Downshifting Problems
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Montebello
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.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
well let me just say this fatboy, it sounds to me like u think that the new generation of "bikers" have to live up to certain expectations n stereotypes... i respectfully disagree. N wen i say respectfully i do mean that. Anyone that fires up a vtwin everyday deserves alot of respect. I didnt buy a harley because i have money or good credit n i wanted a toy for the weekend. I bought one because ive wanted one even before i knew wat it was. My big cousin came home one day (wen i was too young to remember how old i was) on big beautiful shovelhead n wen i heard that engine roar i thought it was like a space shuttle. N to respond to ur biker criteria i ride my bike everyday, i dont have any pristine leathers, i use hand me down gloves i got from my older bro, n a dickies work jacket. I dont have a desk job, i cut hair n its not a great well paying job. I dont even have good credit. Im just a young man from los angeles that had a goal to achieve. N everyday before i throw a leg over my softail i look at it n smile. Cuz its been a long process n i been wanting a bike for a long time. N im sure you looked at your first bike the same way i look at mine. Maybe i dont have as much time behind the bars but i wanted to ride just as much as the next man. So criticize all u want to brother, wen i ride past u on a highway one day ill tip my hat to u just the same way i do to all the other bikers i see on the rode!
Good for you mate. I hope you have many many happy years on the Harley.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 21
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From: Montebello
Thanks n i hope the same for u.. n thanks for the initial tips brother.. ride safe....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Hahaha Fatboy Slim is ranting about the stereotypes yet he just admits he's the guy that has to hang out at the Dealership every weekend. Get over yourself.
To the OP, congrats on the bike. Rock it or let the clutch out a tad to get the tranny to turn a little. That will allow you to downshift just as everyone else has said. There's nothing wrong with the bike. Ride it every chance you get and you'll pick up on all the small details. Get a service manual also. Skim through it and learn to do the easy things like an oil change. This will all help you out immensely in the future.
To the OP, congrats on the bike. Rock it or let the clutch out a tad to get the tranny to turn a little. That will allow you to downshift just as everyone else has said. There's nothing wrong with the bike. Ride it every chance you get and you'll pick up on all the small details. Get a service manual also. Skim through it and learn to do the easy things like an oil change. This will all help you out immensely in the future.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield, Illinois
Congrats on the new ride! I quit riding 30 years ago because of a bad accident that happened when i was young and dumb serving over seas in Germany.
The last few years since my kids are all big and gone I had the itch to ride again.
I knew once i got the itch a Harley was the ONLY bike that would do it for me!
I took the MSF coarse on a 250 Nighthawk and passed.
After getting my Motorcycle license i went right down to the dealer after looking at bikes for a few months before that and decided i wanted a low rider! Well i left with the Low Rider i was looking at for awhile and have been practicing riding the bike every chance i get.
Can i downshift with the best of them? Heck no! but i will get better and better just like everyone else who started riding or are first time riders. I respect all bikers and not just Harley riders
Do i think i DESERVED a Harley? Heck yeah! Just like i though i deserved my boat and my truck!
The last few years since my kids are all big and gone I had the itch to ride again.
I knew once i got the itch a Harley was the ONLY bike that would do it for me!
I took the MSF coarse on a 250 Nighthawk and passed.
After getting my Motorcycle license i went right down to the dealer after looking at bikes for a few months before that and decided i wanted a low rider! Well i left with the Low Rider i was looking at for awhile and have been practicing riding the bike every chance i get.
Can i downshift with the best of them? Heck no! but i will get better and better just like everyone else who started riding or are first time riders. I respect all bikers and not just Harley riders
Do i think i DESERVED a Harley? Heck yeah! Just like i though i deserved my boat and my truck!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
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 ****.
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
Congrats on the new ride!
One thing that was not mentioned, is that when shifting down, the shifter has to spring upwards before it can be pressed down again to engage the next gear. You cannot just continue to press down, it won't change gears. Pull the clutch in and press down, lift your foot and press down again. After you get use to it, it will be helpful when you have to downshift quickly to use your transmission to slow you down in case of emergency.
Don't mind the badgering, these are great guys that have a lot of knowledge and will help you along if you have issues. One thing to remember, use the search feature of the site before asking questions, as most questions have already been asked and answered.
Ride safe and welcome to the forum!
One thing that was not mentioned, is that when shifting down, the shifter has to spring upwards before it can be pressed down again to engage the next gear. You cannot just continue to press down, it won't change gears. Pull the clutch in and press down, lift your foot and press down again. After you get use to it, it will be helpful when you have to downshift quickly to use your transmission to slow you down in case of emergency.
Don't mind the badgering, these are great guys that have a lot of knowledge and will help you along if you have issues. One thing to remember, use the search feature of the site before asking questions, as most questions have already been asked and answered.
Ride safe and welcome to the forum!
Last edited by Gommee; Sep 21, 2015 at 09:03 PM. Reason: addition
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
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.
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.
I've been riding for 40+ years, but I guess I better put my new leather jacket in the clothes dryer on "extended tumble" cycle for a few days to put some accelerated wear on it, so you won't assume I'm a newby suburbanite desk jockey, and sneer at me.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 185
Likes: 3
From: Delta BC Canada
Downshifting
When I approach a red light I'm always thinking about getting into neutral when I'm at a stop so I can take my left hand off the bars and relax a bit even for a short time.I find that when approaching a stop like that the downshifting comes naturally.
Congrats on the DeLuxe.Stay cool,ride safe and there will be decades of good times.
Congrats on the DeLuxe.Stay cool,ride safe and there will be decades of good times.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 4
From: Pennsylvania
let your clutch out a bit till it starts to grab, rock your bike back and forth. That usually works for me. I think that is something that most everyone has done at one time or an other. Welcome to the forum