Noob Question about downshifting | GTAMotorcycle.com

Noob Question about downshifting

key3thermal

key3thermal

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Hey, i got got insurance Friday, picked up plate Saturday, and took the the bike out for a ride (2009 ninja 250r Blue) .. saw some bikes on the road, did my first 3 waves!

My question is about downshifting, i took the safety course and they didn't cover it.

I go to a red light, come to a complete stop then shift down all the way to 1.

I want to be able to downshift and engine break because if the light turns green before i come to a stop i can quickly take off.

This is what i understand from reading around for downshifting.

1. close throttle ( No gas)
2. pull in clutch
3. shift down to 5 from 6.
4. let the the clutch out slowly
5. repeat ....

Could i also downshift and engine break with out the clutch?
 
The only thing missing is to apply a tiny bit of throttle as you downshift so you can match engine speed to wheel speed when you engage the clutch (not doing this can cause the rear wheel to lock up slightly). It'll take a bit of practice but after not too long it becomes second nature; you'll simply feel how much throttle you have to apply given your speed and gear.
 
dpmachine said:
The only thing missing is to apply a tiny bit of throttle as you downshift so you can match engine speed to wheel speed when you engage the clutch (not doing this can cause the rear wheel to lock up slightly). It'll take a bit of practice but after not too long it becomes second nature; you'll simply feel how much throttle you have to apply given your speed and gear.
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You don't need to revmatch when your downshifting, all you have to do is pull in clutch, drop a gear, slowly release clutch (This is very important!)
 
HA3AP said:
You don't need to revmatch when your downshifting, all you have to do is pull in clutch, drop a gear, slowly release clutch (This is very important!)
Click to expand...

ummm ok
didnt know the ninja 250 came with a SLIPPER clutch lol
 
^^ Rev matching is not something you wanna try AS you are learning to downshift...one step at a time.

a 250 will not lockup or stutter the rear tire unless u try downshifting into first, which you shouldnt be doing right now anyways...
 
Remember to tap your rear brake when downshifting so the cagers behind you know you are slowing down.
 
reciprocity said:
yes it will.
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You'd have to either be in the middle of a corner, or way high in third gear, then drop to second - wait for rpms to come to idle, then dump the clutch....
even then, if going straight, on a ninja 250 only a little stutter would result.
 
The 250 fishtailed on downshifts a lot more often than the 600 I have now.
 
Which safety course did you take? They didn't cover downshifting at all, or did they just not go very in depth?
 
Niether of my past two bikes (ninja 250 and ninja 500) had slipper clutches, and I never once had a problem with rear-wheel lockup. I usually give a little throttle, but barely even used my bikes (most of my riding on those bikes was gentle commutes)
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