Down Shifting?
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 265
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Down Shifting?
2009 RK 103ci.
What is the proper way to approach a stop with regards to down shifting or not? I have a habit of doing shifting and using the motor as a brake. A couple times today I must have tried to go into 1st while going too fast because it wouldnt go and it sounded like trying to shift a manual trans car without using the clutch or missing a shift. Not a good sound.
Should I not downshift or just not go all the way down to 1st?
What is the proper way to approach a stop with regards to down shifting or not? I have a habit of doing shifting and using the motor as a brake. A couple times today I must have tried to go into 1st while going too fast because it wouldnt go and it sounded like trying to shift a manual trans car without using the clutch or missing a shift. Not a good sound.
Should I not downshift or just not go all the way down to 1st?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Nothing wrong with downshifting as long as your speed and engine RPM are appropriate for the gear you're going into. I can shift mine into first gear smoothly at 35 MPH. It's simply a matter of matching the engine rpm to your speed with a blip of the throttle. If you just pull in the clutch and let the engine idle then you need to be going pretty slow before trying to downshift to first.
It's not really a question of whether or not it's proper to downshift... It's a matter of riding styles and conditions. But if you're grinding on downshifts, then you should probably alter your style or practice blipping the throttle while downshifting.
It's not really a question of whether or not it's proper to downshift... It's a matter of riding styles and conditions. But if you're grinding on downshifts, then you should probably alter your style or practice blipping the throttle while downshifting.
Last edited by 2black1s; Jul 7, 2012 at 09:26 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,301
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From: Biloxi, MS
Always be in the proper gear for the speed you are doing... in case you have to abort the stop and make evasive maneuvers, you'll be ready to roll.
You don't want to go all the way down from 6 to 1 after coming to a complete stop.
You don't want to go all the way down from 6 to 1 after coming to a complete stop.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 576
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From: Southern Maine
I never let the clutch out in first as I'm coming to a stop. Downshifting from 5th to fourth or 4th to 3rd is probably not to bad if you are within the right speed/rpm range. On the other hand it's a lot cheaper to replace brake pads than risk messing up your engine.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 806
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From: Carquinez Straights - Northern CA
Downshifting , like in a car is OK and preferred when coming to a stop. As stated, it places you in a gear that provides adequate throttle response if the need arises for evasive action.
I do not however, downshift to first to slow down. Shift to first only on the roll with the clutch disengaged, using the brakes to complete my stop.
I do not however, downshift to first to slow down. Shift to first only on the roll with the clutch disengaged, using the brakes to complete my stop.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
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Nothing wrong with downshifting as long as your speed and engine RPM are appropriate for the gear you're going into. I can shift mine into first gear smoothly at 35 MPH. It's simply a matter of matching the engine rpm to your speed with a blip of the throttle. If you just pull in the clutch and let the engine idle then you need to be going pretty slow before trying to downshift to first.
It's not really a question of whether or not it's proper to downshift... It's a matter of riding styles and conditions. But if you're grinding on downshifts, then you should probably alter your style or practice blipping the throttle while downshifting.
It's not really a question of whether or not it's proper to downshift... It's a matter of riding styles and conditions. But if you're grinding on downshifts, then you should probably alter your style or practice blipping the throttle while downshifting.
My habit came from my AMA class where they teach shifting to 1st as you stop so you can get out of the way in case the guy behind you doesnt. It make a lot of sense that brake pads are a lot cheaper than an engine.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 686
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From: Central Wisconsin
I usually slow down letting the engine/rpms get to about 2K, downshift and the rpms go to about 2500 or so, slow to 2K, downshift and keep doing this only to 2nd. As I slow down in 2nd and know for sure that I am going to stop, I hold the clutch in and apply the brakes, down shift to first still holding the clutch in, let off the rear brake, deploy the landing gear and come to a stop using only the front brake. I figure that no matter what gear I am in and I am between 2000 - 2500 rpms, I can roll on the throttle if needed and am well within matching road speed with engine speed.
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City riding I engine brake going into a stop. I leave it in either the gear I was already in and just let off the throttle or downshift into second and let it roll until I am close to needing to stop,then clutch in and downshift into first.
As I approach the intended stop I will keep it in first gear in case I need to avoid something from behind or I need to do dome evasive maneuvers.
I've used the engine to brake on every manual transmission I've ever owned so I don't see why the bike would be any different
Just don't go in to too low a gear and just let off the clutch. You can cause a rear wheel skid or worse,over rev.
As I approach the intended stop I will keep it in first gear in case I need to avoid something from behind or I need to do dome evasive maneuvers.
I've used the engine to brake on every manual transmission I've ever owned so I don't see why the bike would be any different
Just don't go in to too low a gear and just let off the clutch. You can cause a rear wheel skid or worse,over rev.