I have some beginner's questions to ask

[xlibrax]

1. Do you always have to start the gear from 1st? If so, why and why not 2nd or 3rd gear

2. Which step is the right one for gear shifting.
1. Pull in clutch
2. Throttle off
3. Shift gear

Or

1. Throttle off
2. Pull in clutch
3. Shift gear


3. At which gear do you have to let go of the clutch smoothly? From What i know is it's 1st gear.

4. I'm having a bit trouble with downshifting..I have seen most of the videos from youtube but I don't get it. For example, you have to match the rpm with the engine speed and inorder to do that "blip" the throttle?? What is this mean?


This post might be little messy because i'm writing from my phone. Sorry about that.

[Hitcher]

The clutch, gears and throttle are overrated, particularly when combined.

Try jamming the throttle open at about 4,000rpm. That will be one thing less for you to think about. You'll be surprised at how much simpler riding will be.

And brakes. Also overrated. Motorcycling is all about going, not stopping.

[LBD]

1. Do you always have to start the gear from 1st? If so, why and why not 2nd or 3rd gear

This post might be little messy because i'm writing from my phone. Sorry about that.

Find an experienced coach....

[FROSTY]

Get you bike to a wide open space and practice. Youll find the answers to your questions pretty fast.

[Berries]

Find an experienced coach....
A decent one will start from second gear. Shit for parking though.

[Teflon]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mO69wp5yeBQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Madness]

Tip #1: The key to mastering the art of riding a motorcycle will not be found on your phone. It's not an App.

[Aristocat]

1 - You could start from 2nd or higher on some bikes, depending on gearing. I have never started from any gear other than first; but then, my first gear goes to 150 km/hr plus.

2 - All of the above, at the same time. You pull in the clutch as you throttle off as you shift gear.

3 - The lower the gear/speed, the more noticeable your clutch action will be. Same as a car. I tend to give it a fair bit of clutch slip in first; by 6th you're just in and out.

4 - Blipping is the action of giving the bike a handful of throttle as the clutch is in whilst you're downshifting. It becomes second nature after a while. If you don't, in some circumstances (assuming you don't have a slipper clutch) the rear wheel will chatter or lock. It'll sort itself out; but most of us want to increase traction, so the blip is the go. More important the further up the revs you are; not so important at low revs.

Sounds like you need to get the hang of clutch and throttle; i.e. the basics. Practice, practice, practice. Especially where there aren't other distractors; i.e. a carpark or deserted back road.

What bike do you have?

[xlibrax]

1 - You could start from 2nd or higher on some bikes, depending on gearing. I have never started from any gear other than first; but then, my first gear goes to 150 km/hr plus.

2 - All of the above, at the same time. You pull in the clutch as you throttle off as you shift gear.

3 - The lower the gear/speed, the more noticeable your clutch action will be. Same as a car. I tend to give it a fair bit of clutch slip in first; by 6th you're just in and out.

4 - Blipping is the action of giving the bike a handful of throttle as the clutch is in whilst you're downshifting. It becomes second nature after a while. If you don't, in some circumstances (assuming you don't have a slipper clutch) the rear wheel will chatter or lock. It'll sort itself out; but most of us want to increase traction, so the blip is the go. More important the further up the revs you are; not so important at low revs.

Sounds like you need to get the hang of clutch and throttle; i.e. the basics. Practice, practice, practice. Especially where there aren't other distractors; i.e. a carpark or deserted back road.

What bike do you have?


Hi,
Thanks for your comment and I have suzuki fxr150.
so.. I need to practice and practice and practice.

It would be really nice to have someone who knows when practicing but I'm the only one around me who rides bike.. :(

[Subike]

can you ride a push bike mate?

If so stick to that on the street..

go to RIDER TRAINING SCHOOL

and you might live

[Tigadee]

Xlibrax - It happens almost all at once but it's clutch and throttle off, then shift.

Some throttle off only and then shift but that works only for shifting up, not down.

