FZRSupport: the FZROnline Archive

I was just wondering how high I can rev the bike before shifting? This is my first motorcycle and I have kind of been babying it. I usually shift before or around 6k rpm but I just saw a video the other day where someone with an FZR rode it and didn't let it dip below 7k rpm. He spent the whole time between 7k and and 11k rpm with a couple revs into the redline. Is that beating the crap out of the bike or is that just how it is meant to be ridden?

cruising 70 or so on the highway will put you right around 5-6k on the tach. I wouldn't constantly run it to redline, but going to 10k on an on ramp for the highway or when taking off quick will not hurt it as long as you do the maintenance the bike needs.

These bikes were designed to run sustained in the higher range mentioned (they WERE the SuperSport race bikes of their time after all). As long as the bike is properly maintained (and you're in an appropriate environment for it), you can run it there all day long.

+1 to Brandon's comment. These engines want to spin up; lugging them can lead to erratic operation, fouled plugs, overheating, undercharging, or even metal-on-metal damage. Change the oil religiously, though - Reelrazor commented the other day that he likes to do his every 2-3k.

Also, just to add for those who aren't aware - These bikes have built-in rev limiters that will normally cut the ignition a couple thousand RPMs past redline (I think that's how it works - Don, please correct if I'm wrong). In the case of the 3HE 600, you're looking at around 13,500 RPMs or so before this protection will kick in. The 400 redline is set at 14,000 RPMS and I've spun mine up to a tach indicated 16,000 (which is likely off by a couple / few hundred RPMS). What a beautiful sound! The point is, the bike will handle all the revs you can throw at it up to redline (and then some, within reason).

Thanks for the info. I am quite a bit more comfortable with the bike now and have been revving a lot higher and having even more fun on it now. Thanks again!

kerbyjonsonjr wrote:I was just wondering how high I can rev the bike before shifting? This is my first motorcycle and I have kind of been babying it. I usually shift before or around 6k rpm but I just saw a video the other day where someone with an FZR rode it and didn't let it dip below 7k rpm. He spent the whole time between 7k and and 11k rpm with a couple revs into the redline. Is that beating the crap out of the bike or is that just how it is meant to be ridden?

Was it my videos?

Spin it 'til it stops pulling....!

Seriously, running up to redline in a gear or two, or three or four, or five/six occasionally won't hurt anything....try not to use the rev-limiter if you can help it.

The torque peak is below redline, so it WILL stop pulling haaaard before the indicated ceiling.

The only time high revving is really hard on these engines is if you downshift too many with the clutch in and let the clutch out going waaaay too fast (poor 'rev-matching')...

reelrazor wrote:The only time high revving is really hard on these engines is if you downshift too many with the clutch in and let the clutch out going waaaay too fast (poor 'rev-matching')...

You can actually blow the engine doing this, even with a slipper clutch.

Yup - electronic rev-limiters do absolutely nothing to prevent the rear wheel spinning the engine past mechanical redline ...