Downshifting questions
Downshifting questions
Today I was riding with some friends and downshifted like I was always told not to do
I down shifted with the clutch, released the clutch fast and immediately went to 100% throttle. Did not revmatch just basically dumped it. Nothing felt wrong with the bike afterwards but I also know it wasnt proper procedure. I guess Im more worried about how stout the drive train is and if thats something that would hurt this bike?
also Ive been reading on here that letting the motor slow you down vs rev matching and using more brakes is hard on the motor and can cause run out crank issues. Is there any truth to this?
also Ive been reading on here that letting the motor slow you down vs rev matching and using more brakes is hard on the motor and can cause run out crank issues. Is there any truth to this?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,537
Likes: 6,412
From: Honah Lee
Four thoughts. Harley's are tough. They can go 200,000 miles. Hardly any maintenance.
Professional race driver's cars are tough also. Ever notice they are always having major failures way before end of a race?
There is another though just for free. Be careful. I started riding at 16.. Been down once when I was 17.
I'm 73 and never been down again. Lot of luck considering what goes on out there but mostly because I never drive like that.
If you bike is running OK, it's fine.
Professional race driver's cars are tough also. Ever notice they are always having major failures way before end of a race?
There is another though just for free. Be careful. I started riding at 16.. Been down once when I was 17.
I'm 73 and never been down again. Lot of luck considering what goes on out there but mostly because I never drive like that.
If you bike is running OK, it's fine.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,589
From: South Florida
I downshift 100% of the time. ALWAYS like in ALWAYS. Rarely to pass anyone since my '17 Ultra Classic has plenty of power.
Normally I run my bikes up to 100K in 3 years then trade them in. ONCE ever, when I had maybe 80K - 85K I downshifted in a police escorted ride on the highway, when all of a sudden I lost ALL my gears.
Bottom line was the spline hub. Abt $900 to repair. I think (I am not positive) but I think that 1 time ever I wore out the spline hub was due to downshift. But keep in mind, EVERY TIME, 100% of the time, when I ride I am downshifting.
It saves the brakes and I like the sound and feel.
I think it is FINE to downshift to pass someone or slow down. And I nvr that I am aware of used up tranny fluid or burned/discolored the tranny fluid.
Your fine....enjoy your bike. GREAT question BTW.
Normally I run my bikes up to 100K in 3 years then trade them in. ONCE ever, when I had maybe 80K - 85K I downshifted in a police escorted ride on the highway, when all of a sudden I lost ALL my gears.
Bottom line was the spline hub. Abt $900 to repair. I think (I am not positive) but I think that 1 time ever I wore out the spline hub was due to downshift. But keep in mind, EVERY TIME, 100% of the time, when I ride I am downshifting.
It saves the brakes and I like the sound and feel.
I think it is FINE to downshift to pass someone or slow down. And I nvr that I am aware of used up tranny fluid or burned/discolored the tranny fluid.
Your fine....enjoy your bike. GREAT question BTW.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 671
Likes: 159
I dont think people are understanding what OP is saying. From what Im understanding is that he was told not to rev it up and dump the clutch on a downshift which is exactly what he did.
I wouldnt do it excessively but its not going to ruin your clutch. Always try to rev match even if youre planning on gunning it afterwards. Youll probably either spin the tire or bog down the engine before you break anything.
I wouldnt do it excessively but its not going to ruin your clutch. Always try to rev match even if youre planning on gunning it afterwards. Youll probably either spin the tire or bog down the engine before you break anything.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,031
From: Carlsbad, CA
It sounds more like the Op pulled in the clutch…downshifted a few gears…and then dumped the clutch. If that’s what you did don’t do that, because you can:
- mechanically over rev the engine, and throw a piston up your butt
- lock the rear wheel, and have it slide out from under you
- break something…on the bike or body
If you are going to downshift more than one gear:
- make sure that won’t over rev the engine
- let the clutch out slow enough to let the engine speed come up reasonably fast…not instantaneously. Or rev match…that means to rev the motor up to the speed that the new gear would put it in.
DONT JUST PULL IN THE CLUTCH, STOMP DOWN THE SHIFTER A BUNCH OF TIMES, AND THEN LET THE CLUTCH FLY…!!!!
- mechanically over rev the engine, and throw a piston up your butt
- lock the rear wheel, and have it slide out from under you
- break something…on the bike or body
If you are going to downshift more than one gear:
- make sure that won’t over rev the engine
- let the clutch out slow enough to let the engine speed come up reasonably fast…not instantaneously. Or rev match…that means to rev the motor up to the speed that the new gear would put it in.
DONT JUST PULL IN THE CLUTCH, STOMP DOWN THE SHIFTER A BUNCH OF TIMES, AND THEN LET THE CLUTCH FLY…!!!!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
Here is a good thread about downshifting. If you don't match RPMs on your downshift it increases rear tire wear. If you're not careful and drop into a lower gear than you think, in a turn, you may skid the rear wheel. One time I thought I was downshifting from third to second, but really I was downshifting from second into first, and that was exciting. And not in good way.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...r-no-blip.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...r-no-blip.html