Changing Gears

[sexy beast]

This might sound.....i dont know
but i've been meaning to ask this for a while. Is there an economical/healthy way of changing gears. Going through six gears can be a bit tricky i found especially if Im riding at 50km. i usually like all of you move in the first gear, then change to second when i hit 20kms, then into third when i hit 40kms, and into fourth when im up to 55kms. when i've got clear road in front i go into fifth but keep it under 60kms....i've noticed that my zx6r when in fourth gear but still in the 50km zone, it doesnt sound smooth but as soon as flick it into fifth its fine or if i rev it a bit more in the fourth it seems ok...
just wondering if im changing right or do i need to do something different

SB

[quickbuck]

Well, I find with my 600 there are parts of the rev range it doesn't like to sit in as well, thus change to a different gear accordingly.
Shame it doesn't like sitting on 100 in top though

I guess different sprockets will sort that (If i can ever be bothered).

What I recommend, change when ever it feels the smoothest. This was your pillion (if you ever ride with one) will be impressed with how smooth your bike is (Even if it isn't the smoothest).
However some pillions like to feel vibration all the time, but in my experience (With Helicopters) this can be very destructive to mechanical things.

Hope this sort of answers it for you?

Cheers
QB

[Crisis management]

I never get out of third in 50km zones and will only use fifth at 110 plus.
Let the motor rev, the worst thing you can do to them is lug around at low revs and high gears.

[WRT]

I'll only change into third at over about 55k's, even then only on the flat or downhill - at 55 on an incline, I'd normally be in 2nd. On the motorway, I'm normally in 4th or 5th (depending on how, err, "free flowing" the traffic is . . . ) and 6th is to all intents and purposes reserved for the back straights at the track. I dont use the speedo as an indicator of when to change gear though, you can feel when the engine is above/below its optimum revs and that should be your guide.

[Ralph]

I use which ever gear gives the smoothest ride, I don't run around at low speeds in high gears though, a bit hard on the machine I understand.
Maybe save 5th/6th for the open road?
I don't often get past 4th in 80km zones sometimes not past 2nd/3rd in 50km zones.
Just try different gears like instead of shifting up from 4th to 5th in a 50km zone try shifting to third.

[TerminalAddict]

like many others here 3 only occassionaly gets selected in the town, and sixth is only occassionaly selected out of town.
depends on the ride I guess.
On the commute to work I will do 100-120 in the country in fifth.
On a ride following warren I will do 100-120 in second or third ... gotta keep those revs ready and willing if warren is in front