Proper way to down shift?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,435
Likes: 28
From: Living in open carry state :D
It is worse having the clutch pulled in and costing to a stop then downshifting and letting it out. When ever you have the lever pulled in and clutch disengaged the clutch is slipping causing more wear and tear. As long as you are not slamming it into a lower gear and popping the clutch out you will be fine. But if you are slowing down with it in gear and not pulling the clutch in until the engine protests then you are causing a lot of uneven loading on the engine. Excatly the same as lugging the engine when you shift too early. That bucking you feel is banging on the bearings.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
i do the "heel/toe" method for cars on my bike...blip the throttle to keep the rpm's up and ease the clutch out...holding the clutch in the whole process of stopping and then at the light is wearing your clutch prematurely...but hey,wudda i know?i only work on vehicles every day on a professional level.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
That's exactly what happened to me last night Longhair. I was at a red light behind another car, looked in my mirror ( I always look in my mirrors at red lights) and saw a pickup coming up on me kind of fast. I moved before he got to slam his brakes. By the time I heard the screeching sound of him locking up his brakes I was out of his way. Good thing too because he stopped about 5 feet from the car in front of me. If I didn't have my bike in gear and wasn't a good distance away from the car in front of me I would have been rear ended.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 1
From: Upstate, SC
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Western KY
Dynas must Glide to a stop :)
Ok.. that was cheesy... I know.
Seriously though, I mix it up ... I will use different ways.
Sometimes all brake, sometimes down shift and release clutch, then brake to a stop blah blah blah....whatever I feel at the moment.
Generally on wet pavement I use braking only... as a safety rule for myself. It just seems more controlled to me.
It's pretty easy to scoot that back tire releasing the clutch...even when you think your bein careful.
That may not be as much of a problem for more experienced riders and those who are used to their bikes. For newer riders it can be an issue.
I never sit in Neutral though....and do try to watch my back.
I also agree totally about the lugging and the engine parts banging against each other. That's not a good thing.
I catch my self tryin to find that lowest point of RPM with lots of lugging and no banging....
I like the sound the pipes make at that point....especially when chicks are walkin on the sidewalk.... I'll grow up one day and quit
maybe....
well....
nah.
nevermind
Seriously though, I mix it up ... I will use different ways.
Sometimes all brake, sometimes down shift and release clutch, then brake to a stop blah blah blah....whatever I feel at the moment.
Generally on wet pavement I use braking only... as a safety rule for myself. It just seems more controlled to me.
It's pretty easy to scoot that back tire releasing the clutch...even when you think your bein careful.
That may not be as much of a problem for more experienced riders and those who are used to their bikes. For newer riders it can be an issue.
I never sit in Neutral though....and do try to watch my back.
I also agree totally about the lugging and the engine parts banging against each other. That's not a good thing.
I catch my self tryin to find that lowest point of RPM with lots of lugging and no banging....
I like the sound the pipes make at that point....especially when chicks are walkin on the sidewalk.... I'll grow up one day and quit
maybe....
well....
nah.
nevermind
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee area
Engine is for going, brakes are for stopping.
'Zackly!
I downshift as I am coming to a stop, mostly staying in the gear appropriate for the speed in case the light turns if it is a stoplight. I don't use the engine for slowing me down, I would rather replace brake pads than clutches ( they will need to be replaced at some point regardless). My .02
Last edited by Grind; Jun 8, 2009 at 01:55 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 972
Likes: 23
From: NC
When I'm cruising along at 70 mph or so and need to stop, I pull the clutch in and downshift immediately all the way into first gear and then let the clutch out all at once. The rear tire locks up and I skid to a stop. Very effective way to stop quickly. Now if only I could figure out why I only got 3300 miles out of my first rear tire... hmmm...