Shifting question

devilz05 · 03-28-2005

Sup guys and gals,

Im new here, Im new to the biking world although I have craved one for some time, and Im pretty much as clueless as you can get with the logistics of things. I plan on getting a ninja 500 over the summer and yes I will take the MSF courses so I dont kill myself. I know that these bikes are manual transmission and thats not really a big deal to me because I drive stick as it is, but I was a little confused about this whole shifting business on a bike. Is there a clutch on the bikes that you gotta use to up/downshift everytime you need to switch gears? I cant imagine that the clutch of a bike has to be operated in the same fashion as a car clutch because that would just be way to engaging for a regular driver. Do you have to rev match on bikes when you're downshifting? Will the the bike jerk you around if you release the clutch too fast? If someone can just explain the basics to me that would be great! Thanks

**Spok** · 03-28-2005

welcome grasshopper...

yes a bike has a clutch, yes you use the clutch to shift up and down the gears. there are some who don't use the clutch on upshifts but I always do.

michaelvZX6RR · 03-28-2005

The clutch on most bikes is the left-hand lever. The right-hand lever being the front brake. The left foot does the shifting, and the right foot triggers the rear brake.

Don't worry, you'll practice all this in your MSF class.

JTpaintball70 · 03-28-2005

and the shifting pattern goes (just cause some get confuzzled by it at first) down into first-up into the rest. At a stop, up from first will give you N.

**2WheelFun** · 03-28-2005

Welcome aboard! Looks like you found the right place and already have some answers so I'll just say hello!

sci fly · 03-28-2005

Shifting pattern on the EX500

6
5
4
3
2
N
1

Scotty Luv · 03-28-2005

Welcome to the forum Devil!

You *do* need to release the throttle when going for a down shift (just like in the car) and ease the clutch lever (left hand) out or it could jerk you around a bit. It takes a little time but you'll get the hang of it.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Scott

devilz05 · 03-28-2005

Is it safe to say that the clutch and tranny are a lot more forgiving on a bike than a car? I know on my car if I just pop the clutch instead of easing it out I will fly head first into the windshield. If thats the case on a bike aswell, that would be pretty scary.

rmhninja · 03-28-2005

Devilz05,

You will notice a small jump forward but nothing that can't be managed under normal circumstances. You'll get plenty of experience with popping the clutch in the MSF.

Shifting isn't bad either. After a few lessons you won't even think about it. Keeping
track of what gear you are in also becomes second nature after being on the bike for a
while (maybe not during the MSF but out in the world).
It is important how you downshift. Downshifting too far too fast might engine brake
more than you need and allow you to lose control. Don't worry about going from 6th to
2nd in one motion (like you can in a car), bikes don't shift that way.
(All will be taught in the MSF course)

JoeNomad1 · 03-28-2005

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the new ride. Taking the MSF course is the best thing to do. Just like a car's clutch, the clutch lever on a motorcycle has a friction zone that you use for take offs and holding the bike on inclines. There has been several discussions regarding shifting without the clutch, but isn't recommended unless you are a professional racer or truck driver and know how to match your revs with each shift. You also let up off the throttle on the bike just like you let up off the gas pedal between shifts. Good luck and ride safe.

**2WheelFun** · 03-28-2005

devilz05...be sure to check out the DVD...Ride Like a Pro III. One of the best sources of "DO IT RIGHT" that you'll find.

http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

*ispeed77* · 03-28-2005

welcome to the forum devil. looks like everyone has you covered, but feel free to ask more questions if they come up.

michaelvZX6RR · 03-30-2005

Devilz05, you're thinking too much about this. Just get on the bike and feel it. It will make sense. Until then, don't worry about it. Analysis paralysis... it's a terrible thing.

*pitchinguy* · 03-30-2005

Don't be intimidated about shifting gears! If you drive a stick, you'll have no problem with a bike. The concept is the same. By the time you finish the MS course, it'll be 2nd nature to ya.

The main thing is don't get too cocky & don't get too confident too quick.

Easy to do. Don't fear the bike, it's s'posed to be fun, but respect the he11 out of it! This probably has a lot to do with new riders having the highest accident rate. Respect & have fun.....you'll do fine! Get cocky & think you got it right off the batt...... you'll get hurt quick!

Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!.......an welcome to the forum!

Cheers

TimR · 03-30-2005

welcome,you will finally many good answers to your questions here .as for shifting find what works best for you and practice,practice,practice.It will become second nature and you will realize that you dont even notice shifting ..

Redline · 03-31-2005

Just as with learning to drive a car the first time, getting the clutch and shifting and throttle action down takes a bit of practise. Every bike is different, so no amount of explanation will prepare you for the actual act. Some bikes have more slack in the throttle and clutch cables, some have less. It took me about 2 weeks to get used to the clutch and shifting action. Ride it every day, practise in your neighborhood. It's been about 2 months for me and I longer fear about getting out in traffic on my bike, not even in rush hour traffic.

