Proper way to down shift?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
it's legal here in Texas.but nobody can seem to stay in their own lane...they always want both
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 4
From: New Philadelphia, OH
CHIRP AND BURP IS HOW I ROLL!!
Seriously. When the back tire locks up that means you've overcome the friction coefficient of the TIRE, not the CLUTCH. If you're causing added wear to anything it's the rear skin. Come on, guys, if I can't go out and have a little fun on my bike I might as well stick a "for sale" sign in it right now. I'll let you know in 10 years when my bike actually needs a new clutch so you can all say "I told you so".
Seriously. When the back tire locks up that means you've overcome the friction coefficient of the TIRE, not the CLUTCH. If you're causing added wear to anything it's the rear skin. Come on, guys, if I can't go out and have a little fun on my bike I might as well stick a "for sale" sign in it right now. I'll let you know in 10 years when my bike actually needs a new clutch so you can all say "I told you so".
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
As long as your bike doesn't lock up, stall out , or explode drive it the way you like! But it is important to keep close to a gear where if you need to get out of a situation....you can.
Last edited by maddghost; Jun 10, 2009 at 04:55 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
I don't even now why this thread is still going. How the hell can someone ride properly without downshifting? For everyone who doesn't believe in downshifting, here's a scenerio for you.
You're cruising along at 60 mph and your in 5th gear. Up ahead, about 100 yards away you see a traffic light that just turned red. The cars in front of you brake, slowing down to about 35 mph. Do ride the the clutch while braking for the next 80 yards or so and then put it in first after you stop? I hope not. What do you do if you're in 5th gear, traveling 35 mph and you have to gun it to get out of the way of something? You're screwed!
You're cruising along at 60 mph and your in 5th gear. Up ahead, about 100 yards away you see a traffic light that just turned red. The cars in front of you brake, slowing down to about 35 mph. Do ride the the clutch while braking for the next 80 yards or so and then put it in first after you stop? I hope not. What do you do if you're in 5th gear, traveling 35 mph and you have to gun it to get out of the way of something? You're screwed!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 33
From: TEXAS
The reason for down shifting in any vehicle is to be in the proper gear for whatever speed you are, not nessicarily to help the motorcylce or car or truck slow down. Actually if you can feel much of a deceleration when you down shift, then you were going to fast for that particular gear when you changed gears. The brakes on cars and motorcycles are so much better than they were years ago that down shifting to help slow down is probably making things worse as far as stopping goes. Now when brakes weren't so good back in the day, it actually made some sense to augment with down shifting.
Last edited by harleyflyboy; Jun 9, 2009 at 08:32 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 2
The theory behind downshifting is that if you need to get out of the way quick, and you're in 4th gear but slowing down to 20mph you won't have enough power to accomplish that. Downshifting is a safety issue. Just like not staying in neutral at a stop. If someone is coming up behind you and they're not stopping...you need to be in gear to move QUICK.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 0
From: CA Desert
Sitting at a light in neutral is a BAD thing....imagine looking in your mirrors to see that cell phone talking, lipstick applying, wrangle the kids fat lady who has yet to realize you are there and NOT being able to dump the clutch and get at least beside the car in front of you....
