Question: Down Shifting for Torque
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
When you down shift you want the engine rpm to match your speed.
Say cruising in 4th gear your bike does 50 mph @ 3,000 rpm,
If you were to downshift to 4th (from 5th gear) while doing 50 mph you would want to blip the throttle and raise the rpm to 3000 rpm when making the shift.
Use your ears ;o)
clutch
blip throttle while making shift
release clutch
Say cruising in 4th gear your bike does 50 mph @ 3,000 rpm,
If you were to downshift to 4th (from 5th gear) while doing 50 mph you would want to blip the throttle and raise the rpm to 3000 rpm when making the shift.
Use your ears ;o)
clutch
blip throttle while making shift
release clutch
Last edited by ynots; May 25, 2010 at 11:04 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: nfl
excuse my thread jacking but has anyone taken the intermediate and or advance course? ive been thinkin about signing up but im just curious as to how much ill get outta it... dont get me wrong i can throw my bike around with confidence and what i like to think of as skill but you i feel you can always learn.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
Disengage clutch and release throttle at the same time.
Downshift.
Engage clutch and roll-on throttle at same time. Just like you're making a standing start. You'll get the feel of it.
Most of us have done it so many times we don't even think about it. Every clutch and every throttle react differently. Every time I buy a new vehicle with a standard shift, I have to get little used to it. So does everybody else.
Downshift.
Engage clutch and roll-on throttle at same time. Just like you're making a standing start. You'll get the feel of it.
Most of us have done it so many times we don't even think about it. Every clutch and every throttle react differently. Every time I buy a new vehicle with a standard shift, I have to get little used to it. So does everybody else.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 1
From: A house.
excuse my thread jacking but has anyone taken the intermediate and or advance course? ive been thinkin about signing up but im just curious as to how much ill get outta it... dont get me wrong i can throw my bike around with confidence and what i like to think of as skill but you i feel you can always learn.
Will you get anything out of it? That depends on you. When I hear you saying you can throw your bike around with confidence, I wonder. A lot of it has to do with any bad habits you may have acquired, that need to be unlearned before new skills can be developed. Remember, most mishaps occur at slow speed. Then going wide in a curve, object fixation, poor brake utilization etc, etc. I suggest taking the adv course; I think it might provide really good experience. And, it's fun.To the op, practice matching engine rpm to transmission speed. In other words, to downshift, squeeze the clutch while rolling on throttle, tap shifter and release clutch. When done properly, the initial feel is neither acceleration or deceleration. Roll more throttle (passing) less throttle (engine braking.)
Someone missed an entire chapter if the class they attended didn't cover wet - paint stripes, railroad tracks, manholes etc...
Last edited by clicker01; May 26, 2010 at 01:41 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
by raising the rpms crackin the throttle you place less load bearing pressure on the clutch.
dropping gears then releasing the clutch without giving it a lil gas will cause undue chug a lug on the clutch. i mean it isnt gonna blow your motor, but in the long run, it can have some issues.
dropping gears then releasing the clutch without giving it a lil gas will cause undue chug a lug on the clutch. i mean it isnt gonna blow your motor, but in the long run, it can have some issues.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
excuse my thread jacking but has anyone taken the intermediate and or advance course? ive been thinkin about signing up but im just curious as to how much ill get outta it... dont get me wrong i can throw my bike around with confidence and what i like to think of as skill but you i feel you can always learn.
i took it.....my job offered it..
wait till you gotta speed brake at 60 mph.. fawkkk im still scared **** less over that.
best thing to learn is how to clutch drive, with out using brakes.. its an amazing skill, alot of learn it by just riding, but for new riders to learn how to clutch drive is an amazing lesson and skill to learn early