Install a 6-speed trans on a 2013?

[Cormanus]

The foregoing discussion makes the point pretty clearly that there is no right answer to the question of the 'right gear' to be in — at least within the boundaries of not harming the engine.

Now to respond to some Ferret questions ...

Wouldn’t bother /= prefer.

Given both options, same exact bike in every way- AND having rode both to feel the difference- would you still choose the 5?


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It’s a good question, Dubs. Given when I ride distances I like winding roads, I’ve no real need for 6 gears. When I do have to take a freeway, I’d probably appreciate the extra gear. But, if I had a chance to trade mine for a 6-gear model (unlikely, as I don’t think there are any in Australia) I wouldn’t take it unless the deal was just too good to pass up.

It’s a good question, Dubs. Given when I ride distances I like winding roads, I’ve no real need for 6 gears. When I do have to take a freeway, I’d probably appreciate the extra gear. But, if I had a chance to trade mine for a 6-gear model (unlikely, as I don’t think there are any in Australia) I wouldn’t take it unless the deal was just too good to pass up.
To put Dubs question another way .... 2 identical bikes sitting on the sales floor, same price, except one is a 6 speed and one is a 5 speed. Bikes are identical except for the transmissions. Which would you choose?

Like m in sc says you don't have to shift into 6th if you don't want to, you can ride around all day in 5th.

We've had guys on this forum advocating keeping our bikes between 4000 and 6000 rpms. 4000 rpms would be speeding even in 3rd gear on the 45-55 mph roads around here. I'm not riding around all day in 3rd gear.

I also know a guy on another forum that says the best/most efficient rpm for running a bike is at 85% of the available revs. On a CB that would be 7250 rpms.

And lugging TO ME is when the bike is chugging and bucking and will not pull cleanly, requiring a downshift to pull cleanly.

Have you ever tried shifting into the next higher gear only to find out you were already in top gear?

On my ST 1300 with no gear indicator, I once rode about 25 miles on the freeway before finding out I had another gear to shift in to. I had been running in 4th lol.

I've had 3 speed, 4 speed, 5 speed and 6 speed motorcycles. All were able to do the speed limit and more So that begs the question are more than 3 speeds really necessary?

1. I'd take the 6-speed.

2. See another post of m in sc's. I'm afraid I've always been one of them, although I'm learning ...

top gear isn't a goal for me, most people ride/drive like it is, which i never understood.(think about it).
Also, it was 23 years before I had a crash, so time and mileage means nothing. Ive never totalled a car, or even wrecked one, (in 36 years of driving) but i still put my seatbelt on, so that logic IMHO is flawed. I've had to dodge cars, and i can do it on 40 hp bikes, and have, many times. I just don't ride them in 6th gear at 45 mph (very often) either. Heck, im usually never out of 4th in town on the CB.. not because i don't want to 'shift more', that's just not where it wants to be.

3. Yep. Done it often on the CB.

4. Done that on the CB too.

5. Well, if necessity is the only goal, then no. Whatever number gets you to cruising speed is enough. But necessity is not the sole goal here, is it? Presumably using more gears evolved over time because it was better for engines, lowered fuel consumption and delivers greater comfort at highway speeds.