Proper way to down shift?
Novice
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Downshifting (and the compression braking that results when it's done correctly) used to be taught as a method of vehicle control during deceleration. I learned it in Driver's Ed in a car with a standard transmission when I was in high school for exactly that reason.
Years later when I was in the Army some drivers I knew in the transportation unit next door told me that when their basic training platoon was called to attention they were required to sound off with "Brake, clutch, shift, Drill Sergeant!" because they wanted them to never forget the proper method of downshifting and compression braking.
Go for what you know, but the only time I don't do it is during a panic stop.
Years later when I was in the Army some drivers I knew in the transportation unit next door told me that when their basic training platoon was called to attention they were required to sound off with "Brake, clutch, shift, Drill Sergeant!" because they wanted them to never forget the proper method of downshifting and compression braking.
Go for what you know, but the only time I don't do it is during a panic stop.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
there isn't any "stress" on the tranny or motor from proper downshifting; it's normal operation of the vehicle......but there sure as heck IS undue stress on your brakes from consistantly not doing it......seriously; you people who "never downshift" must be going through brake pads 3X faster than you need to be
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
I know there is a camp that downshifts to brake, and a camp that thinks it is bad & wears on mechanicals. It's always a well debated topic. I know unless there is actual testing & analysis performed on engines that are shared to the public on this, the jury will be out for most & personal beliefs will prevail.
With that said - I personally, downshift to slow down. PRIME example: I'm doing 80 on the highway & am exiting to an offramp which has a red light 1/4 mile from where I begin to exit. Am I gonna pull in the clutch & just start breaking? Hell no. I'm gonna go from 6 to 5 to 4 to 3 to 2 to 1 - downshifting to slow the bike down quickly, controlled - and only start applying the break around 3rd/2nd gear...controlling my engine & controlling my brakes provides me with near complete control of my bike - and whatever road condition I'm both ON or am about to encounter. It leaves me poised and ready to speed up or slow down how & when "I" want to.
As for the wear on components - honestly, I've seen people beat the living crap out of their bikes, downshift to high redlines - and upshift to redline as well - rarely change oil, fluids or anything - and their bikes are still running strong with NO problems. I've also seen people baby their brand new bikes from the showroom floor tonly to watch them turn into basket cases - irregardless of following specified maintenance schedules and all that jazz.
I say, downshift to your hearts content using common sense as to when you should shift to which gear & when (ie, don't blow the motor or lock up the wheel). Your bike will be fine & that is how the majority of folks drive, without incident or mechanical failure.
With that said - I personally, downshift to slow down. PRIME example: I'm doing 80 on the highway & am exiting to an offramp which has a red light 1/4 mile from where I begin to exit. Am I gonna pull in the clutch & just start breaking? Hell no. I'm gonna go from 6 to 5 to 4 to 3 to 2 to 1 - downshifting to slow the bike down quickly, controlled - and only start applying the break around 3rd/2nd gear...controlling my engine & controlling my brakes provides me with near complete control of my bike - and whatever road condition I'm both ON or am about to encounter. It leaves me poised and ready to speed up or slow down how & when "I" want to.
As for the wear on components - honestly, I've seen people beat the living crap out of their bikes, downshift to high redlines - and upshift to redline as well - rarely change oil, fluids or anything - and their bikes are still running strong with NO problems. I've also seen people baby their brand new bikes from the showroom floor tonly to watch them turn into basket cases - irregardless of following specified maintenance schedules and all that jazz.
I say, downshift to your hearts content using common sense as to when you should shift to which gear & when (ie, don't blow the motor or lock up the wheel). Your bike will be fine & that is how the majority of folks drive, without incident or mechanical failure.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 2
Archergodwin said it best - I'd like to ride with that guy sometime.
You use the engine for braking (it was compulsory on old Harleys if you wanted to stop before the horizon) in combination with the brakes (especially the front brakes 'cos the engine works on the back tyre). The ideal situation is to blip the throttle so that when you let the clutch out the engine speed matches the road speed and gear. This gives you a smooth deceleration from the engine with no jerkiness or crank loadings. This will assist the front brake in slowing down, stabilises everything by keeping it nice and tight (much better than using the back brake) and automatically puts you in the right gear to throttle out of the exit. You get to slow down and be in the right gear, to say nothing of having more control, all from one move.