Bricktop · 05-11-2005

You can upshift without the clutch. It means a seamless shift if done right. I do it all the time, and I have done so on my wifes EX500. Another good skill to eventually learn is "blipping" the throttle on downshifts, to keep the revs up while you engage the clutch and change gears. both of these are skills aquired with experience, and I wouldn't recommend them right off the bat. It will just serve to confuse the shifting subject. The 500 is not the best for blipping the throttle though, I find the throttle response a bit too slow for that.

Take the time to learn to ride properly before you experiment with any advanced techniques. A training course will teach you more than you'll learn on your own in a fraction of the time. Just shift as you would in a standard car. Don't "dump" the clutch. This will catch you off guard if you have enought throttle in it. Just ease it out and eventually you'll get a feel for how fast you can release it.

My wife had never driven a standard anything when she bought her bike. she had it nailed in a couple days practice. You'll be fine.

sorry for the long post.

jonesie619 · 05-11-2005

What they said! Welcome aboard.

dblzr600 · 05-12-2005

welcome aboard Devil, I agree with everybody else. it will become second nature after awhile but until then you will be concentrating on it. Don't concentrate too hard though because there is a lot of other things that you will also have to be concerned about. The MSF will teach you how to do all the basics and is a good course for beginner and novice alike. most of all though have FUN and keep the rubber side down

03-28-2005	#1 (permalink)
devilz05 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2	Shifting question Sup guys and gals, Im new here, Im new to the biking world although I have craved one for some time, and Im pretty much as clueless as you can get with the logistics of things. I plan on getting a ninja 500 over the summer and yes I will take the MSF courses so I dont kill myself. I know that these bikes are manual transmission and thats not really a big deal to me because I drive stick as it is, but I was a little confused about this whole shifting business on a bike. Is there a clutch on the bikes that you gotta use to up/downshift everytime you need to switch gears? I cant imagine that the clutch of a bike has to be operated in the same fashion as a car clutch because that would just be way to engaging for a regular driver. Do you have to rev match on bikes when you're downshifting? Will the the bike jerk you around if you release the clutch too fast? If someone can just explain the basics to me that would be great! Thanks

03-28-2005	#2 (permalink)
Spok RIP Deron - 1400Pilot Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Washington Posts: 34,605	welcome grasshopper... yes a bike has a clutch, yes you use the clutch to shift up and down the gears. there are some who don't use the clutch on upshifts but I always do. __________________ In Memory of Deron Harden - 1400 Pilot. You are missed.

03-28-2005	#3 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	The clutch on most bikes is the left-hand lever. The right-hand lever being the front brake. The left foot does the shifting, and the right foot triggers the rear brake. Don't worry, you'll practice all this in your MSF class. __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

03-28-2005	#4 (permalink)
JTpaintball70 has a surgically implanted keyboard Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 3,034	and the shifting pattern goes (just cause some get confuzzled by it at first) down into first-up into the rest. At a stop, up from first will give you N. __________________ Nathan My Photobucket 2007 ZX-6R 2007 Ninja 650R aka Shion - STOLEN 2-4-08 2001 Jeep TJ NM EMT-Basic

03-28-2005	#5 (permalink)
2WheelFun the "fun old" guy Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albion, Washington "Pacific Northwest" Posts: 30,383	Welcome aboard! Looks like you found the right place and already have some answers so I'll just say hello! __________________ *KING KAHUNA* *2007 V2K LT* ****PICS** 2007 Brute Force 650i **PICS** I love the smell of SeaFoam in the morning**

03-28-2005	#6 (permalink)
sci fly Still On The Kickstand BTK Beginner Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Geriatrics state Posts: 42	Shifting pattern on the EX500 6 5 4 3 2 N 1 __________________ '05 ex500 mIRC efnet #mcchris TheDogsB

03-28-2005	#7 (permalink)
Scotty Luv Professor Luv - On His Toes Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 4,096	Welcome to the forum Devil! You do need to release the throttle when going for a down shift (just like in the car) and ease the clutch lever (left hand) out or it could jerk you around a bit. It takes a little time but you'll get the hang of it. Practice! Practice! Practice! Scott __________________ - '06 ZX-6R 636 Titanium, red alloy wheels and tribal graphics - '04 Nomad Metallic dark bronze

03-28-2005	#8 (permalink)
devilz05 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2	Is it safe to say that the clutch and tranny are a lot more forgiving on a bike than a car? I know on my car if I just pop the clutch instead of easing it out I will fly head first into the windshield. If thats the case on a bike aswell, that would be pretty scary.

