How do you downshift to first gear coming to a red light from 50mph?

cadd · September 10th, 2014, 07:38 PM

I always blip (rev match) downshift as I'm slowing down and will blip to first gear around 10 - 15mph. I pull in the clutch around 3mph (when the motor begins to bog down) and come to a complete stop in first gear.

But.....is that overkill? Do you really need to downshift and blip all the way until 1st gear?

Lately, I've been experimenting with blipping until I'm down to 2nd gear. While in 2nd, around 5mph (when the motor begins to bog down), I pull in the clutch and shift to first (without ever releasing the clutch again) and coast a few feet to a complete stop.

The main reason I was playing around with this is because it's one less thing to do (rev match 1st gear). Besides, the bike accelerates fine at 5mph in 2nd gear if I ever had to "go" in a situation where someone was going to rear end me.

One main CON I thought of is: When I've slowed to 5mph (2nd gear) and pull in clutch to shift to 1st while I'm about to put my foot down, perhaps I may NOT be in 1st gear? Maybe I'm stuck between 1st and Neutral (and not realize it)? And if someone comes barreling down at me from behind, I may be a sitting duck???

What are other cons you can think of for someone not blipping all the way down to 1st gear?

If you have another method of coming to a complete stop that's not listed in the poll, please let us know.

Hero Danny · September 10th, 2014, 07:48 PM

I just usually pull in the clutch and click down to first and use the brakes to come to a complete stop, then I pull out the clutch and take off. I will engine brake in certain situations, but not every single stop, it's tedious and honestly it's unnecessary. I'm sure other's will disagree with me, but it's been working fine for me.

cadd · September 10th, 2014, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

I just usually pull in the clutch and click down to first and use the brakes to come to a complete stop, then I pull out the clutch and take off. I will engine brake in certain situations, but not every single stop, it's tedious and honestly it's unnecessary. I'm sure other's will disagree with me, but it's been working fine for me.

So what happens if you're slowing down from 50mph...you pull in the clutch and you shifted into 1st...as you're slowing to 30mph, the light ahead turns green and you have to go? Do you shift back up to 3rd, rev your engine to 5,000rpm in neutral (with the clutch pulled in), then release clutch (revved matched) to go?

Hero Danny · September 10th, 2014, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadd

So what happens if you're slowing down from 50mph...you pull in the clutch and you shifted into 1st...as you're slowing to 30mph, the light ahead turns green and you have to go? Do you shift back up to 3rd, rev your engine to 5,000rpm in neutral (with the clutch pulled in), then release clutch (revved matched) to go?

Well, I never do that method when going from 50 mph to zero. I would engine brake then.

In that scenario where I knew I was in 1st, I was at around 30 mph and knew I had to start accelerating, then yeah, I would up shift twice if I could and try to slowly release the clutch to rev match, once i'm in gear and it smooths out a bit, i'd take off. Again though, that sort of thing just never happens cause usually I will engine brake going those speeds.

Mountain Dew · September 10th, 2014, 08:47 PM

You... don't?

Just downshift normally to 2nd, then disengage the clutch and coast, slowing with your brakes, shifting to first before you come to a complete stop.

Alex · September 10th, 2014, 08:59 PM

nickjpass · September 10th, 2014, 09:13 PM

I have a very tall first gear so I can't really vote on this.

Mountain Dew · September 10th, 2014, 09:53 PM

Even in my Vette I never downshift (and engage) to first. As long as you're rolling, even just a little, 2nd gear should get you moving again reasonably quickly.

Ninjinsky · September 11th, 2014, 01:19 AM

Never engage 1st on the move Usually engine brake down to 3rd for a redlight and click down to 1st once stationary. Unless you live on the side of K2 there is no earthly reason to engage 1st while rolling. It's jerky (in both senses

)

snot · September 11th, 2014, 02:16 AM

Depends... if the light turned fast I do option 1 or 2. If I am cruising I do option 4. I prefer to do 4, but do it many ways.

akima · September 11th, 2014, 02:29 AM

I generally blip and down shift, one gear at a time, all the way to 2nd, then I fully disengage the clutch before downshifting to first. I then coast the last meter or so. I'm still in gear so I can still bring the revs up and engage the clutch quickly if I need to suddenly move.

1st gear is horrible on my ninjette. I don't know what it's like on other motorcycles. If I'm ever actually riding in 1st gear, I'm always skimming the clutch to make things smooth. When I take off from a stand still I'm out of 1st gear within seconds.

