Even when i am racing, I don't redline shift my bike. (ZX10R). I have been known to run the bike hard up around 10K, but I blip the throttle to hit second. Shifting it at that mark into second will pull the front tire up every time. In fact the bike floats the front tire accelerating to high rpms in first. Not a bad thing on a racetrack, but dangerous as hell on any road. (1st gear will get you well over the speed limit).
On the smaller bike, you can take more chances. I have raced a few 125s and 250s and really beat hell out of the poor clutches on the track, but never on the street. I think something a lot of people don't realize is that the 250 hits 70 or 80 mph shifting through 2 or 3 gears where with my bike you would be looking down at 140 heading into 4th. Big difference.
I agree with the preloading statement. You can do it in a drag race, but any other time is just tearing up the tranny. The difference in actual 1/4 mile times on the street will be negligible. I can outrun most powershifters by using my clutch. I do sometimes over rev a bit and it is obvious, but probably does less damage to the bike than hitting the shifter so hard.
Down shifting is self explanatory. It isn't safe to lock up the rear tire. Try to use the engine a little more and shift at a lower RPM or use your brakes.
Take care,
Robert
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