Question: Down Shifting for Torque
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
Yep, like others have said above, pull the clutch in, bipp the throttle and downshift. let out the clutch and, if you did it right, it should neither accel or decel, then apply the power as hard as you feel is necessary or, how much you want. After you get used to it it will become a completely normal thing to you, but the key is to get it so the bike doesn't jerk going up or down while shifting, smoooooth is gooood
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
On the freeway cruising.... pull clutch, downshift 2 or even three times....open the throttle wide, dump clutch and make big noises.
(Warning, do not attempt this at home or with your bike)
(Warning, do not attempt this at home or with your bike)
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: nfl
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
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
clicker01 thanks for the answers, i just looked up the advance class for my area and the next available is in september
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
maybe im using the wrong terminology for it.. but what im referring to is utilizing your clutch, to obviously speed up your bike, but to also slow it down, using less of your brakes in the process.
when your driving at slower speeds, instead of relying riding on your front and/ or rear brakes to slow you down, utlize the clutch and throttle to control your riding..
its great tool to learn, especially in slow turns and traffic, and that sort.
mind you, i understand they teach teach this in the beginner class, on how to use clutch shift, hrottle up, down shift, etc....
But its another ballgame when your in a group, ie.. Parades, runs, etc... and your milling along at like 20 mphs.
Its a good skill to master.
when your driving at slower speeds, instead of relying riding on your front and/ or rear brakes to slow you down, utlize the clutch and throttle to control your riding..
its great tool to learn, especially in slow turns and traffic, and that sort.
mind you, i understand they teach teach this in the beginner class, on how to use clutch shift, hrottle up, down shift, etc....
But its another ballgame when your in a group, ie.. Parades, runs, etc... and your milling along at like 20 mphs.
Its a good skill to master.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 12
This thread has become a how to downshift/match RPM thread. The original question was, "How to use downshifting to gain RPM/Torque?"
Kinda like when you floor a car and to get the other two barrels to open, or when you go into forth or third in a car to get the RPMs up when passing.
I thought I would try to get it back on track.
I don't know if the question has been specifically answered. I will have to go back over the thread. My guess from what I am hearing is just make sure RPMs on the motor match the speed to gear for what gear you are going in, and ease out the clutch.
Don't know. I know what to do in a car, but someone said that isn't right on a bike. I don't want to just downshift, and pop the clutch, but there has to be a proper way of using this technique with a motorcycle.
Kinda like when you floor a car and to get the other two barrels to open, or when you go into forth or third in a car to get the RPMs up when passing.
I thought I would try to get it back on track.
I don't know if the question has been specifically answered. I will have to go back over the thread. My guess from what I am hearing is just make sure RPMs on the motor match the speed to gear for what gear you are going in, and ease out the clutch.
Don't know. I know what to do in a car, but someone said that isn't right on a bike. I don't want to just downshift, and pop the clutch, but there has to be a proper way of using this technique with a motorcycle.
Last edited by editbrain; May 26, 2010 at 03:58 PM.
Stage I
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
A rider must feel the machine. There is no proper way to downshift or upshift, or when to pop the gas or blip it. You just feel when it's the right time to do it. Just ride, feel relaxed or aggressive(if you want to) and you won't be changing gears the same way. Enjoy it and stop asking yourself what to do. This is what freedom is all about.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 12
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
To address the question ... it will depend on your motor build (dyno curve) how much or even whether you will get more torque by downshifting to get higher RPM at the same vehicular speed ... but on most bikes (assuming you aren't at redline) you will get more power ....
At that point, twist the throttle and you should take off ....
I generally try to seamlessly downshift and then roll on ... how aggressively depending on the situation and what I'm trying to do ....
Since I switched to a primary belt drive, I find I do not 'loaf' (or lug) in a higher gear at lower RPM as much as I used to (with the compensator sprocket) ... I usually even wait to shift to 5th until I'm at around 50 - 70 (the latter as on an interstate on-ramp) ....
So, for example, if I was going 50 and want to be doing 70 instantaneously, I might downshift to 4th and twist hard ....
But, you may or may not get more torque by downshifting ... you will get more power and that's what will allow you to take off ....
R/
'Chop
At that point, twist the throttle and you should take off ....
I generally try to seamlessly downshift and then roll on ... how aggressively depending on the situation and what I'm trying to do ....
Since I switched to a primary belt drive, I find I do not 'loaf' (or lug) in a higher gear at lower RPM as much as I used to (with the compensator sprocket) ... I usually even wait to shift to 5th until I'm at around 50 - 70 (the latter as on an interstate on-ramp) ....
So, for example, if I was going 50 and want to be doing 70 instantaneously, I might downshift to 4th and twist hard ....
But, you may or may not get more torque by downshifting ... you will get more power and that's what will allow you to take off ....
R/
'Chop
Last edited by SURFOR Chop; May 26, 2010 at 10:19 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,231
Likes: 106
The technique is the same for braking as it is to down shift for acceleration.
A blip of the throttle to get the engine going the speed related to the lower gear, shift and an increase in throttle to accelerate, or back off the throttle to engine brake.
The problem is this it has to be a fluid motion of Throttle, Clutch and Shift. As I start to pull in the clutch I am already blipping the throttle. As soon as I feel the engine where I want it I start to shift and release the clutch, and twist open the throttle or back off the throttle. It kind of all happens at once.
You will know if you do it wrong. Trust me.