Noob question about rev range

[Steam]

The redline on my v-twin's tachometer is about 11000, but I do most of my riding at around 5000, and at 100kph in 5th gear it's revving at 6500.
Am I wasting almost half of my rev-range which I could be using to have fun, or is it a good idea to stay out of the higher range in general?
I use the upper half of the rev-range when passing or when I miss a gear, but could I be using it a lot more just around town to get really good accelleration, etc?
I don't want to stress the engine much though, they don't make rings for the old CX400 any more.

[Steam]

AArg, could a Mod please change the title of the thead to "Noob question about rev-range" or something like that? I clicked submit before I finished. Doh! And then delete this note. Ta!

[Henk]

I'd just ride it the way you have been.
The CX isn't going to be getting any younger and do you really want the rods poking out of the bottom of the motor to see if it can safely hover around redline for extended periods?
Having never ridden one of these I'm taking a punt here but I'd guess peak torque is going to be well below 11 grand so you might just be making lots of noise and accellerating slower. Theres not usually a lot to be gained from hitting the rev limiter in every gear.

[unclfkgbully]

uummmmm gearing.. maybe an extra tooth or 2 on the front sprocket..

[Indiana_Jones]

Well riding the bike at higher revs (towards but not at the redline) isn't gonna hurt it.

I'm like yourself. I ride my CBR at 6000-8000, when she redlinesat 18,000

-Indy

[James Deuce]

No dramas dude. Honda destruction test their engines in multiples of 24 hours at maximum revs. They are definitely designed to handle the odd burst of maximum revs when being ridden hard.

[nudemetalz]

Agree with Jim. The CX400/500/650's were/are a very solid reliable bike.
They can handle a bit of redline treatment, despite being a pushrod motor.
And no, they are not a poor excuse for a bike. Ride how you have been and it will last forever (sort of ;) )

You'll never be able to change the front sprocket very easily, being a shaft drive........

[The Pastor]

high rpm = more stress and more gas wasteage, best bet to let ride her in the low revs, and give it a good blat once or twice a week.

[Pwalo]

Don't stress about it mate. If your CX is still going strong it'll handle pretty well whatever you can throw at it.

Just remember to give it a chance to warmup a bit before you thrash it, and change your oil regularly.

Besides that thing must be older than you.

[Steam]

Thanks all. I am reassured. It's good to have simple newbie questions like this answered.

[(P)]

These hi tech motobike engines are made to rev, my gsx is happiest above 8000rpm where it starts to pull like a steam train.

[ManDownUnder]

Depends on what you want from your engine at the time... if out there riding fast as possible on the limits of traction etc - then yes, down a gear or two and keep the revs at max power output for the bike.

If toodling along at 80kph on the MW you're wasting fuel and wearing the engine out for no good reason - not too mention the extra combustion pooluting the oil faster and generally reducing the life on everything inside the engine casings.

Just ride where the engine's "happy" if that makes sense. It should be lightly loaded and be in a position to pull away as fast as it reasonably can.

Think of it as being on a push bike... which gear to choose - and why? Tis the same thing without your legs whizzing around