[MSTRS]

Master the basics before you try any of the 'fancy' stuff.
For moving off...
Clutch in, click into first, slowly release clutch lever as you open the throttle, move off. Road speed builds and you shift up to suit....clutch in/throttle off together, click up into second. Release clutch lever and open the throttle to continue acceleration. Rinse and repeat.
For slowing down...
Changing down - clutch in, throttle off, click down a gear. Release clutch, but leave throttle closed. Rinse and repeat.
For sharper acceleration (or a steepening road)...
Changing down - as above BUT open the throttle when the clutch is released. If the gear you're in still isn't right - rinse and repeat.
Some bikes change down a little better if you blip the throttle. All this means is when the clutch is in, you give the throttle a quick upwards twist as you press down on the gear lever.
You have a FXR - rear wheel lockup when changing down is extremely unlikely, unless your revs are very high for your road speed, and you're going from 2nd to 1st on a wet road, AND the rear wheel is on a painted line at the moment of clutch release.

[HenryDorsetCase]

definitely pull clutch in THEN Throttle off.

nice trollage by the way: no newb is that NEW

[bogan]

definitely pull clutch in THEN Throttle off.

nice trollage by the way: no newb is that NEW

I dunno, as far as trolling goes that would be exceptionally piss-weak. Could well be somebody who is new to manual transmission vehicles and doesn't have anyone around to give them personal help.

In either case, I'd recommend finding someone to teach you, in a wide open area. Ideally a farmbike in a paddock.

[Old Steve]

Yeah, release the clutch slowly on first gear.

Bikes have "wet clutches", this means the clutch plates run in oil so will not burn out.

When riding slowly, like coming up behind cars at a roundabout, you can balance your foot brake and slipping the clutch so you ride as slowly as you need to to get to the give way line as a gap in the traffic occurs. Then dump the clutch, ramp the throttle open, grab second and you're through the roundabout just like that.

[Tricia1000]

Google andrew Templeton in Wellington, and invest some $$$$$ into your life span. Get some training...
P.s. You should've learnt how to change gear during your Basic Handling Skills.

[george formby]

definitely pull clutch in THEN Throttle off.

nice trollage by the way: no newb is that NEW


I disagrozzle. I'm teaching basics at the mo & what seems the simplest thing for me can be a mountain to climb for a complete novice. I'm learning a lot from the experience about perception & confidence.
Pulling away took a little time, too much focus on the throttle & not the clutch. Looking down at the front wheel = a stall. Looking where you want to ride & your off. It's a subtle thing.

[FJRider]

A very quiet back road to practice going up and down through the gears. Coming to a complete stop each time ... Repeat untill the cows come home ... and then some more ...

Practice DOES pay off ...

[Crusty_Junior]

1. Do you always have to start the gear from 1st? If so, why and why not 2nd or 3rd gear

2. Which step is the right one for gear shifting.
1. Pull in clutch
2. Throttle off
3. Shift gear

Or

1. Throttle off
2. Pull in clutch
3. Shift gear


3. At which gear do you have to let go of the clutch smoothly? From What i know is it's 1st gear.

4. I'm having a bit trouble with downshifting..I have seen most of the videos from youtube but I don't get it. For example, you have to match the rpm with the engine speed and inorder to do that "blip" the throttle?? What is this mean?


This post might be little messy because i'm writing from my phone. Sorry about that.


so , i dont know what is correct , but i pull clutch in as i let go of throttle , letting it slip back through my fingers , pull the shifter to the next gear up , then let the clutch back out an onto the gas.

1st is first for a reason , its the first gear you should use , that simple buddy

gears and smooth shifting , personally , from a motorsport background , I know that the smoother you shift , the better all round , try and be as smooth as possible with everything as much as you can

downshifting , i simply pull clutch in , push down to lower gear , blip the throttle and let the clutch out , blipping the throttle helps the engine meet the higher revving for the lower gear , guys drifting cars dont do this , and consequently , lock the rear wheels up , using the engines compression , short story , make it smooth , itll be quicker an easier

[SMOKEU]

1. Put the bike in 1st gear
2. Rev the bike to the redline.
3. Release the clutch as quickly as possible.
4. Call an ambulance.

[BMWST?]