When riding at very slow speed in the city I'm always jealous of the scooter riders that are just chilling on their twist and go throttle while I'm constantly faffing about between 1st & 2nd with my clutch hand doing a work out that would put Bruce Lee to shame.

ninja250r81 · September 11th, 2014, 03:47 AM

Just like everyone else - I generally blip to match and down shift, one gear at a time, all the way to 2nd, then I fully disengage the clutch before downshifting to first. I then coast the last meter or so. I'm still in gear so I can still bring the revs up and engage the clutch quickly if I need to suddenly move.

It's not a con (BELOW). It could happen in any gear, any speed at any time.

One main CON I thought of is: When I've slowed to 5mph (2nd gear) and pull in clutch to shift to 1st while I'm about to put my foot down, perhaps I may NOT be in 1st gear? Maybe I'm stuck between 1st and Neutral (and not realize it)? And if someone comes barreling down at me from behind, I may be a sitting duck???

indomie · September 11th, 2014, 06:01 AM

it really all depends on the scenario. i just go to a empty warehouse and practice all the time. and yeah 1st gear is...really short and jerky haha

Ytse Frobozz · September 11th, 2014, 06:22 AM

If I'm stopping for a red light or stop sign, I brake down to like 3 or 4k RPM in whatever gear I'm in, then pull in the clutch and click down to 1st as I brake to a complete stop, click up to neutral, release clutch. Don't forget to check your mirrors so you don't get rear-ended.

If I'm coming to a potential stop but I think there's a good chance I won't have to actually come to a complete stop, I will shift down through the gears as I brake so that I know I'm in the right gear to get going again. I could do this every time, but unless I feel like practicing, the first method is easier.

BlownWideOpen · September 11th, 2014, 06:35 AM

#1 is downright dangerous, #4 is most logical. Also, I find 250's aren't too fond of shifting down to first while moving. It's really twitchy.

nickjpass · September 11th, 2014, 06:37 AM

Where does the 250's first gear top out at? Mine goes to around 70 or 80 mph lol

BlownWideOpen · September 11th, 2014, 06:38 AM

If you wring it out around 50kph/30mph

nickjpass · September 11th, 2014, 06:40 AM

Hmm so that would be sketchy.

subxero · September 11th, 2014, 06:52 AM

typically shift into like 3rd or 4th, wait for the light to turn green, then as the bike struggles to get going from a stop I feather the clutch to help and after that doesn't work much better I pull in the clutch the whole way and slam a bunch down shifts until it wont go any more and just figure I'm now in 1st.

Works every time

Racer x · September 11th, 2014, 07:18 AM

Seven steps to stopping a motorcycle.
1 Look behind you
2 look at the road surface ahead of you. Line up the bike so if you get hit you go between the cars in front. Not
Smashed into them
3 begin down shifting and let off the gas
4 apply rear and front break smoothly as you come to a stop.
5 put you foot down as you stop, not before.
6 hold the clutch and put the trans in first gear.
7 look behind again and get ready to gun it if the idiot on his phone is not going to stop

NevadaWolf · September 11th, 2014, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer x

2 look at the road surface ahead of you. Line up the bike so if you get hit you go between the cars in front. Not smashed into them
....
6 hold the clutch and put the trans in first gear.
7 look behind again and get ready to gun it if the idiot on his phone is not going to stop

Regarding these three points...

I watched a rider on Tuesday pull up dead center behind a SUV type with probably a foot or two between their bumper and his tire. Then I watched as he put it into neutral and sat back on the bike looking around.

I parked a ways back from him, close to the center line to split if needed, and made sure to keep a close eye on my mirrors to pulse my brake for the car coming up quick behind us.

snot · September 11th, 2014, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

... made sure to keep a close eye on my mirrors to pulse my brake for the car coming up quick behind us.

I do this as well.

Singh2jz · September 11th, 2014, 10:32 AM

I practice options 3 & 4.

Sometimes I rev match all the way down to first and sometimes I don't. It all depends if the light had just turned red or if there's a stop sign. To blip down to first IS annoying, but I love rev matching and all you gotta do is rev a little higher, so yeaa...

srob7001 · September 11th, 2014, 01:51 PM

I'm new so I'm still working on the blip the throttle whilst braking. The whole applying front brake while blipping is not very easy for me yet. I can do it pretty good w/o applying the front brake, but don't feel as safe doing that and down revving if a car is behind me. I want them to see brake lights.

