2011 RSV on Yamaha web site

[RandyR]

I agree with you...in my 39 years of life, from driving cmv's for 12 yrs, to an assortment of cars and trucks. I have NEVER seen a fuel efficient vehicle that ran at a high rpm. Why are most manufacturer's going to six speeds? They lower the rpm's increasing fuel mileage regardless of where the sweet spot is (excluding large truck engines).

 

I would be willing to bet money, if they would put in a 6th gear that would lower the rpm's by 300-500 rpm's at 70 mph you would get better fuel mileage. For some situations, you may need to stay in 5th if you've got alot more ground pressure from a passenger, etc. But, for those that run light having the option of another gear couldn't hurt.

 

Not so.

 

The faster you go, the wind resistance on the windshield increases exponentially, and takes more and more HP just to buck the wind. Thats why mileage starts to fall off at 65-70mph. The bike already has overdrive gears in 4th and 5th. Lowering the gearing is more likely to lower your gas mileage in any situation other than a long downhill run, in which case, just drop it into neutral...

 

My Mercury Marquis (big rear wheel drive car) has a small block V8. I was extremely surprised to see it running at 2000 rpm at 70mph on the straightaway highway (26miles per gallon). But if I push the accelerator, the transmission downshifts right away and rpms go up.

[Seaking]

You can run these bikes and cruise well in the 2000 - 3000 rpm range and experience great fuel mileage "as long as you don't chug the engine".. but soon as you hit a lot of wind or inclines, the engine needs to work harder, needing more fuel at that gear or a high rpm with less fuel..

 

What most have been saying, there is a balance between the revs, wind resistance and throttle requirements that make these bikes act weirdly for it's fuel efficiency..

 

On the same path, I managed to get 50 MPG playing with the revs (a tach helps) and gears but its a lot of work.. and not a lot of fun.. I preferred doing that path in 3rd gear and coming onto the throttle and making some wind and noise.. more fun but less fuel efficient.

 

I would greatly appreciate a 6th gear on this bike to be able to cruise down the I95 for example at 85 mph (not the prima facia but that's what everyone travels at) and kick it in 6th gear for some added fuel effeciency.. but hmmm... then at that speed, wind resistance becomes greater and then you need to add more throttle or downshift.. and we're back to square one..

 

Streamlining it would help..

 

I do know that a Tall and Wide Clearview windshield is harder on fuel than a shorty windscreen when traveling at high speeds.. I'd been seriously thinking of 'narrowing' my windshield for just that reason..

 

all fun all the same..