So, i just started riding a motorcycles. I've taken the MSF course and never driven a manual before and im a bit confused about shifting and how the clutch works. I suppose i should of asked my teacher this but i didnt really think about it then. Anyway, i realize you start in neutral, pull in the clutch, shift down to 1st, then slowly let out the clutch and roll on the throttle. I know how to shift up and down conservatively, but if someone could give me some pointers it would be very helpful before i purchase my first bike. (2004 ninja 250)

 

Sounds like you know the basics, the rest is self taught. The 250 will be forgiving enough to make slight mistakes.

 

Yea, i saw some guys shifting up without using the clutch and i was like huh?

 

Yep. Most of my shifts, up and down are clutchless. For you, I would say USE your clutch, until you get shifting down smooth. Not really any pointers, like Lemac said, kinda self taught. Just watch that take off. Don't give too much throttle. Find the release point on the clutch. And don't get over confident. good luck man.

 

Probably had slipper clutches that allow cluthless upshifts

 

lol lol slipper clutches......

I know the new muffler bearings really quited down my exhaust.

 

Hey BR, I am sure that the slipper clutch does not mean PINK!

 

Since the '90 zx7 had the "slipper clutch", is that allowed?

 

The muffler bearings worked? I was thinking about getting some of those installed when I take my bike to the dealership to get the blinker fluid changed.

 

lol guys.

for clutchless shifting you need to get used to feeling where on the trottle at any given speed you are neither accelerating nor decelerating. this takes the load off the gears and allows it to slip out of gear easily.

the process of clutchless shifting up through the gears basicly involves backing off the throttle just enough to remove the loading from the gears and jerk the shifter real quick then back on the gas..

down shifting is a dad more complicated.. you will do this while decellerating so you have to add throttle and just as its passing that zone of unloading the gears you shift and let off the gas again.

its really easy to get used to clutchless shifting between 3rd-4th-5th-6th when cruising around town because the RPM difference when going slower is really small so the shifts will be smooth. 1st-2nd is trickier to make it smooth and i only really do that is i'm hauling ***. if i'm cruising around relaxed i usually clutch 1-2 and sometimes 2-3 i don't think i ever use the clutch after 3rd