Re: Effective riding

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Re: Effective riding

I don't think the part with clutch always getting engaged while not accelerating is correct. It is better to let the bike coast while not accelerating without pulling in the clutch. Also, pulling clutch while small braking is also not correct. Clutch operations should only be on a "need" basis.

I use the coasting method when I need to stop at a large distance, like when I see a red light from far.

Re: Effective riding


But does it do any harm to the bike ?? I have gotton fairly used to this method. If the effects are negligible then i might as well continue with it...!! What ur opinion?

Re: Effective riding

Clutch plates will wear out quickly. The ideal way is only pull in clutch only when you have to change a gear.
Let me give you an example. if you are riding at 60 in 5th gear and apply brakes to come down to 50, no need to pull in the clutch. But if you are riding at 60 in 5th gear and apply brakes to come down to 20 (speed breaker or a car in front), then you pull in clutch while braking and shift down to 2nd gear at the same time.

What I mean to say is only pull in clutch while braking if you are going to change a gear, else just release the throttle and dab the brakes.

As you are new to riding, you can change the style easily. It is hard to unlearn a old bad habit, so make sure you learn correct riding habits so that the bike is in good health and serves you for a long time without any problems.

Re: Effective riding

But when to pull the clutch while coming to zero from 60 or else it will stop.also when he needs to shift gears if not stopping? Coz from 50 to 20 and if he is still in 5 gear it's bad then

Re: Effective riding

As rightly mentioned by [MENTION=69523]Ankey[/MENTION] the clutch plates will wear out. Plus, heating of engine too. When I had my first bike around 13 years back, I too experimented with this method. But then gave it up because of a drop in mileage.

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Pull the clutch when you feel the need of changing gears. When I have to go from 60 to 0 and am at the fifth gear, I'll let the bike coast at the same gear till about 30. Then, I'll go from 5th to neutral and then let it coast/brake till zero.

From 50 to 20 in 5th gear --> Similar approach. Coast till about 30. Then pull the clutch and downshift to the 3rd gear. Blip the throttle for rev matching and release the clutch.

BTW, high gear in low speed will not hurt the engine unless you give throttle. So, coasting at 30 in 5th gear is fine till the time you want to accelerate. Others, please correct me if I am wrong here...

Re: Effective riding

In some motorcycles, finding neutral while motorcycle is in motion might be harder; it may as well 'THUD' to first gear.

Re: Effective riding

what about going up a flyover ? i do it in 3rd gear, at around 35 - 40 kmph but it lugs a bit.is that ok ?

Re: Effective riding

If it lugs & engine knocking & vibrating, then you have to down shift the gear and pick up the vehicle. When you feel it is running smoothly & no lugs then you can change to upper gears.

Re: Effective riding

This is the best explanation, couldn't have explained better myself..

you can be in 6th gear and can coast down till 30, engine will not lug until you accelerate, when you need to accelerate shift down to 3rd and zoom off. I myself do the same thing on my R15.
But many people find it difficult to know how many gears they have to shift down and which gear they should be in for a particular speed (people who are new to riding, like yourself). You can shift down one gear at a time as the speed decreases, ie 60 in 5th gear, you see a speed breaker ahead or have to stop completely, brake till 40 without clutch, pull clutch when you are at 40 and shift down to 4th for 40 till 30, then shift down to 3rd for 30 till 20, then 2nd for below 20 speeds, go over the speed breaker release the clutch and accelerate. If you have to stop completely, shift down to 1st at 10 and then to neutral, this way you get to smooth stop at 0 and bike in neutral.

In this way you will always be in correct gear in every speed, the engine will not knock or lug and you will not have to remember how many gears you have to downshift after every time you brake.

Hope I cleared your doubts and did not added to your confusion.. feel free to ask us as many doubts as possible, we are happy to help.
Ride safe.

Re: Effective riding

Lugging is quite bad for the engine. You need not climb a flyover necessarily at 3rd gear. It can be done at second gear too. In fact, with a pillion, it would be really difficult to get over a flyover in 3rd gear at low speeds. As a thumb rule, Whenever you find engine lugging downshift to a lower gear.

Re: Effective riding

What's the engine RPM at that speed?
What's your engine's peak-Torque RPM?

Re: Effective riding


Thanks for the tips. I experience a drop in pick up a few times. The pick up is fantastic during the first few kms, comparable to 150 cc bikes, then after a couple of red lights it drops really badly, Even TVS XL accelerate past me. Then after a few painful kms the pick up comes back again. any reason for this ?

Bike is honda Livo max tourque 8.60 Nm @ 5,500 rpm.

P.S Bike is still due for first service 550 kms done till now

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No tachometer available bro...
Max Tourque is 8.60 Nm @ 5,500 rpm

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The thing is i enter the flyover at around 35 - 40 kmph, isn't 2nd gear a bit too low for that speed ? and by lugging i mean it just doesn't sound happy, not the normal jerk lugging we get...!!

Re: Effective riding


Brother I cannot advice anything about the pickup without riding the bike myself. there may be many reasons for the lack of Pickup.
One of the most common is that people unknowingly put pressure on the rear brake pedal and this causes low pickup, low mileage and engine heating.
make sure that you don't put any pressure on the rear brake pedal, also check if the brake shoes are not scraping with the drums. If the problem persists, tell the service center guys when you take it for the service.

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for 35 to 40 3rd gear is suitable. for 40 and above 4th. As I said before, keep changing your gears according to your speed and you will always be in the correct gear.
0-10 1st.
10-20 2nd.
20-30 3rd .
40-50 4th.
50 and above 5th.

Only you can know which gear is suitable for which condition. listen to the engine, if it is roaring and grunting, shift up from 2nd to 3rd. If it is lugging and struggling, shift down to 2nd or 1st.
Ride safe.