what are the ideal times to shift.

 

Shift before the tachometer hits the redline.
You want to keep these bikes in higher RPM range for the best power (5500 to 8500 rpm seems to be the sweet spot on a stock machine).
Except if you buy a NEW bike, don't rev it too high until it's broken in...
Read http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

The jury is still out on whether or not these bikes can take long term sustained use at high RPM's. There's some that say the valve life is very short (similar to most 4 stroke MX motors) compared to a typical street bike which last as long as the rest of the motor.

For now, unless I need to power I shift around 5000 RPM since that as hard as I need to accelerate most of the time anyway. I still have my fun but I don't redline it all the time.

 

4400 miles, shift 'tween 6-7k, and run the freeway at 8-8500 for usually an hour at a time... many times longer. Great 'lil bike. My goal is 7500miles(and valve check) before the one year warranty is up.

 

I generally shift around 6K as that seems to be the sweet spot for a smooth shift on my bike. Lower around like 3K and it sometimes doesn't want to take the gear or if there is a slight grade it lugs the motor down a good bit. Off the top of my head first can be ridden from 0-15 or so.

 

My bike is exactly the same. Under 4000 rpm, especially 2nd gear, it doesn't want to shift up. Over 4000 rpm, it shifts like butta....well maybe not but pretty smooth nonetheless.

 

No offence but... Why would you be trying to upshift at 4000 rpm on this bike? (Old skool break in?)

The bike is just starting to produce power at around 4500 rpm...
IMO, it's bad for the bottom end to ride between 3000 and 4000 rpm.
Hard on the connecting rod bearings I think.

The factory (old skool) break in method is a joke. It's literally impossible to ride this bike under 4000 rpms.

 

I usually shift when it sounds right, and I have noticed that I shift differently in the dirt then on the road. On the dirt I usually shift around 5-6,000 rpm, any higher and the rear wheel will break free and I lose traction, though that is alot of fun

 

Lots of variables, depends on what I'm doing, where I am, and my mood.