Downshifting Problems
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,307
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
When this happens again, let the clutch out a tad until you feel it engaging...then try to downshift. Still guessing your clutch needs a tad adjustment, but you should still have ability to downshift by jockeying gearshift & clutch as standstill. No worries - after awhile you'll be shifting up/down in auto-pilot...try to get used to using bike's tranny to aid in stopping (e.g. downshift through the gears vs. coasting). Enjoy that ride - you earned it!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 320
Likes: 21
From: Central Iowa
Rode my sporty for 12 years and this would happen every time if I didnt downshift while coming to a stop. Yes proper technique would be to downshift but during times of making a hard stop sometimes you just do not have the time to completly downshift. As stated above, letting the clutch out a tad does the trick.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 3
From: Montclair, CA.
Another trick is to rock the bike back and forth with the clutch in and lightly pressing down on the shifter, usually pushing backward when at a stop is easier than forward. You can try this in your drive way away from traffic to get the feel of it.
These A$$holes on here love to jump in and criticize and see the reaction they get, sort of a head game, so they can compensate for their tiny manhood.
Also, welcome to the forums and the new bike.
These A$$holes on here love to jump in and criticize and see the reaction they get, sort of a head game, so they can compensate for their tiny manhood.
Also, welcome to the forums and the new bike.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
The Real World Skool of Hard Knocks where you don't get to ride a 2015 Harley until you have worked your way up, and learnt the basic basics before posting on a forum asking how to change down when you are clearly not worthy of sitting on a brand new ride , let alone riding it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And if this offends you then I don't give a ****.
And if this offends you then I don't give a ****.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
Anything that teaches you how to down shift before you stop at a junction.
Actually when I was 17 and had just passed my test, the training company I went with asked if I'd train as an instructor, which I did, as they said I had the right mental attitude and aptitude to train other people wishing to gain a full licence.
That was a LONG time ago, and things have changed a LOT.
But, the fact that someone can rock up on a brand new Harley without a clue, still annoys me. It wouldn't have happened when I was teaching.
I guess I am still of the opinion that riding a Harley is EARNED and not given because you have money.
Actually when I was 17 and had just passed my test, the training company I went with asked if I'd train as an instructor, which I did, as they said I had the right mental attitude and aptitude to train other people wishing to gain a full licence.
That was a LONG time ago, and things have changed a LOT.
But, the fact that someone can rock up on a brand new Harley without a clue, still annoys me. It wouldn't have happened when I was teaching.
I guess I am still of the opinion that riding a Harley is EARNED and not given because you have money.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Holiday, FL
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,098
Likes: 13,031
From: Texas, USA
Rode my sporty for 12 years and this would happen every time if I didnt downshift while coming to a stop. Yes proper technique would be to downshift but during times of making a hard stop sometimes you just do not have the time to completly downshift. As stated above, letting the clutch out a tad does the trick.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
Yes you are right.
The motorcycling future is destined to be full of corporate working men who only wear their pristine leathers for the occasional weekend ride when the weather is fine and their wives allow them time to go out on their toy motorcycles after they have taken care of their weekend chores and cut the grass and played with their 2.5 children, for they are the only ones that can afford the price tags and service costs of new harley davidson motorcycles and by then the world will have forgotten the biker who uses his ride as his daily transport and knows the difference between a push rod and a pushchair, or has to ask the Harley Forum how to down change at a stop sign.
Long Live the new era of harley owner for he is the future of the Moco and will keep Harley Davidson solvent long into the new age.
The motorcycling future is destined to be full of corporate working men who only wear their pristine leathers for the occasional weekend ride when the weather is fine and their wives allow them time to go out on their toy motorcycles after they have taken care of their weekend chores and cut the grass and played with their 2.5 children, for they are the only ones that can afford the price tags and service costs of new harley davidson motorcycles and by then the world will have forgotten the biker who uses his ride as his daily transport and knows the difference between a push rod and a pushchair, or has to ask the Harley Forum how to down change at a stop sign.
Long Live the new era of harley owner for he is the future of the Moco and will keep Harley Davidson solvent long into the new age.