July 25th, 2009, 06:54 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Andrew
Location: Vancouver, BC
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 410
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Shifting with the ankle or the thigh
As I was driving (ugh) somewhere today I was beside a couple on a KTM 990 Adventure and while keeping my eyes on the road for the most part I noticed the way the KTM's rider was upshifting that I had not seen before.
I have learned and naturally come to upshift by moving my foot forward from the ball being on the peg so that my toe is under the shift lever. Then I apply some upward pressure just before flexing my ankle upwards to select the next gear. The KTM rider did the same forward movement and slight upward pressure on the lever, but then keeping his ankle in the same position, raised his whole leg upwards to select the next gear. The then lowered his leg to put his foot back down on the peg and either left it there for the next shift or moved it backwards so the ball of his foot was on the peg. The motion looked very controlled and his shifts were very smooth with no bucking or helmets bumping. I haven't yet tried this myself and am not wondering if this method is better / worse than the method I have been using but I'm wondering if anyone knows whether the KTM rider's method is something taught for a specific reason. Yes I'm kind of a technique geek and should probably pay even more attention to the road. |
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July 25th, 2009, 07:13 PM | #2 |
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Name: Arthur
Location: NoVA
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '03 EX250 Posts: 134
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I've never heard anything about shifting that way, although I'm fairly new to riding. That motion might just be something he's developed. I know that I occasionally will mis-shift because I don't flex my ankle enough or my ankle is simply tired (yes it happens) and this may be something he's developed to counteract that or prevent it? I couldn't say.
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July 25th, 2009, 07:14 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sean
Location: Mary Esther, FL
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.
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Last futzed with by bob706; July 25th, 2009 at 07:14 PM. Reason: hit the wrong button |
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July 25th, 2009, 07:15 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sean
Location: Mary Esther, FL
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His shifts were smooth because of left hand control of the clutch
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July 25th, 2009, 07:18 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Mikel
Location: Valley of the Sun
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Blue Kawasaki KLE650 Versys, '95 Ducati 900SS/CR (undergoing track conversion) Posts: 287
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Look at his boots, if he was wearing thick, stiff offroad style boots, which is possible on a KTM, for some, the boots make it very difficult to shift with just the ankle, then you use the thigh.
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July 25th, 2009, 07:19 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Nick
Location: Sacramento, California.
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 379
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He probably had a sore or injured ankle.
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July 25th, 2009, 07:21 PM | #7 |
motorcycle rider
Name: Bruce
Location: Victoria, BC
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.
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I always just flick my toes up or down, so I guess I am using my ankle. I never really thought about it much before...
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July 25th, 2009, 09:55 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Dario
Location: Suffolk County, NY
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Ninja 300 (Sold), 2016 Z1000 Posts: 239
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I like to just reach down and grab the shift lever with my left hand. Clutches are replaceable.
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July 25th, 2009, 10:58 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Andrew
Location: Vancouver, BC
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 410
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Low-cut sneakers, Chuck's or Vans I think. Yeh it looked funny on the KTM.
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July 25th, 2009, 11:00 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Andrew
Location: Vancouver, BC
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 410
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July 26th, 2009, 06:41 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sam
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.
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He probably doesn't have the shift lever adjusted low enough so that the ankle rotation moves the lever far enough to engage the next gear.
Last futzed with by g21-30; July 26th, 2009 at 02:51 PM. |
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July 26th, 2009, 02:14 PM | #12 |
Livin' the Minimoto Life
Name: Mark
Location: Riding around in TX
Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2022 Honda Navi, 2018 Z-125 Pro Posts: A lot.
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My riding boots are stiff, so I need to put a little leg into my shifts. Not much, but just a little. I've found that adjusting the velcro strap allows more ankle movement, but not enough to not need to move my leg a little. With sneakers I just use my foot.
If I were to adjust my shifter to compensate, then I'd be beyond the throw of my foot in my riding boots for downshifting. Rather move for upshifts than downshifts!
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July 27th, 2009, 08:39 AM | #13 |
Track Junkie
Name: Jon
Location: Dallas
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r Track Bike, DR350 commuter, KDX220 woods bike Posts: 602
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probably a habit developed from riding dirtbikes. their boots are much stiffer than street boots... or at least mine are.
my brother has to shift that way, but thats because he has a semi-paralysis of his left side and can't move his ankle like that.
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