I typically pull clutch lever in, and apply both brakes. When I get to 40, I downshift into 4th. 30 DS into 3rd, 20 DS into 2nd, and once I stop I click into 1st. I do not release the clutch lever while doing this, unless the light/traffic starts moving, but I should be in a good gear at this point and just let off clutch and apply throttle.

akima · September 11th, 2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srob7001

I'm new so I'm still working on the blip the throttle whilst braking. The whole applying front brake while blipping is not very easy for me yet.

I still can't do it. I seem to get by without that skill though.

Worldtraveller · September 11th, 2014, 02:10 PM

I ride a 600 on the street. I don't bother blipping/rev matching as I come to a stop. I just hold the clutch, and downshift at appropriate speeds so if I have to go, I'll be in the right gear.

I always flash the brake light a few times as I'm braking, and again as traffic approaches. I only go to neutral once the car behind me is stopped.

ally99 · September 11th, 2014, 04:05 PM

Hmmm, great post! I voted the 2nd one

I brake a bit (so I'm probably below 50 when I start clutching/shifting most of the time), disengage the clutch while continuing to brake, and shift down as I'm coming to a stop (still moving). I'll snick it into 1st just before I come to a complete stop.

InvisiBill · September 14th, 2014, 08:21 PM

Generally speaking, you want to keep the bike in a gear suitable for the current speed. Staying in 6th or immediately shifting all the way down to 1st and coasting with the clutch in is bad, as you're unprepared if something comes up and you suddenly need to accelerate.

Motorcycle transmissions frequently shift better when the output shaft is turning, so I tend to let the clutch out and engine brake a bit between gears. Lately I've been doing two gears at a time - click down twice into 4th and let the clutch out at least a little, then down another two into 2nd, then I'll click down to 1st as I come to a stop. That keeps me in (or very close to) a gear appropriate for my speed, without constantly messing with the gears while I'm slowing.

As mentioned, if you're slowing down via some means other than the brakes, keep an eye out behind you, and at least tap the brakes if you need to, to flash the brake light at the person behind you. They're looking for bright red lights, not concentrating on the deceleration rate of a small object. This applies to manual cars too, but the bigger object is easier to judge the speed of, and you're less likely to die if you get rear-ended in a car than on a bike.

Also, watch the lights for the cross-street and the crosswalk indicators to help judge when your light will change. This can give you a bit of extra info to avoid panic stops or to slow down a little sooner to avoid having to come to a complete stop.

NevadaWolf · September 14th, 2014, 10:01 PM

I've never been able to figure out the whole blipping thing.

Today I paid attention to what I do as I approached a light that changed with enough time for me to slow down to a stop.

See red light, off throttle, apply brakes.
When revs slow enough, clutch in and downshift, clutch out.
Continue applying brakes until speed slows enough for lower gear.
Rinse and repeat all the way into first, with maybe a 5-10 clutch in coast just before the line.

Works for me as if the lights changes to green before I am stopped, already in the right gear to get off the brakes and back on the gas.

Finesse · September 15th, 2014, 11:29 AM

This is a really interesting question!

I just downshift, let the clutch out, let the RPMs slow, downshift again, etc... until I'm in 2nd, and then I shift to neutral and usually I stop in neutral and then shift to first because my bike can be difficult to get into neutral if I come to a stop already in first gear.

My bike has crazy strong engine braking so I usually don't even use my brakes until I'm already in 2nd gear and coming to a halt.

allanoue · September 15th, 2014, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

I've never been able to figure out the whole blipping thing.

Today I paid attention to what I do as I approached a light that changed with enough time for me to slow down to a stop.

See red light, off throttle, apply brakes.
When revs slow enough, clutch in and downshift, clutch out.
Continue applying brakes until speed slows enough for lower gear.
Rinse and repeat all the way into first, with maybe a 5-10 clutch in coast just before the line.

Works for me as if the lights changes to green before I am stopped, already in the right gear to get off the brakes and back on the gas.

This is what I do.

I can bleep but it is a wast of effort if you are just coming to a normal stop.

