Having problems with downshifting..

Tina007 · 07-13-2012, 09:32 AM

I guess one of my many problems as a newbie is knowing when to downshift like for example when coming to a stop sign..do you pull in the clutch and change more than 1 gear with the clutch in are would you let off the clutch each time you change a gear?

goalie · 07-13-2012, 09:38 AM

Just hold the clutch in and downshift through all the gears at the same time.

Enjoy the ride!

Tina007 · 07-13-2012, 09:45 AM

Thanks guess I been doing that right..

SpitefulHam · 07-13-2012, 09:48 AM

Some people downshift one at a time as they slow, others don't. I usually do as I want to have the drivetrain engaged as much as possible in case I get in a situation that requires me to get out of the way fast. Knowing when to downshift in this manner just requires a little practice with your bike. For instance, my FZ6R is usually downshifted around 3-4K RPM, and when accelerating it's usually upshifted around 7-8k RPM. You just need to experiment a little to find the right spot to downshift without locking the rear.

Tina007 · 07-13-2012, 10:12 AM

Yeah I did try that but the bike didn't sound right, think I was doing it to soon but as a newbie its hard to look down at the RPM and keep your eyes on the road..

curtis41 · 07-13-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpitefulHam

Some people downshift one at a time as they slow, others don't. I usually do as I want to have the drivetrain engaged as much as possible in case I get in a situation that requires me to get out of the way fast. Knowing when to downshift in this manner just requires a little practice with your bike. For instance, my FZ6R is usually downshifted around 3-4K RPM, and when accelerating it's usually upshifted around 7-8k RPM. You just need to experiment a little to find the right spot to downshift without locking the rear.

On the 1600 cc Thunderbird cruiser, 2,000 rpm for downshifts works smoothly, all the way to a stop. If you get there a bit too quickly, just pull in the clutch and shift on down rapidly. After awhile, you can more or less tell from the engine sounds. Shift up at 3,000 rpm and above, seems to work well. Each bike will have its own range, but not hard to figure out. I too shift down engaged for the same reason, want to have drivetrain at the ready.

Tina007 · 07-13-2012, 11:56 AM

Yeah I guess its a good idea for safety reasons to be prepared for the unexpected..I will experiment with it today when I ride..thanks guys!

goalie · 07-13-2012, 12:53 PM

Tina:

If you are going through neighborhoods and coming to a stop sign, it is OK to simply pull in the clutch and downshift all the way. It sounds like you may be worried about the few moments of coasting. Don't over complicate the process.

It is different when you driving at higher speeds and approaching a stop sign from a distance. Then you would downshift in stages as you slowed over the distance.

Tina007 · 07-13-2012, 01:52 PM

I know it is complicating and confusing to me, everybody has there way of doing it. I only been riding for four days so that may explain it. Hopefully one day it will all come together..

RobMoore · 07-13-2012, 04:25 PM

Index and middle fingers on the clutch, squeeze it in a little as you blip the throttle slightly and click down the shift lever, then relax the fingers.

If you do it right, you won't feel the bike surge forward from the blip, nor will you feel it suddenly brake harder from letting the clutch out.

Did the bike surge forward? Less blip on the throttle

Did the bike slow with a sharp jerk? More blip on the throttle

Dodsfall · 07-13-2012, 05:50 PM

I never blip the throttle at all, and never had a problem with it. A "clunky" transmission may not get into gear without it, but one with decently-designed syncros shouldn't have an issue.

The secret to smooth down shifts is the same as smooth takeoffs. Don't dump the clutch.

Pull the clutch in, shift down a click, then let the clutch lever out smoothly.

distantThunder · 07-13-2012, 07:34 PM

it's OK to downshift thru multiple gears.
you just have to brake the right amount - so you match the correct speed for whatever gear you finish in. If you don't - ride is a bit bumpy. with practice, that goes away :-)

dT

Tina007 · 07-13-2012, 09:55 PM

Ok I went for a ride and tried all what y'all said to do..It all worked.. the blip ping caught me off guard a little tho. Maybe worked better if I was going way fast in a sport s bike. I found going faster on the open road and downshifting to match the speed was best, then at lower cruising speed I could just change more than one and smoothly enter my destination

goalie · 07-14-2012, 06:25 PM

Sounds like you've got it!

Tina007 · 07-14-2012, 11:23 PM

Yeah I am pretty damn proud of myself,,Its all coming to together, I went beyond my neighborhood on the open roads at a higher speed and it felt good.., the wind in my face and I wasn't the least bit nervous like I am usually am..

LadyVTXRider · 07-17-2012, 11:56 AM

It will all come together as you ride more, just like shifting in a car, at first you are a little jerky, but then as you gain experience, the shifting becomes smoother.

