Triumphrat

Tbirdnz · 08-18-2008, 08:10 PM

Different schools of thought on this method of gear changing (shifting), I think this is a throwback from the times of non synchro gears, or practiced today on clutchless changes.

I'm not a fan of clutchless changes, really don't see the point from a mechanical point of view. Get it wrong and it doesn't do the gears any good. Having said that I have a farm quad without a clutch, so I'm reasonably expert at it.

...but apart from making a nice impressive professional sound is there any particular reason it is done ? I sometimes do it if I think I'm going to be up-shifting again soon or sometimes I do it for effect but I'm interested in other views on this.

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Ride on !

eelmgren · 08-18-2008, 09:22 PM

It makes your downshifts smoother by helping match the road speed to the engine speed.

If you are downshifting and slowing down quickly, it can keep the rear tire from breaking loose or chattering. The other school of thought is to just let the clutch out slowly.

I shifted without the clutch (up and down) decades ago when I was racing dirt bikes. No need or desire to do it on the street.

Tbirdnz · 08-18-2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eelmgren

..........
I shifted without the clutch (up and down) decades ago when I was racing dirt bikes. .......

Ah ! good point, yes it's something I did too.

I think I blip the throttle down-changing more than I think I do, I probably do it automatically, particularly coming up from the early British bikes and still riding them today.

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Ride on !

skiTTles · 08-19-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdnz

I think this is a throwback from the times of non synchro gears, or practiced today on clutchless changes.

On a four wheeled cage yes, but on a bike "rev matching" will bring the engine up to the wheel speed and reduce the sudden engine braking that can really get exciting when it turns into a high side

DaveB · 08-20-2008, 10:28 AM

I've always believed it to be the correct thing to do. I mostly do it without thinking & it's fun as well

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DaveB.

Tbirdnz · 08-21-2008, 12:11 AM

You're right Dave, when I first posted I had to think if I did or not, since then I've been on my TB for a ride and I do it 100%. Now I need to go on my CB to see if I do it on that bike too !

It probably accounts for my poor fuel economy on the TB.

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Ride on !