Ducati999 · September 17th, 2014, 03:01 AM

I just keep down shifting as speed decreases. Proper gear for the speed the bike is moving. I use the clutch on the street but do shift clutchless at the track. I dont use a lot of engine braking just use the brakes and shift down as speed requires so i am always ready to get back on the gas if necessary. Brakes are cheap and engines expensive so I try to keep the proper gear selected for the speed i am going..

salcuta88 · September 17th, 2014, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducati999

I just keep down shifting as speed decreases. Proper gear for the speed the bike is moving. I use the clutch on the street but do shift clutchless at the track. I dont use a lot of engine braking just use the brakes and shift down as speed requires so i am always ready to get back on the gas if necessary. Brakes are cheap and engines expensive so I try to keep the proper gear selected for the speed i am going..

My bike won't shift clutchless. At any speed or any gear...it just won't. I have to pull the clutch in.

Linkin · September 17th, 2014, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salcuta88

My bike won't shift clutchless. At any speed or any gear...it just won't. I have to pull the clutch in.

You need to be off the throttle for clutchless shifting (up or down)

I can clutchless downshift the Ninjette with no throttle (eg when coming to a stop. Without rev matching.).

But mostly I use the clutch because it's smoother and wears out less parts than forcing gears...

Bikes have clutches for a reason

salcuta88 · September 17th, 2014, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linkin

You need to be off the throttle for clutchless shifting (up or down)

I can clutchless downshift the Ninjette with no throttle (eg when coming to a stop. Without rev matching.).

But mostly I use the clutch because it's smoother and wears out less parts than forcing gears...

Bikes have clutches for a reason

I know that, but as I have said, my bike won't shift unless I pull the clutch...yes, my hand is fully off the throttle.

Linkin · September 17th, 2014, 06:08 AM

So you can't forcefully downshift when slowing down, in a higher gear? I did it today on mine...

salcuta88 · September 17th, 2014, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linkin

So you can't forcefully downshift when slowing down, in a higher gear? I did it today on mine...

If I force 20 lbs of pressure, I may...but why would I wanna do that? It feels like it would break something. If I pull the clutch, it shift smoooooth. I guess it's not worn out or something? Who knows.

Nemy · September 19th, 2014, 01:05 AM

If I get lazy I'll downshift without the clutch but I usually don't because the voice inside my head tells me that it's a bad habit and probably bad for the bike.

As for stopping, I engine brake and match speed to the proper gear while flashing my brake lights all the way to 2nd and sometimes 1st. I want to be ready to go whenever I want/need to.

accumack · September 19th, 2014, 02:07 AM

A short video of me downshifting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFfASbKzuKc

cadd · September 20th, 2014, 09:35 PM

Video start in 5th gear. Had to slow down and downshift to 2nd gear for a right hand turn. After the turn, a car was making a U-turn, so I downshift to 1st gear, coming to a complete stop.

Link to original page on YouTube.

View Poll Results: How do you downshift to first gear, coming to a red light from 50mph?
Pull in clutch and coast to the light. Downshift multiple times to 1st while stopped at the light.	3	3.95%
Pull in clutch and coast to the light, downshifting 1 gear at a time but not releasing the clutch.	18	23.68%
Blip and downshift as you slow down all the way to 1st gear. Pull in clutch as you slowed to 5mph.	19	25.00%
Blip and downshift to 2nd gear. Pull in clutch at 5mph and downshift to FIRST. Coast to stop.	25	32.89%
I have another method (explain below)	9	11.84%
What's first gear?	2	2.63%
Voters: 76. You may not vote on this poll

September 10th, 2014, 07:48 PM	#2
Hero Danny Inline 4!!! Name: Danny Location: MA Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.	I just usually pull in the clutch and click down to first and use the brakes to come to a complete stop, then I pull out the clutch and take off. I will engine brake in certain situations, but not every single stop, it's tedious and honestly it's unnecessary. I'm sure other's will disagree with me, but it's been working fine for me. __________________________________________________ Be careful. Remember you are invisible

September 10th, 2014, 08:47 PM	#5
Mountain Dew Ambrosia. Name: Jaymie Location: Oahu, Hawaii Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1974 Honda CB550K0 W.I.P. Posts: A lot.	You... don't? Just downshift normally to 2nd, then disengage the clutch and coast, slowing with your brakes, shifting to first before you come to a complete stop. __________________________________________________ Life's better on the Mountain.