1. Call an ambulance
2. Engage First gear
3. Rev the bike to the redline.
4. Release the clutch as quickly as possible.
.

fixt for ya

[MyGSXF]

As Tricia 1000 says: Get some professional training & learn how to do it properly!! :yes:

Call on Andrew Templeton (04) 232 0110 www.roadsafe.co.nz

Book in for the Learn to Ride & Basic Handling Skills Courses, which includes the BHS test required to get your learners motorcycle licence

Roadsafe are the contracted provider (by the Councils & ACC) of rider training courses for the Wellington region (as well as Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough & Hamilton). So once you have a licence & your own bike, you can attend full day professional training courses & it will only cost you approx $20! :banana:

There are too many self taught bikers on the road, & people who learn from Muppets! :facepalm:

Good quallity training will stay with you for life! :first:

[AllanC]

Definitely some training and find some back roads to just practice, practice, practice on. In terms of the throttle, clutch, gear thing - try not to think about it so much. If you think about it, you'll stuff it up. If you don't think about it, it'll happen:)

[cheshirecat]

1. Do you always have to start the gear from 1st? If so, why and why not 2nd or 3rd gear


.
Hi these youtubes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv_dlCrQQSs&feature=relmfu) - starting off and here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGtnXWxgLLg&feature=relmfu) re downshifting, are some of the better ones applicable for your situation. If its any help, I'd do a fair amount of low speed control stuff on your bike, empty car parks, enough so it becomes automatic and natural, so allow plenty of time.
Whatever you do stay inside your comfort envelope on the road. Good luck

[GrayWolf]

1. Do you always have to start the gear from 1st? If so, why and why not 2nd or 3rd gear

2. Which step is the right one for gear shifting.
1. Pull in clutch
2. Throttle off
3. Shift gear

Or

1. Throttle off
2. Pull in clutch
3. Shift gear


3. At which gear do you have to let go of the clutch smoothly? From What i know is it's 1st gear.

4. I'm having a bit trouble with downshifting..I have seen most of the videos from youtube but I don't get it. For example, you have to match the rpm with the engine speed and inorder to do that "blip" the throttle?? What is this mean?


This post might be little messy because i'm writing from my phone. Sorry about that.

Please do NOT follow the advice of posts like hitchers. It is so easy for the experienced to mock newbies. From reading your info you were/are a scooter rider, so used to a 'twist and go' vehicle.
As a 'self taught' rider from the buy it, stick L plates on it and ride it out the shop door school of survival. The best advice you are being given in this thread IS Andrew Templeton. My partner did the BHS course with him, and I watched a good section of it. He, put bluntly, knows his shit.

[Marmoot]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mO69wp5yeBQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Is it a ZX12 with a Hayabusa fairing, or a Hayabusa with a ZX12 tail?
A bit like transexual, don't you think?

[Marmoot]

1. Do you always have to start the gear from 1st? If so, why and why not 2nd or 3rd gear

2. Which step is the right one for gear shifting.
1. Pull in clutch
2. Throttle off
3. Shift gear

Or

1. Throttle off
2. Pull in clutch
3. Shift gear


3. At which gear do you have to let go of the clutch smoothly? From What i know is it's 1st gear.

4. I'm having a bit trouble with downshifting..I have seen most of the videos from youtube but I don't get it. For example, you have to match the rpm with the engine speed and inorder to do that "blip" the throttle?? What is this mean?


This post might be little messy because i'm writing from my phone. Sorry about that.

1. You can start from 2nd/3rd if your bike has enough power, but seriously do you like climbing stairs by jumping up to the middle first, or do you simply climb up from the bottom like normal people do?

2. Throttle off, pull in clutch, shift gear. But practice until you can do it quickly and smoothly. They are not 3 separate steps. They are 3 elements strung together in harmony.

3. Any gear.

4. When learning, stick to low-mid rpm (best not to go over 5k-6k) so it's easy to learn downshifting without having to blip. Once you are good, then you can learn to blip.

And yeah, find an instructor. Shifting is only a small part of learning to ride.

For a post written on a phone, it's actually quite well written. Capitalised, punctuated, and all.

[Whisper]

Everybody rides different pal....get some training and find your own method.