Why do people consider the Ninjette's 1st Gear as being useless?

[ajcadoo]

I am confused as to why. Is it because you can be in second gear from a stop and easily get up to speed without stalling?

Can someone explain this to me?

[Nemesis]

Whoever said that doesn't know how to wheelie.

[Mountain Dew]

Because first gear, you're pretty much shifting a few seconds after you take off.

[ajcadoo]

Originally Posted by Mountain Dew

Because first gear, you're pretty much shifting a few seconds after you take off.

I have never tried, but is it possible to use 2nd from a dead stop?

[NathanUc]

I read that comment a few times and never understood it either. I'm assuming it's just because it takes less effort to just start in 2nd.

I've never timed in, but 0-60 starting in first feels MUCH faster than a 0-60 starting in second. The only main difference I felt was that you start to feel more of the torque curve if you start in 2nd (just because of the progressive change).

Hog-wash I say.

Edit: I guess if you're just going normal riding, it's SLIGHTLY reduced effort/strain on your clutch, but still silly.

[CZroe]

They're just saying that you only use it for a fraction of a second

[KawiKid860]

probably makes it a heck of a lot easier to take off than in 2nd

[CynicalC]

People say that about first gear in just about anything. First gear generally isn't useful for anything except getting to second...

[Skippii]

Compared to a ZX14 or an R1, where first gear is good for any speed limit in the USA, it is kind of useless.

Personally, I think doing 75mph in first gear is pointless.

Also, since the 14 and the Hayabusa will do 186mph in 5th gear, you could also says that 6th gear is useless on those bikes, as it won't go any faster.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by NathanUc

I read that comment a few times and never understood it either. I'm assuming it's just because it takes less effort to just start in 2nd.

I've never timed in, but 0-60 starting in first feels MUCH faster than a 0-60 starting in second.

That's really winding out 1st gear.

[NathanUc]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

That's really winding out 1st gear.

Using first is what I mean. Been at work 14 hours, cut me some slack :P

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by NathanUc

Using first is what I mean. Been at work 14 hours, cut me some slack :P

Still, using 1st to go from 0-60 is winding out 1st gear. Working 14 hours straight is winding out your day.

Slack is for slackers.

[Snake]

Go from a 14T to a 15t front sprocket and 1st gear won' be as useless.

[Zombiphone]

Good question, but I'll do you one better:

Why do people take the things they read on the internet so literally?

[Boom King]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

I have never tried, but is it possible to use 2nd from a dead stop?

Yes, you have shift into second before you come to a dead stop. I feel it's counter-productive though as you really gotta open the throttle just to prevent it from stalling and the bike is chugging away from the stop much slower than it would in 1st.

[eddiekay]

First is useless when you dont know how to use it.
Creeping up the ramp in a parking field, threading thru stopped traffic, making a U on a 1 lane road, sharpening your circles and 8"s when you got nothing else to do, getting thru a little sand, splashing the cagers when they're crawling around the puddle you can go thru and oh yeah...the best...polishing your rear wheel when she's up on the stand. A lltle bit of spit, a paper towel and they look like glass. My fave is giving little kids rides....sounds like you're doing 100, while mom is walking right beside you. The kids like noise. I do too.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by ajcadoo

I have never tried, but is it possible to use 2nd from a dead stop?

Yes, 1st is slightly quicker off the line, but you can take off from 2nd (and even 3rd if you really wind it on) the lower the gear the faster it accelerates

Originally Posted by Skippii

Compared to a ZX14 or an R1, where first gear is good for any speed limit in the USA, it is kind of useless.

Personally, I think doing 75mph in first gear is pointless.

Also, since the 14 and the Hayabusa will do 186mph in 5th gear, you could also says that 6th gear is useless on those bikes, as it won't go any faster.

It will go as fast at a lower rpm in the higher gear, extend the range a bit (because that's really what you're thinking about at that speed)

[cuz]

Originally Posted by Nemesis

Whoever said that doesn't know how to wheelie.

Link to original page on YouTube.

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

Good question, but I'll do you one better:

Why do people take the things they read on the internet so literally?

Internet is srs bsns.

[cuz]

well for me when im next to a R1 & GSXR @ a stop 1st gear ends FAST lol

[outasight20]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

Good question, but I'll do you one better:

Why do people take the things they read on the internet so literally?

^^^^^^^^^

This is almost as good as the answer to the universe being 42. I couldn't agree more.

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

That's really winding out 1st gear.

..and 2nd. And most of 3rd...

[massacremasses]

Someone asked if my clutch was slipping because I didnt seem to be going very fast yet was reving pretty high in 1st gear... I had to explain to him nothing was wrong, its just slow... hahaha

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by cuz

Link to original page on YouTube.

hahahaha!!!!! and that's why you launch with your right foot covering the brake, head over the tank, and don't pop the clutch

looks like a fun night at the drag strip though

[blink]

first gear is really short, always meant for picking up speed quickly.

Its short on every bike and every car, just depends what "short" is defined as by the individual, just like some say 600cc's are too slow

[alex.s]

who says 1st gear is useless? i want to make fun of them. its hard to make fun of them if you dont know who you are making fun of though.

[choneofakind]

It's not useless! You just gotta gear down to make it even more useful!

