What is a safe RPM to make my upshift on a motorcycle?

Don’t lug. Stay in a lower gear. Make 5,000 redline.

What make/model bike you got? A v-twin Harley has a much different power profile vs. a Kawasaki Ninja vs. a Honda Goldwing.

Regardless, after initial breakin, you can safely rev the engine all the way up to redline. You’re just increasing wear and tear on the engine, clutch, tires, chain/driveshaft, etc. But it’s within design parameters. That’s the whole point of the red line.

@pdworkin what does that mean? i am making 5k redline now, but was what does dont lug mean? i HAVE to go to a higher gear to get to the speed limit if 5k is redline…right?

and @robmandu – its a 06 kawasaki ninja 250!!

lugging is when you are in a higher gear but going slower than you should be. I am not sure of the scale on a bike but my Nissan 240 Sx will lug like hell if i do less than 30 in 4th gear(about 1.8K rpm). Its almost common sense. I keep my RPM around 3K.

@Kiev749 but what i dont understand is if i keep my RPMs at 3k even in 6th gear, im only going like 30mph…MAYBE 40. so im using between 4/5k as my main areas so i can get to speed in a lower gear.

If your RPMs are above 3000 or so, you’re not lugging. Each bike has its own sweet spot. You can run all day at 5K, so why upshift?

Re: lugging the engine.

Try to barely get your bike rolling, then shift directly to 4th gear, and then try to get going. You’re moving too slow for the engine to properly work on that gear. The engine will make a characteristic low-frequency noise that just won’t “sound right”... and of course, you’ll hardly be able to accelerate at all.

30mph in 6th gear is not helping your engine out and may be hurting it. If your break-in red line is 5000 treat it as such and when in gear keep it around 3500 to 4000 and whatever gear will provide the desired speed (don’t try to get to 6th gear….keep it in a lower gear). Once you break it in, change your oil as recommended and fuckin go for it….just don’t get caught like I did here. And if you do, there are some helpful tips contained there-in. See ya….Gary aka wtf

@whatthefluther – check this out, this will help you understand/feel my pain.. lol

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/kawasaki-streetbikes-sportbikes/2365-ninja-250-break.html

you’ll see what i mean.

@futurelaker88….I agree with the responders. You can cross the line a bit but only if the engine is warm, and only for short bursts. And one of the guys mentioned visiting inclines. Its a good idea during break=-in to put your bike through as many of the variety of road conditions as you will eventually face. Follow manufacturers post break-in regimen to the tee…they know the engine best and you want to keep your warranty in order. Then go for it. You must be chompin’ at the bit and I bet that is one nimble screaming rice burner you got! Don’t feel you ought to continue to baby the bike for some more miles after break-in. I’ve always held, as have my friends (including pro motorcycle racers and mechanics) that if you baby your bike, it will always be a baby and you’ll never get the maximum performance its capable of unless you exercise it. Just be safe and don’t get caught. I can’t ride anymore. I sold all my bikes (street and dirt and a trick trail bike) and trailer and all my gear several years ago. Boy, I miss it more than all the other crap I can no longer do….it’s in my blood. Have fun and think of me, “wtf”, on one of your rides (after break-in, OK?). See ya….Gary aka wtf