Found redline!

Mean

Mean

Joined
Aug 27, 2006
Messages
125
Location
Northern VA
A totally useless experiment but I wanted to know where the rev limiter kicked in since I had seen it go past the redline during the occasional missed shift. Well I held 2nd gear as far as it would go. It very gently hit the limiter and a quick glance showed an indicated 8900 RPM.

Just in case you were wondering,
G
 
I like to do that in third (about 105 indicated on the speedo, at about 8600 RPM on ReSTored.)
 
I've lost count how many times I've done that! :(

I guess I'm still use to the V65 Sabre reving past 10K :rolleyes:

That is one complaint I have with the ST1300 engine, it just doesn't rev high enough! :shrug1:
 
The day I took delivery I hit the rev limiter in the first 3 gears several times. I have not hit the limit on 4th or 5th. Somewhere in the vicinity of 9000 rpm. Since that first year of ownership I think I have only found the rev limiter 2 or three more times. Of course she is broken in now and I don't have to drive the engine so hard any more. after 30,000 km she stopped using oil so I guess the rings are set now.
 
On the contrary, I find that it takes a LOT of effort to hit the rev limiter. While the engine will rev in neutral very quickly, when in gear, the acceleration almost stops somewhere north of 7K. If the engine didn't rev so quickly in neutral, I would think that the fuel filter was clogged or something. I would say that 7K to redline takes a few seconds even in second gear. Very different that my 600 Ninja which just keeps revving faster the higher it goes. Is there something wrong with my bike?

G
 
If it takes a few seconds as you say " yes " there is something wrong. mine the acceleration is so fast the front end tries to come up . Even past 7k mine goes hard !
 
Mean said:
On the contrary, I find that it takes a LOT of effort to hit the rev limiter. While the engine will rev in neutral very quickly, when in gear, the acceleration almost stops somewhere north of 7K. If the engine didn't rev so quickly in neutral, I would think that the fuel filter was clogged or something. I would say that 7K to redline takes a few seconds even in second gear. Very different that my 600 Ninja which just keeps revving faster the higher it goes. Is there something wrong with my bike?

G
Click to expand...

Could still be the fuel filter. In neutral, there's no load so fuel use would be greatly reduced compared to under load.
 
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The engine on the ST11 is designed to have a flat power/torque curve. Maximum power is at about 7000rpm so no benefit to reving higher. Normally I would not bother going past 6000rpm unless you wanted the revs to avoid having to change gears. 600 Ninja probably does not make peak power until well over 10,000rpm, so its happy zone would only start above where the ST11 stops. Totally different engine design and power characteristics.
 
saaz said:
The engine on the ST11 is designed to have a flat power/torque curve. Maximum power is at about 7000rpm so no benefit to reving higher. Normally I would not bother going past 6000rpm unless you wanted the revs to avoid having to change gears. 600 Ninja probably does not make peak power until well over 10,000rpm, so its happy zone would only start above where the ST11 stops. Totally different engine design and power characteristics.
Click to expand...

This is what I find as well. The only time I get into the redline area on the tach is when passing. Typically I am passing cars that are going 50-55 so I drop from 5th to 3rd and crack open the throttle, signal and move to over take. By the time I am canceling the left signal and putting on the right signal my left hand at that point is pretty busy and I am getting into the redline. If it is a car I am probably going by the driver's door at this point and am giong 85-90 indicated as I pop it into 4th as I start to change back to the proper lane. By the time I actually get to that lane I am at least 1.5 car lengths ahead of the vehicle.

I have tried starting the pass in 4th but the RPMs are too low at 50-55 to really have much power. So I prefer 3rd but the problem with that is that unless it is a semi truck or a motorhome. I don't usually get into the redline area for the same reason you mentioned. There isn't as much power up that high in my opinion. I have better acceleration at lower rpms.
 
Redline or rev limiter? On my tach, there is almost a 1K differenence between the two.

Still haven't changed the filter but I did the 2nd gear experiment again. The bike really hits a wall over 7K. I think you guys are right about the filter. Hopefully I can pick one up tomorrow.

G
 
Haven't completed a full test but changing the fuel filter has certainly freed up the engine. The old one was full of sediment and was very discolored. The engine pulls at high RPM much stronger. The colder, denser air might be contributing but it seems a lot better.

Thanks,
G
 
I would not bet on the cold dense air being having that much impact...

I'm glad the filter was dirty... it is an easy fix! :)

Mark
 
I also have a VTR so riding the Pan has taken a bit of adaption. But if you've come from a 600 sports the change is huge! On the Pan I can drop the revs below 3000 without complaint and the acceleration is linear without the kick as the bike comes onto the power band. Also the throttle has a much bigger throw on the Pan and takes more twist to get it open. I also have to be a bit careful and plan my overtaking rather than relying on brute power and agility.

But I love riding the Pan because it's so relaxing and regal. The VTR I have had the suspension setup properly with sticky tyres and need to be on top of it all the time because it just loves to turn and encourages me to sometimes push a little too close to my limits. The Pan however feels right just taking it easy.
 
I4s offer that huge reward up top which is hard to resist and can get you into trouble pretty easily, not to mention all those tickets. The V4 offers more speed and some cool sounds up there but it is not nearly as tempting and, in many ways, is not as enjoyable as having that tractor-like pull down low. It fits into that "just right" box very nicely. That is the main reason I would avoid an FJR like the plague. That doesn't mean that I don't want the I4 reward once in a while just not in my daily rider.

G
 
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