I keep reading how the VN750 is a high revver, a fast bike that "does 75 in third gear". But after 300 miles of riding it, a lot of the time (if not miles) in the city, I find myself shifting relatively conservatively: unless passing someone, in the city I shift up just around 3K RPM and downshift when it drops to around 1,700 RPM. On the highway I rev up to about 5K, maybe 5,500 RPM and then shift.

I notice that around 5K RPM the engine feels like I've reached some kind of threshold and the engine is pulling harder than it was before. I looked at the specs for this bike and the peak torque is at 5,500 RPM.

Am I bailing out just as I'm hitting the true sweet spot for acceleration?

Why would I want to "do 75 MPH in third gear" as opposed to 5th gear? I've hit 75 on the speedo and the engine's at around 5,500 RPM in 5th gear at that speed; if I wanted to go faster, wouldn't I just twist the throttle? What's the point of dropping to 4th, or even 3rd gear at that high a speed?

I ride in much the same way. I don't see it as being a "wussbag" just as riding conservatively. I also get tremendous MPGs when riding this way.

There's nothing wrong with riding it hard either, and it's nice to know the power is there if you need it.

Guess it depends on my mood.

Mostly ride between 4-5k on the rpms. But more than once have done the 75mph in 3rd gear thing too. Maybe a little more than that.

All I know is after 5K it really starts to haul. It's nice for when you're in the mood to play a little.

Yea, it's nice to be able to twist the throttle at 75 MPH and be at 90 in a second or two.

That's why I'm smiling when I pass!

[QUOTE=robardin;68870] I looked at the specs for this bike and the peak torque is at 5,500 RPM.

Am I bailing out just as I'm hitting the true sweet spot for acceleration?

Why would I want to "do 75 MPH in third gear" as opposed to 5th gear? [QUOTE]




You are a girlee man...if that is you NEVER have wrung out the bike to "see what she can do"...

Most times I shifted early, got good MPG's and kept it serene. But every now and then I'd peg the throttle and shift when she screamed.

The point of shifting down or winding the engine out near redline to shift is not to go fast...but to go fast quicker. Torque may peak at 5k but HorsePower peaks at 7.5.
There is no reason to be cruising at 75 mph in 3rd gear, but if you want to get to 75 mph quickly..you stay in 3rd crack the throttle WFO and don't shift up till you get there.

Got to have fun now and then.............


KM

I have gotten mine 80 or 85 in 3rd, and it will go into the red. It is all for fun. It is not a need in my case. It is not like I do it all the time. Then I go into 4th and hit 95 to 100 shift into high and slow it up. The shield causes The front wheel to wobble at that speed. It is all for fun.

Below 5k?

Never even thought of it....might have to try later...in the garage...

Because it sounds good, a v-twin screaming, yep, that's the sound. Only bike that sounds better is a XR750 Harley with - you guessed it, dirt track pipes.

;-)
DT