Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Ok, so I'm curious how everyone seems to say that your bike can go alot faster then most people think, if you learn how to push it. So how do you push it? I've heard some people say that when you're passing in a smaller bike, you should downshift, why is this? My bike (nighthawk) seems to make most of it's power in the mid-range RPMs, so why would I downshift to be in the high RPMs? Also, when taking corners fast, how do you know exactly how fast, and how far you can lean without lowsiding? Just experience, and getting a feel for the bike?

I realize most of this will probably just come from practice on the streets, etc but I was just curious, mostly about the passing thing.

From what I've gathered so far, you don't know jack about riding your bike until you're two-wheel drifting around corners with the tach pinned. Learn to do that and you'll never feel a need to upgrade!

Haha, I had the back wheel drift slighty on me, and that scared the hell out of me, I doubt I'll ever try to do that.

My rear tire will break loose if it hasn't been warmed-up yet, otherwise it does pretty well. Even when the rear has lost traction, the longer wheelbase makes it pretty uneventful.

I've had my rear end come loose a couple of times before, but it was always when taking a hard turn after working the night shift (cold weather) after only being out for a minute or two. It was just a feeling like the back end was slipping to side nothing major. Look through the turn and keep on going. But the first time it happened my heart was in my throat.

I had a 125cc or a 185cc honda not real sure of the size, but the fastest speed I got out of it was 85 mph. I did that by lying on the fuel tank and placeing my feet over the tail lite. Wide open throttle. I am 52 yrs. old I look back to that as one of my piece of stupid or just crazy. I sure enjoyed it at the time. Have fun pushing your bikes. Don't run out of fuel.

My bike dies ocationally...pushing sucks.... they are alot heavier then they seem *L

That's what I thought they meant about pushing bikes.

me too when I first read the title... I was like huh..

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/ ... kdyno.html

(Just an FYI) Your bike makes its max power between 8 and 9,000 rpm, max torque at around 7,000.

It just depends on the bike, where and how you should shift, etc. On a 600cc sportbike, for example, you will have to downshift to maximise your power in a pass. On Zootechs Meanie (or something like a V-Rod) you would probably have enough torque on tap at highway speeds to pass without shifting.

As for "pushing it" that comes with experience. Suspension, weight, tire quality all have a say in how far you can lean your bike (Not to mention ground clearance.) Sometimes you only learn the limits of the bike if you push it too far and lowside (Actually, this is the only way to "really" know the limits of your bike!)