city traffic

first bike and wasn't sure if it's better to downshift to lights during heavy traffic or just use clutch until stopped. Also, do most people recommend waiting at a stop in gear with the clutch in or shift into neutral????

 

Well, everyone probably has an opinion on that. I like to downshift to slow down before I apply the brakes, mainly 'cause it's fun to blip the throttle and make a seamless downshift! I don't know if other riders do that or whether it is a 5891jonathan thing.

However, I know there is a good reason to leave the bike in 1st gear at a light. I do not want some SUV slamming into me from behind! I always leave it in gear with an escape route open. I am constantly checking the mirrors for that inattentive SUV, you know?

 

IMO I always leave the bike in gear when engine braking into stop and go's, If you are just coasting into a stop with clutch in you would have to modulate clutch and throttle a bigger task if a panic situation happened and you needed to skoot.
I frequently leave the bike in gear at stops especially if traffic following me up in case you have to dump clutch and vault ahead if they try to kill you from behind. A longtime rider friend/racer we know got pitched 50 feet and just crushed buy a bluehair that tagged him at 45mph without even slowing down. He was going to 7-11 for smokes, no jacket or anything lucky to be here, ruined his racing career though he still does color commentary broadcasting for races.

 

I tend to change it up. Sometimes I'll drift into a stop with the clutch in clicking down several gears, sometimes I'll blip them down. Depends on the mood/situation/traffic.

One thing I do make sure I do is keep in gear up the car approaching me definitely stops. After that, I'm sitting neutral.

This is like an oil thread, MANY opinions and preferences.

 

Took the words right out of my mouth, two4one. K9style00, this being your first bike, just remember to ride within your comfort level. Keep asking questions and ride every chance you get, you'll be the one giving the answers before you know it.


Luck & Experience
"You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck."

 

Hey I am suprised that no one asked the newbie if he took the MSF BRC or ERC course. This is something that would be addressed depending on the coach. There are a lot of people trying to learn with out the proper instruction and they put everyone's life and property at risk.

 

For me it's a mood thing. most of the time I blip / down shift one at a time. then there's the once in a while I'll pull in the clutch and coast. thing is with that it's way easier to down shift if you're moving. Then there's when I know I'll be at the stop for a while I'll click it into neutral give my hands a stretch, but most of the time I'm ready to launch.

 

emon07 has a good point. Someone truly new to the sport would benefit from a MSF class. Handling, street strategems, etc. are the key to safe riding for the long term. I think I should take a refresher myself.

 

I normally downshift without doing much engine braking when coming to a light. Using the brakes mostly. If you come to a complete stop in 5th or 6th gear, you'll have to get it back into 1st before the light turns green. As you all know, it takes more than just pushing the shifter down 4 or 5 times. You have to work the clutch a little to get it to go into the next lower gear when you are stopped. I also like to be in 1st until the car behind stops, then click into N. If it is a long light, holding the clutch in the whole time can heat the clutch, wear the clutch springs, and wear the release bearing.

 

I always go into nuetral and rest my arms and hands too.

 

Interesting insights on a routine part of riding. One thing I have noticed about engine braking to the stop light - it takes me a longer distance to stop than if I did it eddievalleytrailer's way. Sometimes it doesn't matter, so like I said, it's kinda fun to engine brake and make those smooth downshifts through the gears. Other times there are cars on my tail and I don't want to invite them to run up my tailpipe, so I just brake with the clutch pulled, downshifting to first along the way.

I still always leave the bike in first at the light. Call me paranoid, I guess.

 

I do both; which i do depends on the situation.

 

Always leave yourself the option of applying power quickly.... When I pass a truck on the highway, I downshift even if it's not necessary. Gives me the quick pass and also allows to throttle it if the truck inches into my lane, etc..

I rode/live in San Francisco for 5 years. Always in gear-always. Escape routes, etc.. You can't go wrong with having full power at your disposal-there WILL come a day when you need it, and NOW. I know that from time to time popping into first can hesitate, even the bike may need to roll and inch forward to fully engage into gear. You don't want to find that out with a car hauling ass behind you or a bum messing with you at a light.

New to bikes/riding in the city. Head on a swivel... If you can/your town has them, learn the one way streets. At least it eliminates the head on situation. Use trucks and busses as 'blockers' in traffic/crossing streets.

Just know that everyone IS out to get you and you will be better off....

 

I feel the same way it would suck not down shifting and setting at a light having to down shift setting still ? and i will kick it out of gear if im going to be there a while .

 

When I took delivery of my new 1966 CB 50, the man at the Honda dealership told me never hold the clutch in at a light, stop sign or rail way crossing because it would overheat the clutch plates and throw out bearing, Being young and impressionable I formed a habbit of doing just that. Today it is second nature , the clutch gets held in as little as possible.

 

Thats Strange,
When i bought my first street bike the sales man told me that also but i new that was not correct sence i was a mechanic, he also said not to down shift that it would wair out the timing chain , i never had a chain brake from downshifting