[lc86]

Its short on every bike and every car, just depends what "short" is defined as by the individual,

In my car 1st will take you up to 40MPH, and the user manual advises that unless you are trying for acceleration you should shift from 1st to 4th. I do agree for the most part though, I always start in 1st gear, it doesn't take much to shift...sounds like people are just getting lazy

[exarch]

Ive tried starting from 2nd on my bike once and I stalled it, but then again I didnt open the throttle enough. In my car I can start do om 2nd(but never do) have u ever tried starting in 2nd on a hill? Its not fun. Lower gears mean faster acceleration, period. Hell I can do 35mph in 5th gear in my car if I shift through all the gears(in traffic) but why would I be in 5th gear going onto the highway at 35mph, itd take forever without droping down a couple gears to get to 65mph. Ide much rather get to 35mph in first gear and be at 65mph in 2nd gear, then upshift to 5th(without skipping gears, can but its better.to hit all gears)

So just keep in mind the proper time to use whatever gear, I know ur not gunna be in 6th gear going up hill, youll prob be in 3rd or 4th(doing 35-45) otherwise youll be losing speed or have to use more throttle. I know im using higher gear comparisons, but it applies to first aswell. ive never ever owned an automatic btw, 1st car was a stick, current car is a stick. Im newer to the bike world, but everything shifts the same, including semi itrucks(been driving semis for 8 years)

But just do what u feel is comfotable and learn your limits with shifting and what u like the best, not what other people like the best. Hell I cant stand driving at high RPMs unelss im passing or accelerating, but some people drive all day long just below redlining(annoys the **** outta me)
Posted via Mobile Device

[mustang5.0]

I use all the gears all....

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by outasight20

^^^^^^^^^

This is almost as good as the answer to the universe being 42. I couldn't agree more.

Life, the universe and everything, really.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by exarch

Ive tried starting from 2nd on my bike once and I stalled it, but then again I didnt open the throttle enough. In my car I can start do om 2nd(but never do) have u ever tried starting in 2nd on a hill? Its not fun. Lower gears mean faster acceleration, period. Hell I can do 35mph in 5th gear in my car if I shift through all the gears(in traffic) but why would I be in 5th gear going onto the highway at 35mph, itd take forever without droping down a couple gears to get to 65mph. Ide much rather get to 35mph in first gear and be at 65mph in 2nd gear, then upshift to 5th(without skipping gears, can but its better.to hit all gears)

So just keep in mind the proper time to use whatever gear, I know ur not gunna be in 6th gear going up hill, youll prob be in 3rd or 4th(doing 35-45) otherwise youll be losing speed or have to use more throttle. I know im using higher gear comparisons, but it applies to first aswell. ive never ever owned an automatic btw, 1st car was a stick, current car is a stick. Im newer to the bike world, but everything shifts the same, including semi itrucks(been driving semis for 8 years)

But just do what u feel is comfotable and learn your limits with shifting and what u like the best, not what other people like the best. Hell I cant stand driving at high RPMs unelss im passing or accelerating, but some people drive all day long just below redlining(annoys the **** outta me)
Posted via Mobile Device

It isn't all in how much you open the throttle, it's also in how much you allow the clutch to slip (slowly starts gaining with the throttle you're already giving it). I think 1st gear exists to save your clutch!

[exarch]

I used the butterfly method(as always, for a nice smooth shift), I had it in second on accident when I stalled. Im sure if I went with a more aggressive shift I wouldnt of stalled, but regardless I always use 1st(unless I accidently put it in the wrong gear, like I did when I stalled) but either way, more throttle could of prevented the stall, just as much as easing out the clutch to the sweet spot using less throttle.

Btw, sorry of my terminology is wrong for motorcycles, I just know car lingo, but sweet spot = the point right before the slip in this case. Meaning the clutch is out of the neutral position, but wont move the bike forward(kind of acts like a break I guess you could. Say) any farther in is neutral and further out will make the bike go forward.
Posted via Mobile Device

[KawiKid860]

I can start in 2nd on my 500, but it takes a lot slower releasing of the clutch paired with more throttle, which I'm sure causes more clutch wear. So I can imagine the 250 would be even more strained, but with enough clutch slippage anything is possible, I've started it in 6th so..

[blink]

Fact is, 1st gear isn't technically useless,

when it comes down to opinions, however, some may find it ..."useless"

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by KawiKid860

I can start in 2nd on my 500, but it takes a lot slower releasing of the clutch paired with more throttle, which I'm sure causes more clutch wear. So I can imagine the 250 would be even more strained, but with enough clutch slippage anything is possible, I've started it in 6th so..

When I wrecked my bike, my neighbor went with me to the towing yard to pick it up. He complained about how little power there was, so he got a long runup and drove the bike up the ramp into his pickup. When we got back to the house to unload it, he couldn't get it into neutral. It was then we realized the lack of power was because the bike was stuck in 6th gear when he drove it up the ramp!

[thisisbenji]

This thread had me thinkinG about my civic. It turns out I actually shift out of first at the same exact point crossing the intersection in the civic as I do with the 250. Guess the 250 drives like an economy car eh?

[Jiggles]

First gear is only good for wheelies

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

First gear is only good for wheelies

its good for burnouts too. i did like a 10 foot long burnout on the 250... but my tires might be bald.

[bud_44]

All the time.