Downshifting is one of the great mysteries of riding a motorcycle. Downshifting is actually pretty simple when you know how to do it.
There is a slight trick to it,but beginner riders think about the fact that they are okay. I am going to take off from the dealership and i am going to row through gears 1,2,3 and 4 yeah feel oh I got a red light what do I do? Let’s talk about how to downshift on your motorcycle?
Downshifting
Downshifting is the process of selecting a gear down from the one you are in and matching the engine and transmission speed to the wheel speed.
You have three things that play when you are downshifting.
1.Engine speed(RPM)
Engine speed which is your RPM which is the stuff right there. There is how to fast the engine crankshaft is rotating the pistons moving all the good stuff.
2.Wheel speed
Which is a short of linear thing like as you go faster the wheel speed increases right.
3.Transmission Speed
The transmission speed and the wheel speed are related in that they have aligned given the gear that you are in the engine RPM activates based on that transmission speed and based on the wheel the speed is kind of confusing.
And the last point I want to make about the clutch is what controls the interplay between wheel speed transmission speed and all that stuff that allows you to disconnect the engine speed from the transmission speed.
The clutch disconnect the engine speed from the transmission speed
So that you can select the different gear.
Downshifting is related to what you are trying to do with the bike
Purpose of Downshifting
Downshifting isn’t something you should do randomly; it should always serve a purpose. Whether you’re coming to a stop, approaching a corner, or just wanting to accelerate quickly, downshifting is key. For instance, if you’re in third gear and want to open up the throttle for a burst of speed or to pop a wheelie, you need to downshift. Trying to do this in fifth gear won’t give you the power you need unless you’re riding a turbocharged Hayabusa!
How to Downshift Smoothly
The first step in mastering downshifting is learning to do it smoothly. You can’t go into a corner carelessly, downshifting without proper technique. Doing so can be as dangerous as slamming your front brakes mid-corner, which can load the front end abruptly and cause loss of control.
When downshifting, you need to “blip” the throttle. This involves timing the pull of the clutch and giving a small flick of the wrist to increase engine RPM to match the new gear’s speed. This is crucial for maintaining control and avoiding a lurching bike. Remember, motorcycles have sequential gearboxes, so you can’t accidentally skip gears like in an H-pattern car transmission.
The Importance of Blipping the Throttle
Blipping the throttle isn’t just about smoothness; it’s about control. Let’s say you’re in fourth gear and want to downshift to first. By rolling off the throttle, pulling in the clutch, and blipping the throttle before shifting down, you ensure that the bike transitions smoothly into the lower gear without lurching forward or upsetting the balance.
This technique is especially important when using engine braking to slow down. The higher the RPMs, the more engine braking power you have, which helps slow the motorcycle down effectively.
Avoiding Common Downshifting Mistakes
One common mistake is downshifting mid-corner. This can cause the rear wheel to lock up, especially if your bike doesn’t have a slipper clutch. The key is to downshift before entering the corner or wait until you’re upright to downshift if you miss it. Never try to downshift mid-corner as it can drastically affect your bike’s stability.
Practical Example: Downshifting on Twisty Roads
Imagine you’re cruising in sixth gear on a highway and then suddenly approach a series of tight corners on a country road. If you forget to downshift before the corner, you’ll find yourself without enough power to accelerate out of the turn. The best approach is to downshift before entering the corner or wait until you’re upright after the corner to grab the correct gear.
Practice Makes Perfect
Downshifting is a skill that improves with practice. Start by practicing without using the front brake, focusing on the timing of the clutch pull, throttle blip, and gear change. As you become more comfortable, you can integrate this into your regular riding, practicing in different traffic situations and road conditions.