Am I downshifting right? HELP!

[Pez D Spencer]

I just started riding about 5 days ago on a new 06 GZ250. I was planning on taking a MSF course but they are all filled up so I'm learing on my own.

I read in my owners manual and other places that when coming to a stop you should downshift through the gears as you come to a stop. I quickly found it tedious to slow down a little bit, pull the clutch, downshift, let the clutch out, slow down a little more, pull the clutch, downshift, and so on. What I have been doing is when I come to a stop just using the brakes until I get down to about 10MPH or less then I pull the clutch in and just shift down through all the gears until I get back to first.

Is this bad for the bike or should I do it the way I previously mentioned?

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

You'll find it tedious now because you're not used to it. You really need to learn and practice slowing and down shifting, there are a ton of other scenairos that you'll need to use them for. Like turns, traffic where the speeds are constantly changing etc...

[Jamers!]

You'll find it tedious now because you're not used to it. You really need to learn and practice slowing and down shifting, there are a ton of other scenairos that you'll need to use them for. Like turns, traffic where the speeds are constantly changing etc...

+1. It is important to get used to and be comfortable going through your gears, at first it will seem like a drag or useless, but wearing your brakes away instead of engine braking is silly, plus the shifting skill will be needed later down the road. As for the MSF. sign up for a course that isnt full. Its a great way to learn, it lowers your insurance if you dont have it already, gets you your lisence if you pass.


JWF

[Lion_Lady]

Where are you located that "all the MSF classes are filled up?" Are there classes available later in the year? Sign up for one of those, anyhow.

Did you know that you can get into a class as a standby? Given the high demand for the course, most locations have some way to fill all classes by having some system to allow folks a chance at spots left by folks who show up late (or don't show up) for class. Call your area centers and see...

One tip is that if bad/cloudy weather is forecast no-shows are more likely... class is still held even if it rains. The benefit is that you'll have the class AND be prepared to ride in the rain.

P

[The Grinch]

It's not as bad for the bike as improperly downshifting while moving.

I wouldn't worry too much about downshifting until you get more experience. The brakes stop the bike, not the engine. Downshifting is just to make sure you match engine speed with rear wheel speed. The only real problem with your current technique of waiting until you stop before downshifting is what if you need to suddenly hit the gas? If you wait until you stop, chances are you'll be in too high a gear to effectively accelerate away from a problem situation. If you downshift as your speed decreases, you should always be in a gear that will allow you to quickly accelerate away from potential problems.

Done right, downshifting takes a bit of practice and finese. Do it too abruptly and you can cause the rear wheel to skip and hop. The key to doing it smoothly is to "blip" the throttle after you've downshifted just before you start to release the clutch lever. A blip is just a quick flip of the throttle to get the engine to rev up. The point of the blip is to get the engine speed up a bit so that it has a better chance of matching the rear wheel speed. If you have access to any road racing videos, you can hear the riders blipping the throttle as they decelerate into a corner.

Since it takes practice to get it right, I recommend you practice in an empty parking lot. You don't want to overload your brain with coordinating too many things (brakes, clutch, throttle) while out in traffic.

[Jamers!]

Where are you located that "all the MSF classes are filled up?" Are there classes available later in the year? Sign up for one of those, anyhow.

Did you know that you can get into a class as a standby? Given the high demand for the course, most locations have some way to fill all classes by having some system to allow folks a chance at spots left by folks who show up late (or don't show up) for class. Call your area centers and see...

One tip is that if bad/cloudy weather is forecast no-shows are more likely... class is still held even if it rains. The benefit is that you'll have the class AND be prepared to ride in the rain.

P

Here in Los Angles all the classes within 50 miles were filled for 4 months when i looked into them, i signed up for one 4 months from then, and put myself on the wait list for every other one. Its the only way to get into one around here.


JWF

[Tyrone ORourke]

I can't reiterate strongly enough what has already been said.

Take the MSF course, I never did, but spent a lot of time learning by myself what would have been safer and easier to learn in a course.

As for downshifts, running down the whole gearbox when nearly stopped is not a good idea as it allows only for 'nice' situations.
You really need to make sure you get used to the gear changing sequence, as if any nasty siituations arise, being in the right gear can save trouble. I know when I started biking, I could never remember what gear I was in, but got used to it very quickly. Just give yourself a few months practice with proper downshifting and it will become second nature.

Also be aware that early downshift(ie, when it will kick the revs high up the range) are not a good idea in general, as they can break the grip on the rear tire, calling for some interesting fish-tailing.

[dieziege]

Which is kinda weird because here (>LA area) I called on a Tuesday, gave them my CC# over the phone, and was in the classroom Thursday and on a bike Saturday.

Maybe I timed it exactly right....

[ofblong]

you must have cause I am on a waiting list here in michigan. The only way I can get into one is I drive 3 hours to detroit. It would cost me more to take the MSF in Detroit than it would to go pay $45 to take the road test by the DMV.

[dieziege]

....that's supply and demand when you remove market forces I guess. Here the price is $225... that probably provides incentive for the schools to have class space, and keeps some lookie-loo "students" out. I could've taken a DMV test for a lot less $, but the MSF course has other benefits.