wide ratio trans vs. close ratio

[Raven1911]

Hi all,

I have a YZ426F and it has a close ratio 5 speed transmission. I am used to riding a 250F with a wide ratio where it is easier to tell when to change gears and I wind the engine out. I am having problems as to when to change gears now on my 426. Right now when I change gears I can barely tell I changed the gear. Is there a technique to know when to change gears and how should the bike (engine) feel when I am in the right gear?

 

[barry425]

Gear changes

Look in your owners manual (or possibly shop manual) for the two rpm's where these two events take place: maximum torque, and maximum horsepower. As a rule of thumb, upshift when the bike hits its maximum horsepower rpm and it should drop back to maximum torque rpm. This will give you the best acceleration.

 

[crazy4nitro]

sounds to me like you need to shift sooner...you might have it way up past the torque curve when your rpm's drop...

Crazy

 

[Raven1911]

Your probably right

You're right, Since I am used to the 250, I am used to keeping the revs up and winding out the gear. I was told to not do that in my 426, that the engine was designed to work in a higher gear. I just don't want to stress the engine out by being in too high of a gear. It just seems the gears are so close together that I could shift from 2nd to 3rd right away and this throws my technique off.

So should I shift right after I feel the bike hit its power?