I have a 2nd gear!

[Shorts]

We took off for more practice yesterday, the new Pazzo levers installed. Those feel nice compared to the stock levers. They were expensive, but worth it for me.

Unfortunately, taking a spin around, I came to a stop and didn't apply the rear brake and ended up dropping it at the stop. I'm getting real tired of doing that, but it seems like norm, drop it at least once I had a new pair of boots on as well, so I hadn't pinpointed them yet as far as the feel for pedals. I figured it out quickly what I was doing wrong. Anyhow, I ended up scratching the ends of my nice levers - time for a little black touchup paint.

The rest of the day seemed as if it'd pitter out. The bike stalled when I revved it to check the throttle snap-back. Then the darn thing wouldn't start for about 15min. I don't know why the bike has been so moody the last 2 times out? (maybe because I keep dropping it???)

Well, DHs gets it started just as we were about to try push-starting. So, I asked him to try out clutchless shifting and see how the bike reacted. It went smoothly, so I hopped on, tried the same thing and viola! I was in 2nd gear. Oh my goodness! It felt so good and smooth in 2nd gear. Bikes should start in 2nd! haha

If you read any previous posts from me, you might remember I had a rough day last time trying to shift. THIS FELT SO GOOD! I was so happy, grinnin' ear to ear as I went through some loops and figure 8s, even a couple of S curves where I felt the bike just rolling over into the turn. It was great! I knew there was some fun to riding Gosh I can't say enough how happy and good I feel and felt about jumping that hurdle. I knew I could, just getting it all together, I'm so pumped for the next time out. I'm not done yet, but dang, I'm so happy to have made this step.

[sharpmagna]

Kewl sounds like your making some good progress Shorts. Don't get too bummed out when you drop your bike, it happens. I'm sure most of us dropped the MSF's bike when we took the BRC and unfortunately you have to learn on your own.

To get a little off topic, I remember you mentioned you were looking for "shorty" levers. I found this while perusing the web and thought you may be interested: http://www.stmachine.com/images/product ... r-full.jpg

[YoungRider]

Good job... ive found its best to clutchless shift while accelerating... you can clutchless shift while at a constant speed but I get a lil jerk and i dont like it... But im new to riding too so i dont know many correct terms and all that. Have fun though!

[jstark47]

Shorts, are you shifting only without the clutch, or with the clutch too?

[Shorts]

Thanks guys

So far, just learned to upshift without the clutch (aside from taking off with the clutch). I haven't covered downshifting yet. My learning scale is a little slower than most. Though I'm still thinking about how I'll downshift, with or without the clutch. I know most might be screaming about me not doing that yet, but unfortunately, I gotta break the process down into smaller bits, so this is where I'm at now.

I would like to develop shifting with the clutch as I feel clutchless shifting is sort of a crutch. I'm on the fence I guess as to the priority of skills I go about learning. I don't want to take shortcuts yet I'd like to take the most expedited way I can for myself.

[XJRJohn]

do not try to down shift without the clutch.shifting up the box is ok once you get the hang of it but not down the box.i was taught a long time ago and i remember being told never shift down without the clutch.dosnt do the gear box any good.xjrjohn

[Kal]

Theres got to be an easier way to do this Shorts...

Riding is supposed to be fun!!!

Have you considered these adaptions?



Foot operated linked brakes, allowing you to have a standard clutch on the handle bars or



a Klictronic gearbox allowiing you to do away with the clutch altogether...

[Shorts]

Yeah, I'm trying to simplify everything for the motorcycle. Part of it is going through the learning curve of learning to ride a street bike, period. The other is trying to learn it with my circumstances. So, I'm getting jammed from every side. It's just taking time to sort through the things I need to learn vs the mods I need to make.

After that first time trying to shift, I hastily thought about a Klictronic. So, my compromise to spending more money on that was to try clutchless shifting. Since IIRC it basically works the same way (correct me if I'm wrong folks), and even with the Klictronic I have to use the clutch anyway at a stop, which is what I'm doing now - what the heck, right?


Linked brakes, I'm still very much considering it, if I could work them out as far as proportioning that it'd be perfect. But I'm not completely sold on linked brakes with the foot pedal alone it as there are riding situations where I'd probably need the rear brake only, or I need both feet on the ground, or a hill, or... so I'm still thinking that through. Actually, I'd love to have linked brakes through the front lever, and keep the foot pedal for rear brake only. I guess the whole goal of removing a lever up there doesn't work with that last idea I had

[Kal]

ONe of my friends has kliktronic on her trike, would you like me to ask?

[Shorts]

Oh that'd be great if you did Thanks. I'd love to hear some feedback on it.