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General Category => General Banter => Topic started by: aschendel on June 17, 2011, 11:03:04 AM
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I've always wondered about not going into (not letting the clutch out) each gear as I move through the gearbox. For example, I often do 1, 2, 4, 6 as I accelerate to highway speeds, sometimes even 1, 2, 6 if I hammer on 2nd. Do you guys do this too? Has anyone had or heard of any indication of gearbox trouble from this practice? I also do it on the way back down, but possibly not as routine, which ones I skip depends on the area under the curve.
Andy
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I skip gears sometimes on downshifts. On the Frontier ride I sometimes find myself braking
hard from very high speed for a corner marked 15 or 20 mph. I will drop 2 gears at once. Both my Kawis have an excellent slipper clutch so there is no rear wheel hop or chatter.
I enjoy upshifting so much that I don't skip gears on an upshift.
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I've always wondered about not going into (not letting the clutch out) each gear as I move through the gearbox. For example, I often do 1, 2, 4, 6 as I accelerate to highway speeds, sometimes even 1, 2, 6 if I hammer on 2nd. Do you guys do this too? Has anyone had or heard of any indication of gearbox trouble from this practice? I also do it on the way back down, but possibly not as routine, which ones I skip depends on the area under the curve.
Andy
I've never heard of any gearbox trouble related to this practice though I don't know much about the mechanics of an engine or transmission.
From my perspective, I'm with Tony. I enjoy up-shifting through the gears so I don't skip over gears. I do at times down-shift a couple gears at a time.
FWIW, the 3 Honda's I've owned (2001 CBR929, 2004 CBR1000, 2007 CBR1000) have at times sent me into what I call a "false neutral" (perhaps I read that phrase once, I dunno). When up-shifting quickly I sometimes shift into a "neutral" space between 5th & 6th gear. All 3 of my Honda's have exhibited this trait.
Perhaps that's because it's the same rider each time. :P
PS. I have been known to on occasion not use the clutch when up-shifting. Primarily because it looks cool. 8) .... mostly kidding.
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Yep. Six-speed transmissions are overkill* for most street riding, especially when taking off in a straight line. I'll often go 1-3-5-6, or 1-2-4-6.
Downshifting from highway speeds at a stop sign, I'll often go from sixth to first with the clutch disengaged just before coming to a stop. I don't think I ever use engine braking to slow in a situation like that.
Brent
*I'm not saying sportbikes shouldn't have six speeds. I'm saying that there are times when three or four would be plently, but when I want all six, I want all six. I doubt I'd ever want a three- or four-speed sportbike, even if it shaved hundreds off the price of the bike.
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When up-shifting quickly I sometimes shift into a "neutral" space between 5th & 6th gear. All 3 of my Honda's have exhibited this trait.
Perhaps that's because it's the same rider each time.
I have done the same on both of my Ducatis and on Yamahas before this. I suspect it is related to how sequential transmissions are designed. And my failure to shift well at times.
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I skip gear all the time with any bike after I reach the speed I want. None of my Honda's have false neutrals.