September 10th, 2014, 08:59 PM	#6
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	__________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 10th, 2014, 09:13 PM	#7
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	I have a very tall first gear so I can't really vote on this. __________________________________________________

September 10th, 2014, 07:38 PM	#1
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	How do you downshift to first gear coming to a red light from 50mph? I always blip (rev match) downshift as I'm slowing down and will blip to first gear around 10 - 15mph. I pull in the clutch around 3mph (when the motor begins to bog down) and come to a complete stop in first gear. But.....is that overkill? Do you really need to downshift and blip all the way until 1st gear? Lately, I've been experimenting with blipping until I'm down to 2nd gear. While in 2nd, around 5mph (when the motor begins to bog down), I pull in the clutch and shift to first (without ever releasing the clutch again) and coast a few feet to a complete stop. The main reason I was playing around with this is because it's one less thing to do (rev match 1st gear). Besides, the bike accelerates fine at 5mph in 2nd gear if I ever had to "go" in a situation where someone was going to rear end me. One main CON I thought of is: When I've slowed to 5mph (2nd gear) and pull in clutch to shift to 1st while I'm about to put my foot down, perhaps I may NOT be in 1st gear? Maybe I'm stuck between 1st and Neutral (and not realize it)? And if someone comes barreling down at me from behind, I may be a sitting duck??? What are other cons you can think of for someone not blipping all the way down to 1st gear? If you have another method of coming to a complete stop that's not listed in the poll, please let us know.

September 10th, 2014, 09:53 PM	#8
Mountain Dew Ambrosia. Name: Jaymie Location: Oahu, Hawaii Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1974 Honda CB550K0 W.I.P. Posts: A lot.	Even in my Vette I never downshift (and engage) to first. As long as you're rolling, even just a little, 2nd gear should get you moving again reasonably quickly. __________________________________________________ Life's better on the Mountain.

September 11th, 2014, 01:19 AM	#9
Ninjinsky ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: UK Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Yamaha RS200 (classic) Posts: A lot.	Never engage 1st on the move Usually engine brake down to 3rd for a redlight and click down to 1st once stationary. Unless you live on the side of K2 there is no earthly reason to engage 1st while rolling. It's jerky (in both senses )

September 11th, 2014, 02:16 AM	#10
snot sammich maker Name: snot Location: West Ohio - in the kitchen Join Date: Feb 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 white 300, 09 KLX 250 SF, 09 thunder blue 250(traded) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '15	Depends... if the light turned fast I do option 1 or 2. If I am cruising I do option 4. I prefer to do 4, but do it many ways.

September 11th, 2014, 02:29 AM	#11
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	I generally blip and down shift, one gear at a time, all the way to 2nd, then I fully disengage the clutch before downshifting to first. I then coast the last meter or so. I'm still in gear so I can still bring the revs up and engage the clutch quickly if I need to suddenly move. 1st gear is horrible on my ninjette. I don't know what it's like on other motorcycles. If I'm ever actually riding in 1st gear, I'm always skimming the clutch to make things smooth. When I take off from a stand still I'm out of 1st gear within seconds. When riding at very slow speed in the city I'm always jealous of the scooter riders that are just chilling on their twist and go throttle while I'm constantly faffing about between 1st & 2nd with my clutch hand doing a work out that would put Bruce Lee to shame.

September 11th, 2014, 03:47 AM	#12
ninja250r81 ninjette.org guru Name: scott Location: australia Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 ninja 250r se Posts: 435	Just like everyone else - I generally blip to match and down shift, one gear at a time, all the way to 2nd, then I fully disengage the clutch before downshifting to first. I then coast the last meter or so. I'm still in gear so I can still bring the revs up and engage the clutch quickly if I need to suddenly move. It's not a con (BELOW). It could happen in any gear, any speed at any time. One main CON I thought of is: When I've slowed to 5mph (2nd gear) and pull in clutch to shift to 1st while I'm about to put my foot down, perhaps I may NOT be in 1st gear? Maybe I'm stuck between 1st and Neutral (and not realize it)? And if someone comes barreling down at me from behind, I may be a sitting duck???

