Downshifting or coasting?

[MarkyPancake]

I'm having difficulties with the co-ordination, it feels strange.

How many revs should you give it and is this technique necessary at normal speeds, i.e. downshifting when within speed limits?

[Sev]

Yes, it's better to use it all the time, and the revs change from bike to bike. With both of mine what I typically did was pull in the clutch,give a quick short flick of my wrist, then tamp down on the gear change lever, and release the clutch.

You'll have to experiment a little to find out how much of twist you need to give. If you twisted to far the bike will lurch forward, if you didn't twist far enough the bike will slow WAY down under you.

[DivideOverflow]

Personally, I coast to stops, but I shift down at the appropriate speeds for my bike, and always end up at first when I stop. Of course, maybe that isnt very good since it is tailored just for the speed and transmission of my bike?

I know I am doing it right, because when I *do* downshift, it is at the right speed for the gear I am in. I think I'll start trying engine breaking though, it sounds like a good practice.

[MarkyPancake]

Yes, it's better to use it all the time, and the revs change from bike to bike. With both of mine what I typically did was pull in the clutch,give a quick short flick of my wrist, then tamp down on the gear change lever, and release the clutch.

You'll have to experiment a little to find out how much of twist you need to give. If you twisted to far the bike will lurch forward, if you didn't twist far enough the bike will slow WAY down under you.

That's what I was doing, but wasn't sure if that was enough. It did feel smoother after changing down and letting the clutch out.

Practise makes perfect as they say!

[SAKISAKE]

Now, I've driven a manual transmission car for 5 years now and I usually throw it into nuetral and ride the breaks till the stop light in that scenario, but obviously, a car is different. You have a much better idea of where the gears are since there is a stick, and it's easier to go from nuetral to whichever gear you need to, in case you have to speed up again for some reason. Where, with a bike you have to click down or up through the gears till you have the right one, and you simply can't "throw it in neutral" like with a stick (onviously)
First post/reply: I'm in market for new bike after a long absence, but have driven standard shift autos for over 35 years. Putting your transmission into neutral takes away ALL control through your powertrain.
This puts you at a big disadvantage, if you suddenly need to take evasive action, or just add power. Not good to do on a bike or in a cage. If you learn to shift properly, you'll probably begin using the powertrain to not only add speed... but to reduce speed as well. It's all practice, practice, practice. But beware of who is behind you. The previous advice about using your brake lights as a signal is well put.

[MarkyPancake]

I'm getting the hang of it now.