Gear changes, what am I doing wrong...

**Brownstoo** · 13th July 2009, 16:26

Yeah as said before, with il4s you need to keep the throttle on, and change down before the revs get too low.
Also a loose chain makes everything jerky so check that too.

**CookMySock** · 13th July 2009, 17:11

You can either :

Do big blips and change down keeping the revs way up.

Let the revs drop right back to around 3,000rpm ish or even lower, and just clutch and change down and release the clutch.

Throttle off from power back to just above coasting, so you have a microscopic amount of power on, and very quickly clutch, change down, and release the clutch, concentrating on not moving the throttle. If the engine revs too high, either change through and release the clutch quicker or use slightly less throttle. This takes a bit of getting right, but when you do it sounds super-fluid.

Low revs and little blips are hardest. Medium to higher revs and no blips (idling engine) are going to be rough, and might lock a tyre on a large vtwin in the wet.

Steve

**Drew** · 13th July 2009, 17:22

Coming up to a sharp turn, bang it back from top to second gear. Drop the clutch violently as you "stab" the back brake for a second. That'll set you up a bit sideways, to control this, use the FRONT brake, if it aint stepped out enough, get on the front brake a bit more. Too much stepout, let the brake go and hope ya haven't cocked it up.

Hope this helps.

And now for something, completely different...
Smooth comes when you are riding without conscious thought methinks, ironically though, it's an oxy moron to say, "stop thinking about it so much", since that is just one more thing you think about.

**Aaron_newrider** · 13th July 2009, 18:28

I have the same problem as you mate - usually from 3rd to 2nd and 2nd to 1st. Thanks for asking i'll try what the guys have said also

**GOONR** · 13th July 2009, 18:30

Originally Posted by Aaron_newrider

I have the same problem as you mate - usually from 3rd to 2nd and 2nd to 1st. Thanks for asking i'll try what the guys have said also

Nice to know I'm not the only one.

**zxr400#150** · 13th July 2009, 18:35

your not just dumping the clutch on the down shift are you?

**CookMySock** · 13th July 2009, 18:36

Originally Posted by Aaron_newrider

I have the same problem as you mate - usually from 3rd to 2nd and 2nd to 1st.

You shouldn't really do this on any bike. It's pretty hard on it, and un-necessary. Blap it down from from 6 to 5 to 4, and maybe to 3rd if you must, but blapping it down all the way to first will eventually stuff something.

If you are going all the way to first gear and stopping (or near stopping) then just pull the clutch in and click-click-click it down while doing walking speed, or better still skip first and tap it into neutral from 2nd.

Steve

**Aaron_newrider** · 13th July 2009, 18:39

Originally Posted by GOONR

Nice to know I'm not the only one.

Sweet as man - you're close to me (10-min ride ish) when I get my bike we should meet up for some learner fangs around the shore!

**sinfull** · 13th July 2009, 18:42

Ride down to my place tommorrow and when ya get here i'll send ya home again ! Pretty sure the problem will be solved by the time ya get there !

**Drew** · 13th July 2009, 18:46

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

You shouldn't really do this on any bike. It's pretty hard on it, and un-necessary. Blap it down from from 6 to 5 to 4, and maybe to 3rd if you must, but blapping it down all the way to first will eventually stuff something.

If you are going all the way to first gear and stopping (or near stopping) then just pull the clutch in and click-click-click it down while doing walking speed, or better still skip first and tap it into neutral from 2nd.

Steve

What? That's something you just thought up yeah?

Total dribble in my opinion, and I've opened more than my fair share of bike engines.

I've thrashed every bike I've ever owned, most of them not built for it, and never damaged a gear box by using all the cogs to slow down.

**GOONR** · 13th July 2009, 19:08

Originally Posted by zxr400#150

your not just dumping the clutch on the down shift are you?

Letting it out progressively, not just letting go altogether.

**GOONR** · 13th July 2009, 19:09

Originally Posted by sinfull

Ride down to my place tommorrow and when ya get here i'll send ya home again ! Pretty sure the problem will be solved by the time ya get there !

Yup I think your right, problem solved after a journey like that!

**mossy1200** · 13th July 2009, 19:33

Originally Posted by GOONR

Yup I think your right, problem solved after a journey like that!

I blip and change then let the clutch out as the blipped revs begin to fall.This seems to catch when the revs match the travel speed so that the they come together smooth and engine braking assists the slowing down.

**Pedrostt500** · 13th July 2009, 20:41

Ah come back in 5000 k,s and tell us how youre getting on, the only thing that will help you is exsperience, the only way to get it is to clock up the K's, so just get out there and ride the farking thing. And remember ride your own ride.