September 11th, 2014, 06:01 AM	#13
indomie ninjette.org member Name: danny Location: Austin, tx Join Date: Aug 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2013 636 Posts: 55	it really all depends on the scenario. i just go to a empty warehouse and practice all the time. and yeah 1st gear is...really short and jerky haha

September 11th, 2014, 06:22 AM	#14
Ytse Frobozz Not dead yet! Name: Rob Location: Marlborough MA Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 315	If I'm stopping for a red light or stop sign, I brake down to like 3 or 4k RPM in whatever gear I'm in, then pull in the clutch and click down to 1st as I brake to a complete stop, click up to neutral, release clutch. Don't forget to check your mirrors so you don't get rear-ended. If I'm coming to a potential stop but I think there's a good chance I won't have to actually come to a complete stop, I will shift down through the gears as I brake so that I know I'm in the right gear to get going again. I could do this every time, but unless I feel like practicing, the first method is easier.

September 11th, 2014, 06:35 AM	#15
BlownWideOpen ninjette.org guru Name: Artie Location: Canada Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): Stuff Posts: 284	#1 is downright dangerous, #4 is most logical. Also, I find 250's aren't too fond of shifting down to first while moving. It's really twitchy. __________________________________________________ Paint side up, rubber side down!

September 11th, 2014, 06:37 AM	#16
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	Where does the 250's first gear top out at? Mine goes to around 70 or 80 mph lol __________________________________________________

September 11th, 2014, 06:38 AM	#17
BlownWideOpen ninjette.org guru Name: Artie Location: Canada Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): Stuff Posts: 284	If you wring it out around 50kph/30mph __________________________________________________ Paint side up, rubber side down!

September 11th, 2014, 06:40 AM	#18
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	Hmm so that would be sketchy. __________________________________________________

September 11th, 2014, 06:52 AM	#19
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	typically shift into like 3rd or 4th, wait for the light to turn green, then as the bike struggles to get going from a stop I feather the clutch to help and after that doesn't work much better I pull in the clutch the whole way and slam a bunch down shifts until it wont go any more and just figure I'm now in 1st. Works every time __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.

September 11th, 2014, 07:18 AM	#20
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	Seven steps to stopping a motorcycle. 1 Look behind you 2 look at the road surface ahead of you. Line up the bike so if you get hit you go between the cars in front. Not Smashed into them 3 begin down shifting and let off the gas 4 apply rear and front break smoothly as you come to a stop. 5 put you foot down as you stop, not before. 6 hold the clutch and put the trans in first gear. 7 look behind again and get ready to gun it if the idiot on his phone is not going to stop __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

September 11th, 2014, 10:32 AM	#23
Singh2jz ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Inderveer Location: San Jose Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '07 ex250-F/J Posts: A lot.	I practice options 3 & 4. Sometimes I rev match all the way down to first and sometimes I don't. It all depends if the light had just turned red or if there's a stop sign. To blip down to first IS annoying, but I love rev matching and all you gotta do is rev a little higher, so yeaa... __________________________________________________ The Bike \| The Truck

September 11th, 2014, 01:51 PM	#24
srob7001 ninjette.org member Name: Sean Location: FL Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300, Ebony, non-ABS Posts: 18	I'm new so I'm still working on the blip the throttle whilst braking. The whole applying front brake while blipping is not very easy for me yet. I can do it pretty good w/o applying the front brake, but don't feel as safe doing that and down revving if a car is behind me. I want them to see brake lights. I typically pull clutch lever in, and apply both brakes. When I get to 40, I downshift into 4th. 30 DS into 3rd, 20 DS into 2nd, and once I stop I click into 1st. I do not release the clutch lever while doing this, unless the light/traffic starts moving, but I should be in a good gear at this point and just let off clutch and apply throttle.

September 11th, 2014, 02:10 PM	#26
Worldtraveller ninjette.org sage Name: Lane Location: Medford, OR Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 (trackbike), CBR600RR, GS500F Posts: 588	I ride a 600 on the street. I don't bother blipping/rev matching as I come to a stop. I just hold the clutch, and downshift at appropriate speeds so if I have to go, I'll be in the right gear. I always flash the brake light a few times as I'm braking, and again as traffic approaches. I only go to neutral once the car behind me is stopped.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

September 11th, 2014, 04:05 PM	#27
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	Hmmm, great post! I voted the 2nd one I brake a bit (so I'm probably below 50 when I start clutching/shifting most of the time), disengage the clutch while continuing to brake, and shift down as I'm coming to a stop (still moving). I'll snick it into 1st just before I come to a complete stop. __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