To me that's the difference between just sitting on a bike and actually riding it.
You use the engine for braking (it was compulsory on old Harleys if you wanted to stop before the horizon) in combination with the brakes (especially the front brakes 'cos the engine works on the back tyre). The ideal situation is to blip the throttle so that when you let the clutch out the engine speed matches the road speed and gear. This gives you a smooth deceleration from the engine with no jerkiness or crank loadings. This will assist the front brake in slowing down, stabilises everything by keeping it nice and tight (much better than using the back brake) and automatically puts you in the right gear to throttle out of the exit. You get to slow down and be in the right gear, to say nothing of having more control, all from one move.
To me that's the difference between just sitting on a bike and actually riding it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
Archergodwin said it best - I'd like to ride with that guy sometime.
You use the engine for braking (it was compulsory on old Harleys if you wanted to stop before the horizon) in combination with the brakes (especially the front brakes 'cos the engine works on the back tyre). The ideal situation is to blip the throttle so that when you let the clutch out the engine speed matches the road speed and gear. This gives you a smooth deceleration from the engine with no jerkiness or crank loadings. This will assist the front brake in slowing down, stabilises everything by keeping it nice and tight (much better than using the back brake) and automatically puts you in the right gear to throttle out of the exit. You get to slow down and be in the right gear, to say nothing of having more control, all from one move.
To me that's the difference between just sitting on a bike and actually riding it.
You use the engine for braking (it was compulsory on old Harleys if you wanted to stop before the horizon) in combination with the brakes (especially the front brakes 'cos the engine works on the back tyre). The ideal situation is to blip the throttle so that when you let the clutch out the engine speed matches the road speed and gear. This gives you a smooth deceleration from the engine with no jerkiness or crank loadings. This will assist the front brake in slowing down, stabilises everything by keeping it nice and tight (much better than using the back brake) and automatically puts you in the right gear to throttle out of the exit. You get to slow down and be in the right gear, to say nothing of having more control, all from one move.
To me that's the difference between just sitting on a bike and actually riding it.
throttle off
clutch in
downshift
"blip" throttle
release clutch
repeat as required
Last edited by CRF; Jun 10, 2009 at 02:59 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,435
Likes: 28
From: Living in open carry state :D
The "blipping" of the throttle is key and is necessary for "proper" downshifting....it ensures the proper engine speed; if you do it right (and its hard to do it wrong) and downshift at proper speeds you will never get the rear wheel lockup, your deceleration will be smooth, there is no undue wear on any tranny, clutch or engine components, you are always in the proper gear and you will preserve your brake life. It's the best of all worlds and is how you are supposed to be doing it.
throttle off
clutch in
downshift
"blip" throttle
release clutch
repeat as required
throttle off
clutch in
downshift
"blip" throttle
release clutch
repeat as required
throttle off
Clutch in
"blip" throttle
downshift (while rpm's are still up a little, real smooth shifting this way)
release clutch
and then repeat as needed
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 3
From: Southern Oregon
Some of you actually stop like this?
Going down the freeway at 65 and you exit the offramp. You start to slow in 6th gear (or 5th for you older bike owners).
You continue to slow and then pull in the clutch and push the **** lever down 5 times, never letting out the clutch?
I can honestly say I don't know anyone who shifts like this. I'm not bashing these type of riders at all, but it does seem like a lot of extra wear on the brakes.
Downshifting thru the gears like most people do, doesn't have any significant effect on the belt, trans, engine, clutch, etc.
Going down the freeway at 65 and you exit the offramp. You start to slow in 6th gear (or 5th for you older bike owners).
You continue to slow and then pull in the clutch and push the **** lever down 5 times, never letting out the clutch?
I can honestly say I don't know anyone who shifts like this. I'm not bashing these type of riders at all, but it does seem like a lot of extra wear on the brakes.
Downshifting thru the gears like most people do, doesn't have any significant effect on the belt, trans, engine, clutch, etc.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,120
Likes: 192
From: Lakeland, FL
the proper way to downshift is -
pull the clutch, step down on the shifter, let go of the clutch. is this a joke??
pull the clutch, step down on the shifter, let go of the clutch. is this a joke??
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
pull in clutch: immediately blip the throttle and apply down pressure on the shifter.
These three things happen almost at the same time....