reving when shifting
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Omaha, NE
Its called rev matching, so your rpms stay the same if im not mistaken. see below same for a bike and car
When changing up or down, avoiding any kind of shock loads through the transmission is essential, especially in a powerful car. When changing down, releasing the clutch rapidly can result in rapid forward weight transfers and in extreme cases, the driven wheels can lock. Use rev matching where possible to smooth out down changes, and release the clutch with mechanical sympathy in mind. When changing up, remember that a missed gear due to a rushed gear change is much worse than taking a little more care with the shifts. Never change gear mid-corner - when approaching a bend ensure you prepare by selecting a gear which will allow you to accelerate out
When changing up or down, avoiding any kind of shock loads through the transmission is essential, especially in a powerful car. When changing down, releasing the clutch rapidly can result in rapid forward weight transfers and in extreme cases, the driven wheels can lock. Use rev matching where possible to smooth out down changes, and release the clutch with mechanical sympathy in mind. When changing up, remember that a missed gear due to a rushed gear change is much worse than taking a little more care with the shifts. Never change gear mid-corner - when approaching a bend ensure you prepare by selecting a gear which will allow you to accelerate out
Last edited by hounddog1257; May 11, 2009 at 10:25 AM. Reason: more info
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: VA
Its called rev matching, so your rpms stay the same if im not mistaken. see below same for a bike and car
When changing up or down, avoiding any kind of shock loads through the transmission is essential, especially in a powerful car. When changing down, releasing the clutch rapidly can result in rapid forward weight transfers and in extreme cases, the driven wheels can lock. Use rev matching where possible to smooth out down changes, and release the clutch with mechanical sympathy in mind. When changing up, remember that a missed gear due to a rushed gear change is much worse than taking a little more care with the shifts. Never change gear mid-corner - when approaching a bend ensure you prepare by selecting a gear which will allow you to accelerate out
When changing up or down, avoiding any kind of shock loads through the transmission is essential, especially in a powerful car. When changing down, releasing the clutch rapidly can result in rapid forward weight transfers and in extreme cases, the driven wheels can lock. Use rev matching where possible to smooth out down changes, and release the clutch with mechanical sympathy in mind. When changing up, remember that a missed gear due to a rushed gear change is much worse than taking a little more care with the shifts. Never change gear mid-corner - when approaching a bend ensure you prepare by selecting a gear which will allow you to accelerate out
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 2
From: Clark County, WA
Because it's cool, that's why. 
Proper rev matching would be smoothly throttling up to the proper RPMs to match where they'd be after downshifting. However, like in the article hounddog1257 linked, "any increase in revs is better than none." So, just rev it quick, cuz it sounds cool , and you're good to go.
Proper rev matching would be smoothly throttling up to the proper RPMs to match where they'd be after downshifting. However, like in the article hounddog1257 linked, "any increase in revs is better than none." So, just rev it quick, cuz it sounds cool , and you're good to go.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
When Harley first made the balanced twin cam for the softails they tried to use the old evo tranny. It was then that they discovered that the vibrations from the evo were helping the tranny to shift and so they designed a new tranny for the balanced motors. If you have an evo you'll find that it's much easier to find neutral at a stop if you rev the motor a little as you're shifting. Old habits die hard.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 1
Never seen the point in "rev matching". I've found that by properly adjusting my speed to the traffic conditions, there is no need to rev the bike. I can down shift without any sudden shock load that would cause undue stress on my bike. My bike is quite loud and sounds cool enough when I accelerate through the gears that I don't feel the need for additional reving that will bring more unwanted attention to myself.
In short, I believe that it totally unnecessary unless one is doing some type of high performance driving, like on a track or something.
In short, I believe that it totally unnecessary unless one is doing some type of high performance driving, like on a track or something.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Never seen the point in "rev matching". I've found that by properly adjusting my speed to the traffic conditions, there is no need to rev the bike. I can down shift without any sudden shock load that would cause undue stress on my bike. My bike is quite loud and sounds cool enough when I accelerate through the gears that I don't feel the need for additional reving that will bring more unwanted attention to myself.
In short, I believe that it totally unnecessary unless one is doing some type of high performance driving, like on a track or something.
In short, I believe that it totally unnecessary unless one is doing some type of high performance driving, like on a track or something.
However riding a motorcycle for pleasure is also totally unnecessary.
