'll forget to shift into fifth sometimes (for some reason I thought she had six speeds, I need to ride her more often!) but I need to be well above 60 to do so.
On the CB I'm pretty sure I'd try for eight gears if it had them. My old KZ550 would be in top gear - in town! I think I did what I could to quiet the engine down by up shifting (the CB is not as bad in this regard) but the V twin Griso can be quite happy in 3rd or 4th (maybe it has a wider ratio range, not sure) and does not push the need to shift.
Come to think of it, my big single, the Honda XR650L, once I hit third, becomes pretty lazy about shifting too and I'll forget to shift into fifth sometimes (for some reason I thought she had six speeds, I need to ride her more often!) but I need to be well above 60 to do so.