September 14th, 2014, 08:21 PM	#28
InvisiBill EX500 full of EX250 parts Name: Bill Location: Grand Rapids-ish, MI Join Date: Jul 2012 Motorcycle(s): '18 Ninja 400 • '09 Ninja 500R (selling) • '98 VFR800 (project) • '85 Vulcan VN700 (sold) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Aug '15	Generally speaking, you want to keep the bike in a gear suitable for the current speed. Staying in 6th or immediately shifting all the way down to 1st and coasting with the clutch in is bad, as you're unprepared if something comes up and you suddenly need to accelerate. Motorcycle transmissions frequently shift better when the output shaft is turning, so I tend to let the clutch out and engine brake a bit between gears. Lately I've been doing two gears at a time - click down twice into 4th and let the clutch out at least a little, then down another two into 2nd, then I'll click down to 1st as I come to a stop. That keeps me in (or very close to) a gear appropriate for my speed, without constantly messing with the gears while I'm slowing. As mentioned, if you're slowing down via some means other than the brakes, keep an eye out behind you, and at least tap the brakes if you need to, to flash the brake light at the person behind you. They're looking for bright red lights, not concentrating on the deceleration rate of a small object. This applies to manual cars too, but the bigger object is easier to judge the speed of, and you're less likely to die if you get rear-ended in a car than on a bike. Also, watch the lights for the cross-street and the crosswalk indicators to help judge when your light will change. This can give you a bit of extra info to avoid panic stops or to slow down a little sooner to avoid having to come to a complete stop. __________________________________________________ * Unregistered, I'm not your mom and I'm not paying for your parts, so do whatever you want with your own bike. *

September 14th, 2014, 10:01 PM	#29
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	I've never been able to figure out the whole blipping thing. Today I paid attention to what I do as I approached a light that changed with enough time for me to slow down to a stop. See red light, off throttle, apply brakes. When revs slow enough, clutch in and downshift, clutch out. Continue applying brakes until speed slows enough for lower gear. Rinse and repeat all the way into first, with maybe a 5-10 clutch in coast just before the line. Works for me as if the lights changes to green before I am stopped, already in the right gear to get off the brakes and back on the gas. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

September 15th, 2014, 11:29 AM	#30
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	This is a really interesting question! I just downshift, let the clutch out, let the RPMs slow, downshift again, etc... until I'm in 2nd, and then I shift to neutral and usually I stop in neutral and then shift to first because my bike can be difficult to get into neutral if I come to a stop already in first gear. My bike has crazy strong engine braking so I usually don't even use my brakes until I'm already in 2nd gear and coming to a halt.

September 17th, 2014, 03:01 AM	#32
Ducati999 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ant Location: Wooster Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ducati 999 2012 Ninja 250r Ducati748 Yellow finally running 2003 SV650 S (SOLD) Posts: A lot.	I just keep down shifting as speed decreases. Proper gear for the speed the bike is moving. I use the clutch on the street but do shift clutchless at the track. I dont use a lot of engine braking just use the brakes and shift down as speed requires so i am always ready to get back on the gas if necessary. Brakes are cheap and engines expensive so I try to keep the proper gear selected for the speed i am going..

September 17th, 2014, 06:08 AM	#36
Linkin Down Under Name: Linkin Location: Sydney, Australia Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki ZXR250C Ninja Posts: 296	So you can't forcefully downshift when slowing down, in a higher gear? I did it today on mine...

September 19th, 2014, 01:05 AM	#38
Nemy ninjette.org sage Name: Tim Location: Portland, OR Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250R Posts: 796	If I get lazy I'll downshift without the clutch but I usually don't because the voice inside my head tells me that it's a bad habit and probably bad for the bike. As for stopping, I engine brake and match speed to the proper gear while flashing my brake lights all the way to 2nd and sometimes 1st. I want to be ready to go whenever I want/need to.

September 19th, 2014, 02:07 AM	#39
accumack ninjette.org member Name: jim Location: texas currently in Temecula Valley CA Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): honda crf230l & 2013 ninja 300se wife has Honda crf230l & honda cbr250r repsol Posts: 222	A short video of me downshifting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFfASbKzuKc

September 20th, 2014, 09:35 PM	#40
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	Video start in 5th gear. Had to slow down and downshift to 2nd gear for a right hand turn. After the turn, a car was making a U-turn, so I downshift to 1st gear, coming to a complete stop. Link to original page on YouTube. Last futzed with by cadd; September 22nd, 2014 at 10:23 PM.

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