[Benny]

I have a 2011 Stryker I just bought in January. I have put like 75 miles on it. And I was reading the manual about the break in period and the shifting recommendations, since it seemed like I was using more fuel than I should be. With only 75 miles on it, I am down to my last "o" on the gauge.

Not that I know the fuel gauge is correct, since when I bought it, the gauge said needs fuel and it was full. Something was stuck, so perhaps it is a little off too.

So I was wondering if I am not shifting enough. So I looked into the manual and it stated you should shift at 12, 19, 25, and 31 mph. So today I tried this and it seemed like it was too low of speeds and it would knocking in 5th in the 40's. Anyone have any thoughts on what they shift at or if this is a problem with what I am doing or perhaps a problem with the bike.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[strykenshane]

Yeah, those numbers are a little low, I don't shift to 5th till 50, swapping out the front sprocket will make the bike run and shift much more smoother, do a search for this thread and you'll see what I'm speaking of

 

[Mentat Ix]

Fuel gauges on bikes are called idiot gauges for a reason. Mine has been pretty good, but it did leave me stranded once.

Take it as a rough guide only. Keep track of how much fuel you use when you top off and go with that. If you're getting less than 35mpg maybe there's something wrong, or maybe you're just riding like a madman.

Also, in my vast experience this bike likes higher rpms. Shift when it feels like you need it and don't worry so much.

 

[stroguy]

Add 10 mph to those numbers. They are a joke. Play it by your ear.

 

[mikoloe]

Listen to this song! Drink about 8 beers then go ride your bike!!

 

[quantumrider]

I believe it's normal for a new bike, or new car for that matter, to use more gas 'till it's broken in. Had the same experience with v-star 950 and and all my cars I purchased new. It also could be because of the break in procedure I use: ride it (or drive it) like you stole it!

 

[Duff]

Those numbers are way out. I don't hit 5th gear until 60mph. Heck I don't hit 2nd till 18mph. Listen to your engine and you will get the feeling for it.

 

[mikoloe]

Protocol is

Ride it like you stole it!

 

[Mr monte]

Protocol is

Ride it like you stole it!

One thing I would add is keep the rpms down until at operating temp then once at temp Ride it like you stole it.

Want a slow bike or car break them in slowly for many miles.

As others have stated those shift points are a little low (5-10mph). If the bike feels sluggish or is chugging a bit you should be in a lower gear.

 

[kraaazymike]

Benny, would you happen to be a new rider? Once you get a little saddle time on the Stryker, you'll get the feel for when to shift and never even look down at that speedo. But on flat land, I would add at least 5mph to each of those shift points for smoother transitions; and that's with steady acceleration. You can get lower gas mileage from shifting too soon too. Anytime the engine is bogging or over revving, you're being less fuel efficient than you should. But for comparison, I know I've ridden hard when I hit the single "o" at 75 miles.

 

[11Stryker]

Shift into 2nd at 15 to 20 mph, into 3rd at 30 to 35, into 4th at 40 to 45, into 5th at at least 50 to 55 Mph. If you get tuner or 30 tooth front pulley, you can shift into 5th at 40 to 45 with no problems. Rev limiter hits at 6200 rpm or so. You will not even be 1/2 throttle at the shift points I stated. I have a tach so I know this first hand. Hope this helps.

 

[toby]

The mph that 11 posted are the absolute lowest. I don't even go to 2nd till 20 mph minimum. And if you are on any kind of up hill grade you will want to ad a few more mph per gear ****fting to those numbers.:wink:
For gas mileage, You will get in between 26 mpg and 45 mpg on average no matter how many miles past break in period you have. It varies that much depending on where you ride, Freeway, town or mountains etc. I have gotten as much as 50 mpg on open hwy long rides, and on the hill I live I get 25 to 27 mpg. So if you do a lot of town driving figure on 120 miles a tank

 

[Benny]

Thanks. I was shifting by ear as I have done before with dual sport bikes and cars and trucks. But when my fuel mileage seemed to go down so much I thought I would check it out in the manual and try what they recommended this past weekend, but it seemed to always be bogging down. I thought the numbers in the manual seemed low, but thought that all the experts at Yamaha were smarter than me so I figured I would give it a try. Then I asked all the real experts here for your help. Thanks for you help.

 

[BillyD66]

75 seems low but as Toby said it depends on where/how you drive. That said he is on the extreme side. I average 37-38 with a fair amount of throttle twisting. Granted I live in flat Illinois and generally don't get caught in traffic.

My guess is maybe the initial tank was not totally full etc. Over the next couple of tanks keep track of the actual gas mileage and your driving conditions. If they aren't a lot of stop-n-go or you aren't hammering it all the time and you are getting close to 30 or so I'd have the shop take a look since something would have to be off.
On another note, road the other day and really started pushing the low fuel countdown. Pulled into the garage at 15.6 miles. Will have to add some gas before going out again just to safely make it to the gas station

 

[sdsting]

Benny, you should read this thread. Do this mod and your bike will be set up to shift MUCH better.

http://www.yamahastarstryker.com/18-mods-accessories/7185-front-pulley-change.html

 

[11Stryker]

Best advice is just forget the book, as soon as you get 1000 miles or less and you will get the hang of it.

 

[cambridge]

Since my changes in my bike, my shift from 2nd to 3rd is 50 mph. Pretty awesome. :rockon:

 

[mikoloe]

I dont have a second gear I go from first and double click to 3rd. I smoked a harley Streetglide the other day.....He was pissed.

 

[acepilot2007]

I get second gear around 50mph and 3rd around 75. Any higher than that and the rev limiter kicks in. Normal shifting I get second at about 25 and add 10 or so to that for each successive gear.

 

[toby]

I get second gear around 50mph and 3rd around 75. Any higher than that and the rev limiter kicks in. Normal shifting I get second at about 25 and add 10 or so to that for each successive gear.

So I did some close observations on shift points and how it feels. First I'd like to say as some others have mentioned, The book is a joke, throw it out.
My bike is stock except for drilled baffles and 240 rear tire. Shifts comfortably at 25, 35, 45 and 55. It is possible to shift at lower speeds if you are just coasting. No less than 5 mph per gear though. I was surprised to see the mph the rev limiter kicks in. Nearly 50 in 1st, 80, in 2nd. That's as far as I got.:thumb: