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**Aryan** · 05-20-2010, 09:54 AM

Query Approved.

**Mik** · 05-20-2010, 10:17 AM

@Aryan: Your inputs are needed on this !! You are the smoothest rider here getting 55 from a p200 on hill rides

I personally follow the first approach, gradually going down the gears depending on the angle of the turn unless its something i missed spotting (speed breaker, bad road)

**spiderweb** · 05-20-2010, 10:31 AM

While ripping on highways, I follow 2nd way (in a different manner though) for down-shifting & clutchless for up-shifting.

While commuting, I follow exactly opposite...

@Aryan: you get 55 kmpl from a p200 on hill rides?

how come dude

**rachitkohli** · 05-20-2010, 11:32 AM

AFAIK, Downshifting For slowing down you need to definitely pull clutch, drop a gear & release it.. This will help you break the speeds..!

**niks_devil666** · 05-20-2010, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by ashaq54 View Post

i am riding my Yamaha YZF R15 for the last 2 months or so. could you please tell me if it's ok to downshift several gears at a time while slowing down or, i should downshift one gear at a time...?say...i am going at 60kmph@4th and need to take a turn 100 yards ahead..do i need to downshift individually one gear at a time and letting the clutch go everytime
(Like: 4th>gas>downshift>3rd>gas>downshift>2nd>gas>downsh ift>1st)?

Or, can I downshift from 4th to 1st pulling in the clutch, pressing the gear down 3 times and then releasing the clutch (like: Pulling Clutch In>Downshifting 3rd>2nd>1st>Release clutch>gas)? which one is the proper way to shift and is there any negative impact on engine/transmission if i take the second approach (shifting down several gears at a time)?

i know it sounds a bit awkward but, since i am new rider, a lil' bit of suggestion from you will be a great help for me.

looking forward to your feedback.
thanks.

downshift - clutch - downshift - clutch

**dcs** · 05-20-2010, 12:44 PM

I liked the query!

And yes, anyone is free to kill me if I sound novice!Am no pro either.

Downshifting a gear at a time or couple of them depends hugely on the requirement and the feed from the vehicle.

too much downshift, more than required will lead to wheel lock, too less downshift will lead to knocking sound.

It would be better to downshift one gear each time, so as to get best Fuel efficiency, plus least strain on engine, my belief is, un necessary downshifting might have some adverse effect on lots of engine parts, including the crank and con rod. Many downshifts on the other hand gets a wonderful acceleration ( but at the cost of Fuel efficiency). Also, might get undesired wheel locks, loss of traction.

all cheers

dcs

**himanshumm** · 05-20-2010, 12:46 PM

With my lillte knowledge , it's a better idea to go for depressing (release) clutch evertime when you downshift the gears (the first case of yours) and what many of us follow because:-
1) Will do no harm to engine in first case, while contineous downshifting may get wear of sprocket tooths due to lack of gear ratio (if practising this for long).
2) Reduces chances of wear of gear levers as when you keep on downshifting gears in a speed say 60kmph you may feel the sound as something get stucks & sounds (knocking) as Khat-Khat-Khat with every gear changes
3) This will help you better command over bike in high speed.As It will brake the speed, do not open the throttle when downshifting gears & depressing clutch.
4) Chances of skidding is no or say minimal whereas while downshiting the gears applying brakes may cause a serious skid & chances are really High while cornerning

**venomafiax** · 05-20-2010, 07:51 PM

please help!!

awesome query.... i ride a FZs and this is my first bike... i down shift according to the second method as mentioned above... like from 4th @ 70 i slow down with the accelerator and then while its yet on 4th but only at 30 i downshift ___> 3 > 2 and then release clutch on 2nd... .... is this bad please let me know thanks!!!

**Makky** · 05-20-2010, 08:42 PM

Downshifting my way...

If I need to lower my speed(Reason ranging from a turn to a cow saying hello to me

), I pull-in the clutch, apply brake/brakes, downshift(Braking and downshifting happen almost simultaneously) to a particular gear which matches the speed and rpm at that point, off from brakes and clutch and there goes the throttle. I frankly don't know whether it's the right way to ride or not but, I am sure that the engine remains free from any strain and wearing.

This is what I have been doing from almost a decade. I never go for complete engine braking. That mode is good and useful only for the track!

**rennycornelius** · 05-20-2010, 10:04 PM

Downshifting the right way:

To save gearbox from making loud banging noices evrytime you downshift, blip the throttle before every downshift,also known as matching the revs technique.

Never shift down continously from say 5 to 2 at one go, i.e clitch pulled and downshifting in process, always depress the clutch to the halfway after each shift so that the engine will be in the RPM the specefic gear desires.

This will come by practice.

**MaSh** · 05-21-2010, 02:55 AM

Bad habit/practice to downshift holding clutch. The clutch should be pulled in, to change 1 gear at a time. Need to change another gear, disengage again and change gear. Meanwhile mildly using the break to slow down the bike.

Ideally, if one has to slow down, use break to slow down, when the engine is going below the current gear's rpm range and is just about to start jerking, disengage clutch -> Shift down -> Engage Clutch. Same procedure for every gear.

**tharikiran** · 05-21-2010, 03:42 AM

Originally posted by Makky View Post

Downshifting my way...

If I need to lower my speed(Reason ranging from a turn to a cow saying hello to me

), I pull-in the clutch, apply brake/brakes, downshift(Braking and downshifting happen almost simultaneously) to a particular gear which matches the speed and rpm at that point, off from brakes and clutch and there goes the throttle. I frankly don't know whether it's the right way to ride or not but, I am sure that the engine remains free from any strain and wearing.

This is what I have been doing from almost a decade. I never go for complete engine braking. That mode is good and useful only for the track!

Exactly. I do the same.If I am doing 70's or 90's and if I see trouble; there is no time or chance to change 1 gear at a time.There is no time to close and release the clutch for each gear.

I will pull in the clutch, down shift, negotiate the obstacle, move into the gear which feels right at that speed and release the clutch and pull away.No engine breaking nor rear tyre locking up.

However, if we do the opposite and change one gear at a time and if we haven't slowed/applied breaks sufficiently, it will result in engine breaking and rear end locking up.

The only downfall of pulling in the clutch and trying to down shift multiple gears is, sometimes the gear just wont engage. We then need to disengage the clutch, then pull it back again and then down shift.

In city traffic, I would prefer to change a gear at a time to avoid the above problem of gear not getting engaged.

**RAK** · 05-21-2010, 11:35 AM

What i know is that on highways downshifting with every clutch release works.....but I think it completely depends on your habit and its very hard it change it. I tried it many times but didnt work for me. Everytime i do the same thing (Downshifting by holding the clutch). I know thats bad but really hard to change it as i am used to it now.

**sheelpriye** · 05-21-2010, 12:08 PM

what i do--
brake, pull in clutch, blip and go down one cog at the same time,

repeat the process for as many down shifts as i do

for real emergency, no clutch and no down shifts, just modulating the brakes and keep dabbing the brakes(as much as of a manual ABS a human brain and fingers can do)

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