Accelerating, changing gears: Difference between revisions

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There are two kinds of downshifting: downshifting to slow down, and downshifting to speed up.

When slowing down, you should ride your current gear to about 4k, then quickly kick it down as you pull in the clutch and blip (quickly open a bit) the throttle; this will bring the revs back up to about 4500, which you can again ride down a bit before going down to a lower gear. Using this method, you can stop more quickly, and will not encounter a jolt. When you slow down from 60 mph, kick down a gear every few seconds ~~until~~ you~~'re~~ in ~~3rd, at which point~~ you~~'ll usually be doing about 10 mph or less~~, and ~~can pull in the clutch~~ to ~~drop down~~ the ~~last few gears as you come to a stop~~. ~~With practice~~ you can ~~put it back~~ in ~~neutral before putting your foot down~~.

When slowing down, you should ride your current gear to about 4k, then quickly kick it down as you pull in the clutch and blip (quickly open a bit) the throttle; this will bring the revs back up to about 4500, which you can again ride down a bit before going down to a lower gear. Using this method, you can stop more quickly, and will not encounter a jolt. However, try to use the brakes (instead of the engine) for the majority of your slowing force.

When you slow down from 60 mph, kick down a gear every few seconds. It is recommended that you always stay in "escape gear"; keep your eyes on the mirrors for forgetful people behind you, as well as those in front and to the side. Be in the proper gear so that you can accelerate away from any approaching danger. Along the same lines, stay in first gear while stopped at a light.

When accelerating, you can pretty much downshift whenever you want a power boost. However, downshifting when doing anything over 11k rpm is pretty pointless, as you're already in your powerband. You want to try to downshift to keep revs between 9 and 12k; this is where you get the most tug for each twist of the wrist. You should to let off the throttle momentarily while quickly disengaging the clutch and kicking it down, then opening the throttle up wide to match engine speed as you release the clutch lever again; this will give you the power you need to accelerate effectively.

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 There are two kinds of downshifting: downshifting to slow down, and downshifting to speed up.
-When slowing down, you should ride your current gear to about 4k, then quickly kick it down as you pull in the clutch and blip (quickly open a bit) the throttle; this will bring the revs back up to about 4500, which you can again ride down a bit before going down to a lower gear. Using this method, you can stop more quickly, and will not encounter a jolt. When you slow down from 60 mph, kick down a gear every few seconds until you're in 3rd, at which point you'll usually be doing about 10 mph or less, and can pull in the clutch to drop down the last few gears as you come to a stop. With practice you can put it back in neutral before putting your foot down.
+When slowing down, you should ride your current gear to about 4k, then quickly kick it down as you pull in the clutch and blip (quickly open a bit) the throttle; this will bring the revs back up to about 4500, which you can again ride down a bit before going down to a lower gear. Using this method, you can stop more quickly, and will not encounter a jolt. However, try to use the brakes (instead of the engine) for the majority of your slowing force.
+When you slow down from 60 mph, kick down a gear every few seconds. It is recommended that you always stay in "escape gear"; keep your eyes on the mirrors for forgetful people behind you, as well as those in front and to the side. Be in the proper gear so that you can accelerate away from any approaching danger. Along the same lines, stay in first gear while stopped at a light.
 When accelerating, you can pretty much downshift whenever you want a power boost. However, downshifting when doing anything over 11k rpm is pretty pointless, as you're already in your powerband. You want to try to downshift to keep revs between 9 and 12k; this is where you get the most tug for each twist of the wrist. You should to let off the throttle momentarily while quickly disengaging the clutch and kicking it down, then opening the throttle up wide to match engine speed as you release the clutch lever again; this will give you the power you need to accelerate effectively.