Perfect Shifting

Last weekend, quite by accident, I learned how to shift gears properly on my bike.

Having had an off-road style 125 as my first bike (and the TM of course) I'm used to having to manhandle the clutch to get the gears changed.

Imagine my surprise when I accidently shifted gears using only one finger on the lever and the tiniest roll-off on the gas. Perfection! I couldn't believe how smooth it was. I'm now obsessed with trying to do it perfectly every time. I don't always, but my ratio of good to bad is getting better evey ride.

Are all 'big' bikes like that or is the Fazer special?

Pazzo levers are definitely the next mod I'm doing.

I agree with the Pazzo Levers as i want them badly, but as far as "Big" bikes shifting like that, I know many people that don't even use the clutch other than in 1st gear and some down shifting in the lower gears, if you pre-load (put pressure on the shifter) and slightly roll off the gas quickly it will release the pressure on the friction plates by itself and the bike will pop right into the next gear.

reiobard said:

I agree with the Pazzo Levers as i want them badly, but as far as "Big" bikes shifting like that, I know many people that don't even use the clutch other than in 1st gear and some down shifting in the lower gears, if you pre-load (put pressure on the shifter) and slightly roll off the gas quickly it will release the pressure on the friction plates by itself and the bike will pop right into the next gear.

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Hmm... maybe that's what's happening. I have learned that if I get too ham-fisted with it it can be very clunky. Invariably it's fine while I'm riding by myself, but when I have the wife on the back my shifting always sucks. Maybe I'm trying too hard to make it smooth.

Doorag said:

Hmm... maybe that's what's happening. I have learned that if I get too ham-fisted with it it can be very clunky. Invariably it's fine while I'm riding by myself, but when I have the wife on the back my shifting always sucks. Maybe I'm trying too hard to make it smooth.

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I notice that when i have a passenger as well my shifting and braking gets crappy and i know it is because i am trying to hard...

reiobard said:

I notice that when i have a passenger as well my shifting and braking gets crappy and i know it is because i am trying to hard...

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And if it's the wife or girlfriend on the back don't they let you know about it as well!!

reiobard said:

I notice that when i have a passenger as well my shifting and braking gets crappy and i know it is because i am trying to hard...

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Same here, had my daughter on the back and thought i was going to make her crazy every time her head hit my back

PlasticPig said:

And if it's the wife or girlfriend on the back don't they let you know about it as well!!

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as with everything else my friend!

The cold weather we've had in the UK makes shifting clunky as my fingers/toes have lost all feeling after a few miles!

Wait....there's actually a way to shift without the clunck? That means I've been shifting incorrectly the whole time. Hmmm

reiobard said:

I know many people that don't even use the clutch other than in 1st gear and some down shifting in the lower gears, if you pre-load (put pressure on the shifter) and slightly roll off the gas quickly it will release the pressure on the friction plates by itself and the bike will pop right into the next gear.

Click to expand...

please don't try this at lower rpm's. it make an evil sound and doesn't feel good for the bike/tranny/etc.

madmanmaigret said:

please don't try this at lower rpm's. it make an evil sound and doesn't feel good for the bike/tranny/etc.

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That is for sure. But when done correctly it is really good. When on the gas the bike just seems to rocket as you shift, very cool!

PlasticPig said:

And if it's the wife or girlfriend on the back don't they let you know about it as well!!

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yeah, they both complain about it if i get too bad :Sport:

1st gear clunk yup.... Beyond that is is very smooth because I ain't pulling that leaver until it hits 5K or more. Anything less and my Harley shifts better. The action on the stock lever requires very little pressure on mine but if I try the old pull it all the way in trick it don't like it.