Shifting Gears

[LiL_Ninja]

I've been reading up about it so I can have a few tips before I actually take my class, as you can see I'm super extra excited. My car is already manual and I go it down prett quick, I basically thought myself. When i was reading bout shifting gears on a bike, it seems a lot harder. And the reviews says that it's really hard, but I wanted to know from you ladies who are already riding.

Is it a difficult process to learn? Or is it only hard until you ride for a few times, and it just needs practice. If so, any pointers you guys/gals can tell me so I can start off on the right step.

[Dawn]

Knowing how to drive a manual tranny car helps a lot. It really shouldn't be a big deal learning to do it on a bike. Good luck on the test!

[Sassy Chassis]

You'll just be re-training your hands & feet to do different things, i.e. clutching with your hand instead of your foot and shifting with your foot instead of your hand. It's not really that difficult, per se, but there is a lot to riding than just the mechanics of it...and by that I mean watching out for all of the bozos on the road

[LiL_Ninja]

Yeah, i think that's what scares me the most, not how i ride but how others, i've always been safe, even in my car, not much of speed demon, just like driving..and I know I'll love riding even more.

[chimera]

I had like 5x manual practice in a car..... I just practiced at it and now I have the hang of it. Just learn how to 'read' what the engine wants to do...trust me it WILL let you know if it was wrong...lol

[windrider18]

Learning to shift on a bike isn't particularly difficult. Just remember that the gearing is sequential on a bike, so you can't skip gears like you can in a manual car. But other than that the process is the same - clutch, shift, release+apply throttle.

[neebelung]

It's not nearly as difficult as you think it's going to be. And as others have said, knowing how to drive a manual transmission will help you a lot, esp when it comes to the "friction zone."

Don't stress yourself out about it... at first, it'll seem like a lot of things to remember (especially when coming to a stop -- each of your limbs is doing something different!), but the more you do it, the more naturally it'll come to you.

Just remember... let off the clutch smooooooothly. Don't just let it out suddenly (as I have a tendency to do)... letting it out gradually will result in a smoother shift.

Good luck!

[78_KZ750_Cafe]

Also, you don't ever have to worry about burning the clutch out like you do on a car. The clutch on a motorcycle works entirely differently. On a car, the clutch is dry, and has one friction plate pressing against a hunk of metal. When you let it slip a lot, it heats up and eventually fails. On a bike, the clutch has multiple friction plates and they are submerged in oil. You can slip the clutch all day long and the plates will only wear a little because the oil takes the heat away from the plates. The clutch is your friend on a motorcycle, your forearm WILL be sore after the first day of riding.

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by 78_KZ750_Cafe

On a bike, the clutch has multiple friction plates and they are submerged in oil. You can slip the clutch all day long and the plates will only wear a little because the oil takes the heat away from the plates.

Unless it's a Ducati!

Originally Posted by 78_KZ750_Cafe

....your forearm WILL be sore after the first day of riding.

Oh man, that's an understatement....

[78_KZ750_Cafe]

And that's another reason that Ducati is italian for crap.

[NinjaGirl]

Originally Posted by LiL_Ninja

I've been reading up about it so I can have a few tips before I actually take my class, as you can see I'm super extra excited. My car is already manual and I go it down prett quick, I basically thought myself. When i was reading bout shifting gears on a bike, it seems a lot harder. And the reviews says that it's really hard, but I wanted to know from you ladies who are already riding.

Is it a difficult process to learn? Or is it only hard until you ride for a few times, and it just needs practice. If so, any pointers you guys/gals can tell me so I can start off on the right step.

You will do fine....don't get yourself worked up before taking the class or it will be more difficult than you will make it out to be.
Also.....this is something I have said many times here on the fourm, keep it in mind....."Don't let the bike control you, you are in control of the bike!"

Good Luck

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by 78_KZ750_Cafe

And that's another reason that Ducati is italian for crap.

Nah, I actually really like Duc's.... Can't afford to OWN (read: maintain) one, but I like 'em..... truly works of art.... MV's as well... *drool*

[78_KZ750_Cafe]

Give me a triumph bonneville or a classic triton any day. The naked bikes are pretty gnarly too.

Although I have to say that if there is any modern bike I'd do evil deeds for its the Ducati MH900. hey.... how did I lose $13K from my bank account?

[neebelung]

Just read about THIS lil critter in a mag last night.... I drooled all over the pages.....

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/my2006/d...lName=MS4RS-06

[LiL_Ninja]

whoa such great great super duper responses..thanks so much, i feel a lot more at ease..and I asked the guy at the store to show me some ropes and he talked me through the steps, so now I'm not as frightened..i just didn't want to tense myself up before class...i feel so much better.

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by LiL_Ninja

whoa such great great super duper responses..thanks so much, i feel a lot more at ease..and I asked the guy at the store to show me some ropes and he talked me through the steps, so now I'm not as frightened..i just didn't want to tense myself up before class...i feel so much better.

yea you'll be fine, as was said above, the friction zone is the only really hard thing to master.
as long as you start off on a 'slow' enough bike, you can learn how to shift fine. The problems arise when people buy 600cc sport bikes and have no idea how to shift.

Oh by the way, don't know if you do heeltoe or currently blip the throttle, but practice that in your car, it's a necessity for a motorcycle!

[LiL_Ninja]

what's friction zone mean, basically what it sounds like..a tough area to ride over? And when i drive my manual i always do heel toe..never thought it would pay off...hehe

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by LiL_Ninja

what's friction zone mean, basically what it sounds like..a tough area to ride over? And when i drive my manual i always do heel toe..never thought it would pay off...hehe

lol you always heel toe? dang! you're a better driver than most men then! (myself included ) I try to do it, but I get lazy most of the time

and friction zone is the point right where the clutch engages (basically the point where your vehicle will start moving). Something you don't think about after you're comfortable with a clutch.

but with heeltoe you understand the concept, it'll be the same thing except you'll be using your hand instead

[LiL_Ninja]

It's easier for me to use heel toe for my clutch..cuz i'm a shorty.. but yeah, sometimes i do get lazy..the only thing that i learned is that when motorcycles I have to downgrade each gear..unlike when I drive, im lazy most of the time and just go to neutral..so i can't do that with my bike..dope

[Freakazoid]

lol you sound like me driving I'll almost never downshift on a car unless I have to.

with a bike, the 250 in particular you WILL have to downshift, a decent amount, I guarantee that. after your'e comfortable with the bike, practice blipping the throttle so you can downshift smoothly.