03-28-2005	#9 (permalink)
rmhninja Newbie Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 16	Devilz05, You will notice a small jump forward but nothing that can't be managed under normal circumstances. You'll get plenty of experience with popping the clutch in the MSF. Shifting isn't bad either. After a few lessons you won't even think about it. Keeping track of what gear you are in also becomes second nature after being on the bike for a while (maybe not during the MSF but out in the world). It is important how you downshift. Downshifting too far too fast might engine brake more than you need and allow you to lose control. Don't worry about going from 6th to 2nd in one motion (like you can in a car), bikes don't shift that way. (All will be taught in the MSF course)

03-28-2005	#10 (permalink)
JoeNomad1 Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Fl weather I've been waiting for! Posts: 875	Welcome to the forum and good luck with the new ride. Taking the MSF course is the best thing to do. Just like a car's clutch, the clutch lever on a motorcycle has a friction zone that you use for take offs and holding the bike on inclines. There has been several discussions regarding shifting without the clutch, but isn't recommended unless you are a professional racer or truck driver and know how to match your revs with each shift. You also let up off the throttle on the bike just like you let up off the gas pedal between shifts. Good luck and ride safe. __________________ 99 Green Nomad VH Dual Baggers Extra Chrome Bits Hi Five Air Cleaner

03-28-2005	#11 (permalink)
2WheelFun the "fun old" guy Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albion, Washington "Pacific Northwest" Posts: 30,383	devilz05...be sure to check out the DVD...Ride Like a Pro III. One of the best sources of "DO IT RIGHT" that you'll find. http://www.ridelikeapro.com/ __________________ *KING KAHUNA* *2007 V2K LT* ****PICS** 2007 Brute Force 650i **PICS** I love the smell of SeaFoam in the morning**

03-28-2005	#12 (permalink)
ispeed77 RIP Deron Harden :-( Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 30,746	welcome to the forum devil. looks like everyone has you covered, but feel free to ask more questions if they come up. __________________ In loving memory of Deron Harden, forever in our thoughts :-(

03-30-2005	#13 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	Devilz05, you're thinking too much about this. Just get on the bike and feel it. It will make sense. Until then, don't worry about it. Analysis paralysis... it's a terrible thing. __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

03-30-2005	#14 (permalink)
pitchinguy Deron...THE..."big guy"! Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,858	Don't be intimidated about shifting gears! If you drive a stick, you'll have no problem with a bike. The concept is the same. By the time you finish the MS course, it'll be 2nd nature to ya. The main thing is don't get too cocky & don't get too confident too quick. Easy to do. Don't fear the bike, it's s'posed to be fun, but respect the he11 out of it! This probably has a lot to do with new riders having the highest accident rate. Respect & have fun.....you'll do fine! Get cocky & think you got it right off the batt...... you'll get hurt quick! Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!.......an welcome to the forum! Cheers __________________ *LIGHT ENGINEER Todd's Body Paint Team* *Black 1600w/apes*

03-30-2005	#15 (permalink)
TimR Cruising In Fourth Gear BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Barbourville ky Posts: 233	welcome,you will finally many good answers to your questions here .as for shifting find what works best for you and practice,practice,practice.It will become second nature and you will realize that you dont even notice shifting .. __________________ 03 Nomad Cobra Slash cut pipes kuryakyn Grips custom paint Custom risers kuryakyn hyper charger 03 Harley Super Glide ________________________________ 99 350 SuperDuty 00 F-150 4x4

03-31-2005	#16 (permalink)
Redline Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 459	Just as with learning to drive a car the first time, getting the clutch and shifting and throttle action down takes a bit of practise. Every bike is different, so no amount of explanation will prepare you for the actual act. Some bikes have more slack in the throttle and clutch cables, some have less. It took me about 2 weeks to get used to the clutch and shifting action. Ride it every day, practise in your neighborhood. It's been about 2 months for me and I longer fear about getting out in traffic on my bike, not even in rush hour traffic.

05-11-2005	#17 (permalink)
Bricktop Newbie Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 10	You can upshift without the clutch. It means a seamless shift if done right. I do it all the time, and I have done so on my wifes EX500. Another good skill to eventually learn is "blipping" the throttle on downshifts, to keep the revs up while you engage the clutch and change gears. both of these are skills aquired with experience, and I wouldn't recommend them right off the bat. It will just serve to confuse the shifting subject. The 500 is not the best for blipping the throttle though, I find the throttle response a bit too slow for that. Take the time to learn to ride properly before you experiment with any advanced techniques. A training course will teach you more than you'll learn on your own in a fraction of the time. Just shift as you would in a standard car. Don't "dump" the clutch. This will catch you off guard if you have enought throttle in it. Just ease it out and eventually you'll get a feel for how fast you can release it. My wife had never driven a standard anything when she bought her bike. she had it nailed in a couple days practice. You'll be fine. sorry for the long post.

05-11-2005	#18 (permalink)
jonesie619 Clutch Cadet BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chapel Hill NC Posts: 395	What they said! Welcome aboard. __________________ Never argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference. '88 EX500A - "Mistress" www.freewebs.com/jonesie619/mymistress.htm

05-12-2005	#19 (permalink)
dblzr600 Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 142	welcome aboard Devil, I agree with everybody else. it will become second nature after awhile but until then you will be concentrating on it. Don't concentrate too hard though because there is a lot of other things that you will also have to be concerned about. The MSF will teach you how to do all the basics and is a good course for beginner and novice alike. most of all though have FUN and keep the rubber side down

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)