Blipping the throttle on downchanges?

[wattyfred89]

do it without thinking. doesnt take long to learn, its a MUST

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by muddi

But to be honest I have never cluncked into gear -only sound I get is the same sound as when I change up gear - (should I be blipping then too??) that comes from the pedal.

No. When changing up the rolling off the throttle for the change allows the engine to slow enough that the next gear's engine speed requirement, (which will be lower as the gear is higher), will probably be met by that alone.

Originally Posted by sinbad

What's so bad about being in the appropriate gear before you have finished braking?

Nothing, assuming the gear selected suits the speed.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

S bends where the second one is tighter are great challenge.

Whether road or track, the important bend in that circumstance is the second one, how the first bend would be taken in isolation is irrelevant, it's no longer truly a bend - it's a setting up area for the second.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Safest is to stay at home

Not necessarily:

Originally Posted by Me!

I think I'll stay at home put my feet up, maybe watch a bit of telly, if something exciting like motorbikes is on, I might get worried and upset myself, so, carefully now, none of that dangerous standing up I might fall, I'll get the remote and turn over, watch something soothing, like tellytubbies perhaps.
But I'd best not sit still too long, I could get DVT, and that would never do, perhaps I'll just go have a nice lie down, but wait, statistically most people die in bed, so that's best avoided, so what do I do? I know a nice cup of tea, but hang on that's fraught with danger, more injuries are received in the kitchen than anywhere else in the home, no surprise, all them sharp things, and hot water and cookers and gas and whatnot, but what now? I need a pee, I'm not going to the bathroom though, thats the second most risky room in the house.
F**k it, I think I'll go for a ride.

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Quote:
Originally Posted by muddi
But to be honest I have never cluncked into gear -only sound I get is the same sound as when I change up gear - (should I be blipping then too??) that comes from the pedal.

No. When changing up the rolling off the throttle for the change allows the engine to slow enough that the next gear's engine speed requirement, (which will be lower as the gear is higher), will probably be met by that alone.

I didn't actually mean that as real question I know you don't blip when your changing up lol

Interesting thread though - gone from whether to, and why, blip on slowing down, to braking or not, when going round corners.....

Hello all,

Well I was out today and gave it a go and tbh yes the gearchange was smoother but it took longer for me to slow the bike. aslo tried it in the car and again same thing. I drive a TDI and the engine breaking is pretty strong.

From what i'm reading it would seem that if i am racing through a country lane then perhaps it is worth doing. but would that be if i was going from 4th to 2nd ? i generaly slow in a smooth concice way and tend to go through evey gear on the way down.

Most of my jurnyes are in town so would not really require me to blip.

most of what i've read seems to point in the direction of someone going quick.

Originally Posted by Davadvice

Hello all,

Well I was out today and gave it a go and tbh yes the gearchange was smoother but it took longer for me to slow the bike. aslo tried it in the car and again same thing. I drive a TDI and the engine breaking is pretty strong.

From what i'm reading it would seem that if i am racing through a country lane then perhaps it is worth doing. but would that be if i was going from 4th to 2nd ? i generaly slow in a smooth concice way and tend to go through evey gear on the way down.

Most of my jurnyes are in town so would not really require me to blip.

most of what i've read seems to point in the direction of someone going quick.

I think the "need" to blip is purely determined by what the revs are going to be when you engage whichever gear it is you're about to engage. If whatever riding you're doing involves a gearchange which will send the revs toward the middle-upper reaches of the rev counter, then a blip to match revs and road-speed will significantly smoothen your journey and be far kinder to your bike.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Davadvice

From what i'm reading it would seem that if i am racing through a country lane then perhaps it is worth doing. most of what i've read seems to point in the direction of someone going quick.

Not so, it's always worth matching engine and gearbox speeds on gearchanges, up and down, whatever your pace. It gives better control over the bike and less wear on the clutch.

I don't understand what you mean by 'taking longer to slow down', by which I mean I'm not sure of what your technique/sequence of controls is, the clutch is NOT a brake, and it shouldn't be so used. The engine can give braking force - but this only happens when the clutch is engaged.

I find it a must just giving a little blip on the throttle, do it in the car if Im going a little quick, ive heard its recomended to help gearbox life as your matching revs to gearbox, so less strain on gearbox.

i ride fairly quick through town on my morning commute too, as its quite early in the day, and throttle blipping makes slowing for roundabouts far more controlled, but is best to not think about it, same as most motoring, just do it naturally and it flows better.

[jonny.boyd]

I've also started using this recently, and got to say it's a technique that i was never taught in all my training but does seem to make a bit difference to the ride! Am really liking the way the bike responds to it!

Another great bit of advise from the forum which makes me a better / smoother rider!

Originally Posted by leebex

I find it a must just giving a little blip on the throttle, do it in the car if Im going a little quick, ive heard its recomended to help gearbox life as your matching revs to gearbox, so less strain on gearbox.

i ride fairly quick through town on my morning commute too, as its quite early in the day, and throttle blipping makes slowing for roundabouts far more controlled, but is best to not think about it, same as most motoring, just do it naturally and it flows better.

Main issue with wear on a bike (IMO) is the chain and sprockets. I think this is the reason given in the Suzuki manual, which spurred me to trying the technique. I'd previously got on just fine, but it makes changing down at higher revs easier. The fact it sounds cool just proves I need to grow up!

resurecting this for a wee update.

I have been bliping the throttle for a wee while now and got to say that i am converted. i do feel that i'm riding faster than i was previosly but that may just be down to the dry warm roads and me loving it.

it does feel better and even doing it when squeezing the front break is getting easier. only when it's needed of course.

cheers.