Tina007 · 07-19-2012, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyVTXRider

It will all come together as you ride more, just like shifting in a car, at first you are a little jerky, but then as you gain experience, the shifting becomes smoother.

Your right..just takes time and lots of practice .Its getting a lot smoother

.

07-13-2012, 09:32 AM	#1
Tina007 Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 31	Having problems with downshifting.. I guess one of my many problems as a newbie is knowing when to downshift like for example when coming to a stop sign..do you pull in the clutch and change more than 1 gear with the clutch in are would you let off the clutch each time you change a gear?

07-13-2012, 04:25 PM	#10
RobMoore Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Queen Anne's Posts: 619	Index and middle fingers on the clutch, squeeze it in a little as you blip the throttle slightly and click down the shift lever, then relax the fingers. If you do it right, you won't feel the bike surge forward from the blip, nor will you feel it suddenly brake harder from letting the clutch out. Did the bike surge forward? Less blip on the throttle Did the bike slow with a sharp jerk? More blip on the throttle Last edited by RobMoore; 07-13-2012 at 04:28 PM..

07-13-2012, 05:50 PM	#11
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,859	I never blip the throttle at all, and never had a problem with it. A "clunky" transmission may not get into gear without it, but one with decently-designed syncros shouldn't have an issue. The secret to smooth down shifts is the same as smooth takeoffs. Don't dump the clutch. Pull the clutch in, shift down a click, then let the clutch lever out smoothly. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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07-13-2012, 09:38 AM	#2
goalie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fairfax, Virginia -- near Fair Oaks Mall Posts: 1,596	Just hold the clutch in and downshift through all the gears at the same time. Enjoy the ride!

07-13-2012, 09:45 AM	#3
Tina007 Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 31	Thanks guess I been doing that right..

07-13-2012, 09:48 AM	#4
SpitefulHam Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Frederick, MD Posts: 315	Some people downshift one at a time as they slow, others don't. I usually do as I want to have the drivetrain engaged as much as possible in case I get in a situation that requires me to get out of the way fast. Knowing when to downshift in this manner just requires a little practice with your bike. For instance, my FZ6R is usually downshifted around 3-4K RPM, and when accelerating it's usually upshifted around 7-8k RPM. You just need to experiment a little to find the right spot to downshift without locking the rear.

07-13-2012, 10:12 AM	#5
Tina007 Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 31	Yeah I did try that but the bike didn't sound right, think I was doing it to soon but as a newbie its hard to look down at the RPM and keep your eyes on the road..

07-13-2012, 11:56 AM	#7
Tina007 Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 31	Yeah I guess its a good idea for safety reasons to be prepared for the unexpected..I will experiment with it today when I ride..thanks guys!

07-13-2012, 12:53 PM	#8
goalie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fairfax, Virginia -- near Fair Oaks Mall Posts: 1,596	Tina: If you are going through neighborhoods and coming to a stop sign, it is OK to simply pull in the clutch and downshift all the way. It sounds like you may be worried about the few moments of coasting. Don't over complicate the process. It is different when you driving at higher speeds and approaching a stop sign from a distance. Then you would downshift in stages as you slowed over the distance.

07-13-2012, 01:52 PM	#9
Tina007 Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 31	I know it is complicating and confusing to me, everybody has there way of doing it. I only been riding for four days so that may explain it. Hopefully one day it will all come together..

07-13-2012, 07:34 PM	#12
distantThunder Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 1,144	it's OK to downshift thru multiple gears. you just have to brake the right amount - so you match the correct speed for whatever gear you finish in. If you don't - ride is a bit bumpy. with practice, that goes away :-) dT

07-13-2012, 09:55 PM	#13
Tina007 Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 31	Ok I went for a ride and tried all what y'all said to do..It all worked.. the blip ping caught me off guard a little tho. Maybe worked better if I was going way fast in a sport s bike. I found going faster on the open road and downshifting to match the speed was best, then at lower cruising speed I could just change more than one and smoothly enter my destination

07-14-2012, 06:25 PM	#14
goalie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fairfax, Virginia -- near Fair Oaks Mall Posts: 1,596	Sounds like you've got it!

07-14-2012, 11:23 PM	#15
Tina007 Verified Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 31	Yeah I am pretty damn proud of myself,,Its all coming to together, I went beyond my neighborhood on the open roads at a higher speed and it felt good.., the wind in my face and I wasn't the least bit nervous like I am usually am..

07-17-2012, 11:56 AM	#16
LadyVTXRider Verified Join Date: May 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 82	It will all come together as you ride more, just like shifting in a car, at first you are a little jerky, but then as you gain experience, the shifting becomes smoother.