Down Shifting
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: S Puget Sound
RE: Down Shifting
ORIGINAL: Pitts2112
Downshifting while you slow uses the engine compression to aid in braking. Saves on brake wear and keeps you more in control of th bike. Plus, it leaves you in a position to react to something if you need to accelerate back out of a situation.
One thing to think about when engine braking, though, is to engage a brake lever just enough to light the brake light. That way traffic behind you knows you're slowing. Otherwise people behind get no visual clues about your speed change. Bikes are so small that it takes longer to notice that they're getting bigger because you're gaining on them.
I ride with a friend who rides a Hornet. She's a real throttle jockey (pretty aggressive on accelarating and gets a hell of a lot closer to cars than I'm interested in). She does a lot of engine braking, too, and I've been caught out a few times catching up on her a little too quickly before I noticed she'd taken 10 mph off her speed. Just a tip from the Riders' Edge course I took last year.
Downshifting while you slow uses the engine compression to aid in braking. Saves on brake wear and keeps you more in control of th bike. Plus, it leaves you in a position to react to something if you need to accelerate back out of a situation.
One thing to think about when engine braking, though, is to engage a brake lever just enough to light the brake light. That way traffic behind you knows you're slowing. Otherwise people behind get no visual clues about your speed change. Bikes are so small that it takes longer to notice that they're getting bigger because you're gaining on them.
I ride with a friend who rides a Hornet. She's a real throttle jockey (pretty aggressive on accelarating and gets a hell of a lot closer to cars than I'm interested in). She does a lot of engine braking, too, and I've been caught out a few times catching up on her a little too quickly before I noticed she'd taken 10 mph off her speed. Just a tip from the Riders' Edge course I took last year.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
RE: Down Shifting
Thanks for the information, I always down shifted on my other bikes but somebody told me that it wears out the clutch so I thought I would ask.
And belive me the clankingwhen I shift I think you can hear it 100 yards away? My other bikes never sounded that loud, but this is my first Harley and I guess that is normale for them????
Wolvie
And belive me the clankingwhen I shift I think you can hear it 100 yards away? My other bikes never sounded that loud, but this is my first Harley and I guess that is normale for them????
Wolvie
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 0
From: Great Falls, Va.
RE: Down Shifting
ORIGINAL: wolverine66
I do it but somebody told me that i was no good for the bike.
Plus do you get a loud clanking noise when you shift up and down through all the gears?
I do it but somebody told me that i was no good for the bike.
Plus do you get a loud clanking noise when you shift up and down through all the gears?
[IMG]local://upfiles/48168/D237BDE41EA4486CB971C710CA6A6DCF.jpg[/IMG]
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,114
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
RE: Down Shifting
Yes if you don't bump the throttle.
No, if you bump the throttle to match rpm/gear ratio.
To be honest, I downshift more than I brake, that's the fastest way to stop.
No, if you bump the throttle to match rpm/gear ratio.
To be honest, I downshift more than I brake, that's the fastest way to stop.
ORIGINAL: wolverine66
Is down shifting bad for a bike when you are coming to a stop?
Is down shifting bad for a bike when you are coming to a stop?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Down Shifting
Yea, you need to keep the gears in a useful range to keep power, and you have to get down there anyway. no need to shift at the high rpm range as you will slow fast enough there. It is really embarassing if you forget to shift to first and stop and then try to take off in second or thire. Espedially if you were trying to do a hot rod take off and the engine dies! I had not heard about using the brake lightly and that is great advice. Learn something new here all the time. thanks Clunk, clunk, I will never forget ny first ride on a Harley, thought the bottom end was going to fall out.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth, TX
RE: Down Shifting
I think the highest gear I've successfully managed to take off from a stop was 3rd gear. Whoops! I THOUGHT I downshifted!
Fortunately, I was in no hurry to take off. Just gave it more throttle, and caught the friction zone just right. THAT is not good for the bike. It's a lot harder to downshift AFTER a stop than it is to downshift while you are stopping. As said, just try to keep it in the proper rpm/speed range, and blip the throttle a little as you are doing it, to keep the rear wheel from jerking.
Teek
Fortunately, I was in no hurry to take off. Just gave it more throttle, and caught the friction zone just right. THAT is not good for the bike. It's a lot harder to downshift AFTER a stop than it is to downshift while you are stopping. As said, just try to keep it in the proper rpm/speed range, and blip the throttle a little as you are doing it, to keep the rear wheel from jerking.Teek
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