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Yes, I am a newb to manual trannies. I have been riding for less than a week and before that, I had never been on a motorcycle AND never driven a manual. I bought a 600 Shadow on Monday and am having a little trouble with the gears. My bike is a 4-speed, but I have yet to get it into 4th.. the fastest I have taken it is 45 mph. Anyways, I know when to up-shift, I can hear the bike struggling. My problem is down-shifting. When I am cruising along in 3rd gear and a car gets in front of me going slow, I find myself slowing and putting it into 2nd, but the bike sounds like it wants to stay in 3rd. I have a simple question; I hope one of you guys can help. Am I doing something wrong? I am not too sure what speeds are safe for what gears; I am still learning. If anyone has experience with a 600 Honda Shadow or a similar 4-speed bike, please help me out.

Also, does anyone have any tips for turning from a dead stop? The only time I have stalled has been when I go to make a right turn from a dead stop. It would be embarassing to stall or even drop my bike if I were out in town when that happens.
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R3sp4wN wrote:Yes, I am a newb to manual trannies. I have been riding for less than a week and before that, I had never been on a motorcycle AND never driven a manual. I bought a 600 Shadow on Monday and am having a little trouble with the gears. My bike is a 4-speed, but I have yet to get it into 4th.. the fastest I have taken it is 45 mph. Anyways, I know when to up-shift, I can hear the bike struggling. My problem is down-shifting. When I am cruising along in 3rd gear and a car gets in front of me going slow, I find myself slowing and putting it into 2nd, but the bike sounds like it wants to stay in 3rd. I have a simple question; I hope one of you guys can help. Am I doing something wrong? I am not too sure what speeds are safe for what gears; I am still learning. If anyone has experience with a 600 Honda Shadow or a similar 4-speed bike, please help me out.

Also, does anyone have any tips for turning from a dead stop? The only time I have stalled has been when I go to make a right turn from a dead stop. It would be embarassing to stall or even drop my bike if I were out in town when that happens.

I'm not quite sure how to answer the first question. Is the bike popping into other gears? Like you're in fourth, you switch down ONCE and it pops into second? If so that sounds like a more mechanical problem.

A good tip is always make sure to shift while the bike is moving. If the bike isn't moving some bikes just don't change gears.

What speeds are safe? Whatever you feel comfortable with. As long as you aren't Red Lining the Engine you are fine. The idea is to stay close enough to your power zone so if you should have to zip away really quickly you can do it.

The second question is whenever I'm turning or moving from a dead stop I usually bring the RPMs up first then just slowly let the clutch out. You may want to practice this a bit but it just takes time getting used to.

Oh and stay away from really steep hills that you have to come to a full stop on for a while! At least until you get your clutch control improved.

I don't know about your bike specifically but in my BRC they taught us to give it a little gas when down shifting in order to keep your rear tire grabbing the road and then back off the gas so you don't lurch forward, look at your tach if you have one and you'll see the red line is pretty high, I think you would really have to wind it up to damage the engine.
I'm no expert thats just what I was taught.

You sound like about 90% of the newbies out there.

I was the same way.

I think as a culture, we all put high expectations on ourselves to "master" skills. Especially men who are trying to master something as "manly" as motorcycling. We figure, "Hey, we took a 16 hour training class. We should have this down perfect!"

Nope.

It takes awhile. The coordination and finesse take a lot more practice than 16 hours for 90% of us.

I had the same problems you are having. Honesty, you don't need advice. You just need practice. Chances are, you are already doing everything right, you're just not doing it smoothly or confidently. Give it time. Eventually, your moves will become second-nature. You won't even think about shifting or the clutch. Your body will just do it.

Usually takes a few weeks at least. So just keep practicing.

Thanks alot guys, I have yet to leave my neighborhood because I want to be confident enough to ride safely and smoothly. I plan on heading out today though... my gas tank is about to need some refueling. I will keep you posted.
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