gear changes, please offer your pearls of wisdom

[ophic]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

You know very well I rarely use my brakes and use the engine braking instead.
I just don't rev the knackers off my bike, I can't see the point

I just can't see why I have to rev the bike so hard to do the job I need it to do.
Plus its gives me headache at that height of revs.
I use my bike to get from A to B, and everything else inbtween is not scrutinised to pieces. I use the gears efficiently to what I want it to do, the gear box doesn't crunch like an old post van, and it don't lurch anywhere, because i've changed too early and haven't matched it all up. I use the power when needed, and don't use it un-necessarily.

That's all very good but I don't see how it helps the OP and his request for advice about smoother downshifts for his pillion.

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

You know very well I rarely use my brakes and use the engine braking instead.
I just don't rev the knackers off my bike, I can't see the point

I just can't see why I have to rev the bike so hard to do the job I need it to do.
Plus its gives me headache at that height of revs.
I use my bike to get from A to B, and everything else inbtween is not scrutinised to pieces. I use the gears efficiently to what I want it to do, the gear box doesn't crunch like an old post van, and it don't lurch anywhere, because i've changed too early and haven't matched it all up. I use the power when needed, and don't use it un-necessarily.

Dizzy, I used to be exactly the same, but since I went back to advanced training I have been learning to ride more "spiritedly" or "progessively" - (which I have to say is more fun than I thought it would be!) - I used to avoid using my brakes too but now use them much more and know what they can do and how they feel etc - so now when I need to use them in an emergency I don't get a nasty surprise like I used to!

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

You know very well I rarely use my brakes and use the engine braking instead.
I just don't rev the knackers off my bike, I can't see the point

I just can't see why I have to rev the bike so hard to do the job I need it to do.
Plus its gives me headache at that height of revs.
I use my bike to get from A to B, and everything else inbtween is not scrutinised to pieces. I use the gears efficiently to what I want it to do, the gear box doesn't crunch like an old post van, and it don't lurch anywhere, because i've changed too early and haven't matched it all up. I use the power when needed, and don't use it un-necessarily.

This thread is not about your riding.

[dizzyblonde]

Nope its not at all. You gave a statement, I gave a reply, as simple as that.

As far as I am concerned nobody can really comment on when the right or wrong time for Andy to take a pillion is...you aren't him. Its a natural progression that only he can decide when is the right time for him. He'll know when his riding is good enough to take the Mrs.

Now im confused and my head hurts and i dont fink im ever gonna be able to change gear ever ever again

Start by just rolling in the throttle gently to match revs. Dont 'blip' it in the harsh manner of the word 'blip', all twisty wristy and baaa baaah boowm boowm boowm. Get used to that later on for spirited riding. Too tense while learning and you'll end up being jerky as hell. Gentle with the wrist, little bit of throttle, downshift and out with the clutch on once your good with that then onwards

Originally Posted by AndyBrad

aye i go through the box as well, its the proper way imo. Still were talking about cars not now bikes.... move on

I'm not! I have heard of people pulling in the clutch, tapping down multiple cogs and then dumping the clutch out again. I can't understand having a massive problem changing down only one gear otherwise (unless one was so ponderous changing gear that the engine speed had dropped) even it you only maintainted the rev's at what they were things shouldn't be so bad as to slide the rear wheel. Perhaps if you do it right without thinking it is hard to imagine how to do it wrong.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by merlin427

Perhaps if you do it right without thinking it is hard to imagine how to do it wrong.

+1 when you're used to it it becomes totally instinctive.

it's not hard, clutch in blip at the same time downchange, clutch out.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

+1 when you're used to it it becomes totally instinctive.

Yep - I'll second that! (even though it took me 7 years to start doing it )