6th Gear Cruising

I am a recent 1250 Bandit owner (LOVE THIS THING) and I have done a few runs along the highway and sometimes feel like I need 7th gear.
6th gear at around 100kph is pretty much near peak torque (I think) and the Bandit sure does respond to a touch of throttle:shock:, but shame to not use the available torque at slightly lower RPM in a taller 6th. Why not have 1-5 for really poking along and 'overdrive' 6th for a torquey cruze!!
I know the big motor loves spinning happily at 3600RPM or so near 100kph, but seems it could be happier purring at say 3000.
Cheers, GG

I hear you. I am always thinking about changing the sprockets to bring down the revs in top. Never done it cause I think it would push 1st out too much and end up frying the clutch fairly quickly. Plus the added cost of a speedo healer just to potentially hate the change and go back to stock.
I reackon about 2800 at 110kph would be about right.

Yes, agreed, I wouldn't like to have 1st gear any taller, I reckon it's just about right. But this mighty engine could easily torque away in 6th at the late 2000s at 100-110kph, as you say.
No doubt in my mind this would also improve fuel economy as I reckon 3500 - 4000RPM on the cruise with 1250cc is a pretty thirsty way to go, and seems pretty pointless.
Btw this is just a niggly comment, and not serious gripe as there are soooo many other fantastic things about this machine.
Thanks, GG

You would probably find that you would increase fuel consumption due to labouring the motor more. I have actually added a extra tooth on the rear so the rpms have actually increased slightly and i get better fuel consumption on the highway cruising at 130+ then i do at 100-110.

GGiant wrote:I am a recent 1250 Bandit owner (LOVE THIS THING) and I have done a few runs along the highway and sometimes feel like I need 7th gear.
6th gear at around 100kph is pretty much near peak torque (I think) and the Bandit sure does respond to a touch of throttle:shock:, but shame to not use the available torque at slightly lower RPM in a taller 6th. Why not have 1-5 for really poking along and 'overdrive' 6th for a torquey cruze!!
I know the big motor loves spinning happily at 3600RPM or so near 100kph, but seems it could be happier purring at say 3000.
Cheers, GG

This is a typical new Bandit owner thought.
You'll get used to it and going taller would kill the fun.
These engines love 4,000+RPM & 40,000km.
Report back then and see if you still want taller gearing.

2wheelsagain wrote:

GGiant wrote:I am a recent 1250 Bandit owner (LOVE THIS THING) and I have done a few runs along the highway and sometimes feel like I need 7th gear.
6th gear at around 100kph is pretty much near peak torque (I think) and the Bandit sure does respond to a touch of throttle:shock:, but shame to not use the available torque at slightly lower RPM in a taller 6th. Why not have 1-5 for really poking along and 'overdrive' 6th for a torquey cruze!!
I know the big motor loves spinning happily at 3600RPM or so near 100kph, but seems it could be happier purring at say 3000.
Cheers, GG

This is a typical new Bandit owner thought.
You'll get used to it and going taller would kill the fun.
These engines love 4,000+RPM & 40,000km.
Report back then and see if you still want taller gearing.

+ 1

Good advice, and advice taken thanks fellas.
I certainly have a long way to go to get used to the big Bandit. Still coming up the learning curve, and enjoying the ride
No plans to fiddle with anything like gearing, or other mechanics, for that matter. A few little extras on the cosmetics only.
Cheers GG

We haven't actually heard from someone who has made a gearing change for the purposes of highway cruising. Surely someone has done it and either loved or hated it!

I agree with 2wa and Paul. Also, if you were running anround the 2,000rpm overtaking from around the 90k mark would require a gear change. I love the way these machines overtake around the 3,000rpm mark and I never have to think about dropping back a gear.

6th gear?

b12mick wrote:6th gear?

You know the gear to use when you want to cruise above the posted limit (well that could be third but I digress) I used 6th recently, on my trip to and from Bathurst. About the only time in almost a year.

Your missing out on the flexibility of the bandit motor. I'm in 6th between 60-70kph (2000 to 2400rpm).

It has 6 ???????????????? I have only needed 5 .

No matter what I try, I just can't find a 6th gear on my bandit!

Kiwisteve wrote:No matter what I try, I just can't find a 6th gear on my bandit!

That's because it's the red one

I personally wouldn't gear it up. Woden Plaza, which conveniently has nil cost undercover parking close to my work, has a steep exit ramp. At the end of the day, and with plenty of traffic, it tends to labor up that bit even in 1st (and of course the motor is cold). I actually thought of putting a one tooth larger sprocket on the back to gear it down slightly, rather than going the other way. But then I thought giving up work was easier!

What RPM at 100 kph do the 5 speed Bandits do in 5th"?
GG

My mates Cb1300 is doing about 3800 in 5th at 100km/h

Four40 wrote:

b12mick wrote:6th gear?

You know the gear to use when you want to cruise above the posted limit (well that could be third but I digress) I used 6th recently, on my trip to and from Bathurst. About the only time in almost a year.

There is no 6th gear on real bandits.

GGiant wrote:What RPM at 100 kph do the 5 speed Bandits do in 5th"?
GG

I rarely sit on 100, but 110 (by the speedo) is roughly 4000rpm

Ewok1958 wrote:I personally wouldn't gear it up. Woden Plaza, which conveniently has nil cost undercover parking close to my work, has a steep exit ramp. At the end of the day, and with plenty of traffic, it tends to labor up that bit even in 1st (and of course the motor is cold). I actually thought of putting a one tooth larger sprocket on the back to gear it down slightly, rather than going the other way. But then I thought giving up work was easier!

Yes, I wouldn't want a taller first gear for getting around town with. It's just when cruising on long stretches of motorway I was dreaming of an easier cruise. Maybe just better to keep off motorways and enjoy the old road beside it!!

GGiant wrote:What RPM at 100 kph do the 5 speed Bandits do in 5th"?
GG

My FZ1 is doing 4100 at 100 (6th) with a much more accurate speedo than Suzuki's estimating device

GGiant wrote:What RPM at 100 kph do the 5 speed Bandits do in 5th"?
GG

Mine does about 3600rpm

GGiant wrote:

Ewok1958 wrote:I personally wouldn't gear it up. Woden Plaza, which conveniently has nil cost undercover parking close to my work, has a steep exit ramp. At the end of the day, and with plenty of traffic, it tends to labor up that bit even in 1st (and of course the motor is cold). I actually thought of putting a one tooth larger sprocket on the back to gear it down slightly, rather than going the other way. But then I thought giving up work was easier!

Yes, I wouldn't want a taller first gear for getting around town with. It's just when cruising on long stretches of motorway I was dreaming of an easier cruise. Maybe just better to keep off motorways and enjoy the old road beside it!!

You arent going to hurt this motor doing 4000rpm up the motorway.

I've had my Bandit since last August and I still keep forgetting I have a 6th gear.

It's a pleasant surprise to be belting down the motorway and I go to check what gear i'm in and find that extra cog...