General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Downshift Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 11:20 AM
  #11  
Dyna_Soar's Avatar
Dyna_Soar
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Downshift Question

ORIGINAL: Tripper

That's called double clutching\\\\\\; I used to do it with older model cars without synchro rings.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; One had to do that not to grind the gears.
&nbsp\\;
That's not "double clutching". Double clutching is when you momentarily let out the clutch in neutral between shifts in order to match up the gear speed and avoid the gear crunch with non-syncro transmission. What he is describing is actually the way you are supposed to downshift to avoid jerking the bike around (or a car, for that matter)
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 11:44 AM
  #12  
kk6pg's Avatar
kk6pg
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 22
From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
Default RE: Downshift Question

There's nothing wrong with blipping the throttle during a downshift. There's a whole bunch of parts on your bike saying "thank you", and are looking to last a lot longer because of it.
Besides, it sounds cool, and thats reason enough.
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 11:50 AM
  #13  
Bossman1's Avatar
Bossman1
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 0
From: Inverness FL
Default RE: Downshift Question

Thats the correct way..Listen to the pipes!!!
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 02:40 PM
  #14  
Sam Handwich357's Avatar
Sam Handwich357
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Downshift Question

I do the same thing.&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 02:42 PM
  #15  
txfxstrider's Avatar
txfxstrider
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
Default RE: Downshift Question

You are not causing any harm but it is not necessary with modern transmissions. That was the way it worked in the old, old days before synchronized gears. [8D]
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 03:23 PM
  #16  
BobbyD's Avatar
BobbyD
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Default RE: Downshift Question

Guilty myself, I do it all the time.
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 03:27 PM
  #17  
ILTim's Avatar
ILTim
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Downshift Question

Rev matching:
Clutch disengaged
Downshift
blip throttle (to match engine speed to road speed at new gear ratio)
clutch engaged
&nbsp\\;
Double clutching:
Clutch disengaged
shift to neutral
throttle to match revs
briefly engage clutch in neutral
shift to lower gear
still on throttle
engage clutch
&nbsp\\;
Double clutching is completely unnecasary in a car, modern transmissions have great syncro's.&nbsp\\; Its impossible on a bike.&nbsp\\;
&nbsp\\;
Rev matching is the only correct way to do things.&nbsp\\; If you do NOT give a little throttle, you'll have to slip the clutch and let the rear wheel(s) spin the motor up to speed.&nbsp\\; If you snap the clutch out it will jerk the vehicle around.&nbsp\\; In any case, it is the drivers responsibility to keep the engine and road speed well matched during shifts.&nbsp\\;
&nbsp\\;
Naturally, you can go too far, and rev the crap outta the engine during a downshift which is as bad (or worse, if you have any power at all) as giving no throttle.&nbsp\\; On my bike if I'm downshifting normally I BARELY give it any gas, a good healthy audible blip is only neccasary if I'm dropping gears way early 'cause I'm feeling a little frisky.&nbsp\\;
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 04:02 PM
  #18  
Fat Henry's Avatar
Fat Henry
Road Warrior
20 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Adel Iowa
Default RE: Downshift Question

ORIGINAL: huffhuff

used to have to drive '60s deuce and a halfs that way.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; LOL.
Ever turn the ignitions off on these thing going down the road for 15-20 seconds and then turn it back on? Big loud bang sent more than more than one person into a duck walk. Lucky I didn't get shot at.
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
Been blipping for a long time now no problems noted..
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 04:11 PM
  #19  
eddie31770's Avatar
eddie31770
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 274
Likes: 10
From: Danbury CT
Default RE: Downshift Question

ORIGINAL: JBaker421

Just pull the clutch, shift down and add a little gas as you gently let the clutch out.
Exactly what I do
 
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 05:49 PM
  #20  
JKK's Avatar
JKK
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 547
Likes: 1
From: Republic Of Texas
Default RE: Downshift Question

ditto
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:04 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE