Blipping, tell me why I am wrong

[pritch]

If you started a thread asking how many KBers do clutchless shifts the same respondants would be on it claiming that is all that they do, such is life at KB, pass me the salt.

Probably true. Clutchless up, blipping down. No problem.

[Coldrider]

Probably true. Clutchless up, blipping down. No problem.

and I am not a blipper.

[Movistar]

OP what I'd like to see is you on a 80/85cc two stroke trailee or a 125cc road race bike. You will then learn something not really talked about much on KB Its called clutch control. I feel that is a heck of a lot more important skill to learn than this whole blipping thing.
Feeling through the fingers of your left hand what the clutch is doing.
I guess I'm from a world where there was a real possibility of a chernoble at any time so learning clutch control was essential. Saved me a truck load of lost skin thats certain

I'm with you Frosty.

Although I do tend to blip, (wouldn't it be interesting to substitute 'blip' for another word in this thread; f*%k maybe...) sometimes it's not ncessary.
Why is it not necessary sometimes?
Because you can 'feel' it's not needed.
How do you feel it?
Through feedback from your clutch lever.

Hard to really explain. You just know when it's required, and I guess how much.
Sometimes I double blip (f&%k) and I don't know why, I just do.

[Headbanger]

On my H-D it was mandatory, Not to avoid rear lock up but to ensure it went into gear, Selecting one of its 32 neutrals while bearing down on a corner was always a heart-pumping maneuver.

[Coldrider]

Never used a gearbox for an anchor (braking), I believe the three rotors it has were designed for that, never changed down causing the engine to rev up or back wheel to skip or lock up, being an ex enduro rider it was all about being at the correct gear at the exact time.

[Headbanger]

You have never used engine braking?

Wow, Just wow.

[blackdog]

double wow

(finding it hard to comprehend actually)

bet you chew brake pads

[steve_t]

(finding it hard to comprehend actually)

Me too

[pritch]

Every text I have ever read that covered changing down mentions the importance of matching the engine revs to your speed. The method of doing this is to "blip" the throttle as you change down.

I have here Sport Riding Techniques by Ienatch, Smooth Riding the Pridmore Way, and Performance Riding Techniques by Ibbott, among others, all those mentioned cover the importance of smooth down changes, and all describe the correct technique as requiring a blip of the throttle.

Sitting at the end of the main straight at Phillip Island you still hear Rossi and Co going blip blip too, slipper clutches and all.

OK, so a few guys on KB say they're all wrong? I don't think so Tim.

[Headbanger]

Just goes to show, There is more to life then just whats in books.

After 30 years on bikes and knowing my bike as well as I do, why would it matter if I don't need to follow the method laid down by the experts in the field? That's not saying they are wrong, In fact from their position of technical writing they are probably right as far as writing books is concerned.

The fact that it works beautifully for the situation is more then good enough for me, and of far more worth then whats in a book. I do exactly what the situation requires (to the best of my ability),But what I do is based on feedback at the time and on my current bike its simply not needed.

Perhaps if I was pushing her to the limit into corners.....

[Headbanger]

Just meditated on the concept...

Rather then just take the opposing position I'll elaborate.

Having not actively monitored my blipping I'd say that sometimes I do, Sometimes I don't, and sometimes I'd be making all sorts of micro adjustments to revs, travel speed,and clutch as I change gears.

But there are definity many situations/instances where its not required and no blipping takes place.

[oldguy]

Can you tell if these guys are? listening to them Haga did a couple of times. if its good enough for him its good enough for me

[avgas]

Every text I have ever read that covered changing down mentions the importance of matching the engine revs to your speed. The method of doing this is to "blip" the throttle as you change down.
I have here Sport Riding Techniques by Ienatch, Smooth Riding the Pridmore Way, and Performance Riding Techniques by Ibbott, among others, all those mentioned cover the importance of smooth down changes, and all describe the correct technique as requiring a blip of the throttle.
Sitting at the end of the main straight at Phillip Island you still hear Rossi and Co going blip blip too, slipper clutches and all.
OK, so a few guys on KB say they're all wrong? I don't think so Tim.

Haha the "I read it in a book so it must be right approach".......doesn't really fly with riding I have found (case and point counter steering).
As for matching engine revs.......well that is great if your not trying to un-match the engine revs - this technique is what the common folk call "Engine Braking".
Not trying to mock you or anything. Just stating that sometimes it is not all what is seems.
Ride your own ride and all will work out fine. As for me - I wont think about blipping or not blipping. I will do what is natural at the time.

[Deano]

Sitting at the end of the main straight at Phillip Island you still hear Rossi and Co going blip blip too, slipper clutches and all.

This is interesting because when I watch the MotoGP and from the bike cam, it doesn't sound like they are 'blipping' the throttle on downchanges. If anything, it sounds more like they 'hold' the throttle at high revs to match engine and wheel speed. Watching the rev counter seems to confirm this.

I've noticed with my racing that as I got faster and brake later, I don't have time to blip the throttle between downshifts (I don't seem to need to because they are very fast downchanges and the revs don't have time to drop), and also, when blipping the throttle, I found that my fingers were releasing the front brake a little each time.

So now it is all a lot more rapid. Brake hard and downchange quick with no blipping. I do use clutch control and slip it a little if in a slightly lower gear to avoid lock up at a couple of corners.

I always blip on the road.

[p.dath]

This is interesting because when I watch the MotoGP and from the bike cam, it doesn't sound like they are 'blipping' the throttle on downchanges. If anything, it sounds more like they 'hold' the throttle at high revs to match engine and wheel speed. Watching the rev counter seems to confirm this.

I've noticed with my racing that as I got faster and brake later, I don't have time to blip the throttle between downshifts (I don't seem to need to because they are very fast downchanges and the revs don't have time to drop), and also, when blipping the throttle, I found that my fingers were releasing the front brake a little each time.

So now it is all a lot more rapid. Brake hard and downchange quick with no blipping. I do use clutch control and slip it a little if in a slightly lower gear to avoid lock up at a couple of corners.

I always blip on the road.

My originl post was purely about the use of blipping while on the road. I don't understand the track technique enough to know how you achieve faster stopping there, but I still find it interesting that you blip on the road. I could reasonably believe that while on the track you would need a different technique to the road.
The vast majority of people on this thread say they do blip, a small minority say they use clutch slip, and a couple say they do neither.