Beginner Rider with a Question

[OdoyleRules]

I have an 06' R6 and just started riding 2 days ago. I have trouble shifting from first to second without the bike jerking and was wondering if I could get some tips? My riends have been riding for so long that it's second nature to em and they aren't good at explaining it. I try to watch em but they do it so quick I dont even notice it.

Second: I can however shift the gears up clean WITHOUT using the clutch, is this bad for the bike??

And let me just say, I'm 23 years old and 2 days ago was the first experience I EVER had with a clutch. Never drove anything without an automatic trans

[daralao84]

I just finished taking the MSF course and that question came up about the clutch. The clutch is an aid for shifting gears and if you want your bike to last, you should use the clutch. It is possible to shift without using the clutch but its bad for your bike. Plus it just makes it a whole lot easier to shift.

[OdoyleRules]

Do they teach you how to properly shift, cuz thats where my main problem lies. Im hoping to fully understand how to really "feather the clutch" by tomorrow. I spent an hour trying to get down how to start the bike off in first today without stalling

[Need2speed]

I am sure a bike is the same as car when it comes to this. The reason you ae jerking is because you are most likely at too low of an rpm and you are poping the clutch to quickly. Slow down on releasing the clutch and try to make it a smooth motion. Now if you are jerking on the take off it is because you are not giving enough gas for how quickly you are poping the clutch.

Also you could just pop the gear in without the clutch but the clutch is your aid to quicker smoother shifts. You will eventually start to ruin your synchros by not using the clutch. Well not ruin as much as wear them out quicker.

[YamahaFan]

If you're not an aggressive type (take off fast in first gear) put it in 2k-3k RPM range and slowly release the clutch (but not too slow that you'd lose the speed).

About using the clutch handle - make a habit of using it, otherwise it'd be bad if you make a mistake (like upshift instead of downshift), in fact, it looks cool that way

Hey, welcome!!

I’ve taught several people over the years how to drive a stick shift in a car. The same basic principals are involved in a bike.

The trick is to find where the “catch” is, i.e., at what point when you are releasing the clutch that your engine engages. What I would suggest to you is to practice this a bit. Just sit on the bike with it in gear and slowly, slowly, slowly release the clutch (without giving it throttle) and watch your tachometer. Your tach will start to dip a bit as the engine engages. Just practice for a while pulling it in and releasing it (not all the way, just till it starts to catch) until you get a feel for where your catch is. Once you start getting a good feel, start practicing giving it just a little throttle. Then just practice that initial start off; SLOWLY moving forward, pull the clutch back in, start again. It’s repetitive, I know, but has worked extremely well when I’ve taught others how to drive a stick.

Hope this helps. Good luck and ride safe!!!!

[OdoyleRules]

Yeah, everything everyone has told me helps. I did learn where the friction point was until my buddy adjusted it to be like his R1. So i had to re-learn it. Thankfully, the point where he adjusted it is actually easier for me to feel it. Like I said, 2 days ago was the first time i ever even saw a clutch so just getting used to it is a pain. Everyone else I know has classic cars obviously with a stick shift so a bike was easy to learn.

One last question, my buddy told me motorcycles have "wet clutches" so there much more resiliant to abuse. By me constantly practicing getting the bike started in first, will that hurt the bike?

I learned how to drive a clutch on a dirt bike when I was 13. So, I know it ain't easy Esp. dirt bikes can be tough because it was an old one and finding neutral on the thing was REALLY tricky.

Well, technically, you can not start a bike in first gear without holding the clutch in, so technically, you are starting it in neutral. At which point, I'm guessing that you're shifting into neutral to let it warm up a bit. So, no, that won't hurt your bike

[YamahaFan]

Or did you mean getting the bike started to roll? It might hurt a little, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

[OdoyleRules]

i meant that i kept stalling when trying to accelerate off the line in first gear. I think i got it down now. Its so much a give and take relationship (clutch and throttle). i think ill get it. reading only helps so much, its all about practice i now realize