Which gear for 60mph?

[gwilliams290]

Skips on the money. Below 2000 rpm downshift. Above 5000 rpm upshift. Speedo is for telling the cop that I didn't have a clue as to how fast I was going. For drop dead smooth you're going to have to look at a GoldWing or a BMW 1600GTL. But you'll see yourself coming down the road all day long.

 

[joolz]

Which gear for 60? Leather pants and a black latex shirt with rhinestone detailing

 

[zimtuff]

I've always used 98 octane fuel in mine except when I'm on a trip and it's not available . I think I read somewhere that 91 is bad for the engine but don't quote me on it

I dont know how these rumours get around. Triumph recommend 91ron because it is a low compression engine.
The higher octane level in 98ron is there to stabilise fuel burn for high compression engines,but its wasted in a R3.
Using 91RON will never harm the R3 engine any more than it will harm a Commodore or Falcon engine (unless its a high performance model).

 

[zimtuff]

Bruce, I often get around that mileage, sometimes better, sometimes worse. Tank is meant to hold 24 lites. I put a wisker over 23 in once.

It will take 24 if you empty it and slightly fill it past the recommended level.
My rule of thumb is that when the light comes on ,I have a 1/3 of a tank left or 100klms max.

 

[HellFire]

Low compression engine = Low Octane gasoline

If you feel the need to add something, add some Techron fuel system cleaner once a month or so to feel better about using cheap (relatively speaking ) fuel. Stabil also makes an additive for gas with alcohol, it helps neutralize the detrimental effects of the ethanol on internal parts. The biggest problem with ethanol is that it swells rubber parts that aren't made for it and it absorbs water. The water can cause corrosion like rust on steel and oxidation on aluminum. It's primarily for if the engine sits around with fuel in it but also helps even if it's ridden daily.

Increased octane is not only wasted on this motor but also reduces power due to it slowing down the burn rate. You don't get all the available power from a gallon and it just goes out the exhaust. Those still running catalytic converters are at risk of overheating the pipe and surrounding parts due to the fuel being burned in the catalyst rather than the cylinders.

It's a waste of money and fuel.

 

[HansO]

just prove that theory here's an example Saturday after fitting the new headers and accidently leaveing near on 20 ft of rubber honest I just gave it a bit officer. any way I noticed the fuel was low (been on the light for about 20 klm's) and sevo just up the road forgot I had stoped going there (senior moment) any way filled up with 95 cos I won't put the 10% ethanol crap in bike or car as I'm pulling out ... aw **** that's right I go up the road to the little independant that still has non eth 91.. oh well she'll be right.. went to a mates place yesterday 30klm's away .... came home and went to the other servo the 95 made it sluggish and subdued compared to 91.
When I first got her I used to run on 95 and put up wth the rought cold running and the fact that it didn't lift the front with the ease some others had reported after using 91 when I was in Tassie earlier in a town that only had 91 I thought my imagination was getting the better of me cos it seemed to have more grunt, so when I came home I did some expreimenting and sure enought 91 is better for economy (not that I worry about it as I am a bit heavy in the wrist) and ran smoother and defiantly more grunt

 

[HellFire]

We actually had Chevy Cavaliers come into the service dept years ago with melted carpets. The owners were listening to Amoco commercials and running premium (because they just loved their cars) thinking they were doing the right thing. The unburned fuel was running through their low compression engines and turning the catalytic converters into red hot glowing inferno's. So if they weren't setting off grass fires, they were melting their carpet from the heat.

Try explaining that one to a pissed off soccer mom with her kids melted toy fused into carpet under the seat.

 

[zimtuff]

So that got us wondering if you guys run 4th gear for everything and just use 5th for the highway?

For me,at 60 mph or 96kph,I would normally be in 5th. If I was accelerating hard I would probably be in 4th.
Im normally into 5th above 70kph or any time the engine will do it smoothly.
If Im in heavy traffic I will probably keep it 4th a little longer and use the engine for braking

Its got heaps of torque ,it doesnt need to be yelling its head off.

 

[zimtuff]

TV commentators often talk about high octane fuel in relation to high performance vehicles.
This in turn gives people the notion that it is the fuel that is causing the high performance output from the engine.
In truth,its the high performance engine that needs the high octane fuel to run smoothly.

 

[Evil Mitch]

I appreciate all the info and feedback but I am happy with the way my bike runs so I'm sticking with it it's never caused me any problems