when turning at moderate speed when i downshift it jumps sideways

I dont know why but when i'm downshifting in a turn the rear end seems to jump sidewayz its not a good feeling , the tire pressure is good and the tires are new , anyone know why it would do this??

 

Downshifting should be done before a turn, NEVER in a turn.

Carefully and skillfully matching rear wheel speed with engine speed (through the clutch) is an essential riding skill and will minimize the problem you describe.

The proper speed for a turn should be set before turning in, based upon your experienced judgement of several factors, and turns should be ridden with a neutral throttle or, better, with slight increase in throttle through the turn.

Find and study a copy of Kieth Code's book "A Twist of the Wrist" for additional info.

 

My question too. Sounds like you need to match engine speed to the gear your going to be in was my first thought. yea changing gears mid corner is tricky anyway, so unless there's a major reason to do so, do it before or after the turn. besides the VFR has good mid and low range torque, so plow through the turn.

 

The same thing happened to me last Sunday. It scared me the sh@@ out. I tough I was going to fall from the bike. It's been like 11 years since the last time I rode a bike, so I'm real rusty. Anyway I'll never do that again, from Sunday foward I'll downshift before the curb.

 

Downshifting before a curve should be done while bike and wheels are running straight ahead and before leaning into turn.

 

I second some reading on Twist of the Wrist!

 

:amen: I 3rd it as well. Any sudden change in speed caused by a ill timed shift in a turn is a recipe for disaster. Just imagine if there was some sand or oil in that corner that you didn't see... Set up your speed while entering and ease her through.. smooooooth! :smokin:

 

ditto on what squirrelman said. Never downshift in a corner and blip the throttle to match engine and wheel speed to keep the ass end from stepping out on you.

 

As the others said, you shouldn't be doing any shifting or braking in a turn anyway.

But as for the CAUSE, my guess would be that the pressure from engine braking on the rear wheel is causing a temporary skid (Or potentially that your swing arm has too much play).

If I'm in a turn and I'm in too high a gear (lugging the motor), rather than shift I just work the friction zone with the clutch to manage my roll on. Gears 2-5 on my bike feel REALLY close. First feels really far from 2nd... If I downshift to first at about 20mph and abruptly let the clutch out, my rear tire will skid.

When it hops are you downshifting into first by chance? Or what gear in particular (if one)?

 

Well it doe's it at any gear i'm at and I see now I just need to downshift before turning point blank, I must have gotten myself in the habit for some odd reason , I have ridden bikes my whole life ,I had my first honda cr80 when I was nine but this is my first real street bike that I have ridden on a daily basis , but thanks guys for showing me the error of my ways

happy riding

 

Even on the race track, we don't routinely down shift in the corner. It can be done but it isn't the fastest way around the corner, or the safest.
But for all the other times when you are shifting. Try to do it so there is no lurch when you shift. If you have a passenger, you don't want them to even feel the shift. Practice SMOOTH!

 

My brother's '05 GSX-R 750 is notorious for skidding the rear end around when downshifting to 2nd or 1st... Even when straight up and before the turn. Even when matched perfectly, if you're not gentle with the clutch lever, the rear end will chatter. As a matter of fact, I think his '00 Monster 750 did the same thing!

It's just one of the downsides of a 12.5:1 compression ratio... Lots of engine braking. The VFR (4G) is 11:1, so same deal.

 

Many racetrack classes practice the mantra, "Be smooth, then speed will come automatically"