craig007
Senior Member
I have about 1 month and about 1000 miles of riding experience so far. At the MSF course we only got up to 2nd gear, so downshifting was not an issue. Now with the 6 speed FZ6 there are more issues.
Cruising in 5th or 6th at about 45 mph and there is a red light or stop sign ahead. I have been hitting the brakes and when I get to about 20 mph, I squeeze the clutch and shift all the way down to first (clutch squeezed the whole time). By the time I'm stopped, I'm in first. If the light changes before I'm stopped, I just kick it up to second and keep going.
I have been reading that "real" sports bikers downshift, one gear at a time, letting the clutch out in each gear, sometimes while applying the front brake. I guess this does keep the RPM's up, but it seems like a lot of work and engine braking.
Also when approaching a street corner that I know I will take at about 20 mph I have been squeezing the clutch and going directly to 2nd (by keeping the clutch lever squeezed and pumping down through the gears and releasing the clutch when I am in 2nd).
So, what is the poper technique. Are you supposed to downshift one gear at a time, always keeping the RPM's in the 4000 range (even when you know you are coming to a complete stop?
Cruising in 5th or 6th at about 45 mph and there is a red light or stop sign ahead. I have been hitting the brakes and when I get to about 20 mph, I squeeze the clutch and shift all the way down to first (clutch squeezed the whole time). By the time I'm stopped, I'm in first. If the light changes before I'm stopped, I just kick it up to second and keep going.
I have been reading that "real" sports bikers downshift, one gear at a time, letting the clutch out in each gear, sometimes while applying the front brake. I guess this does keep the RPM's up, but it seems like a lot of work and engine braking.
Also when approaching a street corner that I know I will take at about 20 mph I have been squeezing the clutch and going directly to 2nd (by keeping the clutch lever squeezed and pumping down through the gears and releasing the clutch when I am in 2nd).
So, what is the poper technique. Are you supposed to downshift one gear at a time, always keeping the RPM's in the 4000 range (even when you know you are coming to a complete stop?