Blipping the throttle when downshifting

[Fifteen15]

I've just watched Keith Code Twist of the Wrist which I would recommend if you haven't already seen it. He talked about blipping the throttle when downshifting so as to not upset the bikes suspension and keep most of the weight on the back wheel. How relevant is this when road riding? I've heard it's good to make it a habit in case you get into a bit of a hairy situation. Also I have an SV650 which has a LOT of engine breaking, would this mean there's more reason for me to have to learn to blip the throttle when downshifting?
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[DrDonnyBrago]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Without doing this or abusing the clutch I don't think I could ride in a way that would be vaguely smooth.

Do it in the car as well.

All the best

Keith
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[Jayy]

Every time.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

De-rigueur on my single and twin...Especially the big pistoned twin.
Given myself a few lurches when changing from the twin to the single (too much blip)
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[Gazdaman]

Absolutely, it transforms riding. Without it it's almost impossible to downshift smoothly (whilst being anywhere near as quick).

It's also practical, on race bikes without slipper clutches it's used to stop the rear wheel locking up when downshifting hard into a corner.

On a bike it is more a 'blip' to bring the revs up properly.

In a car 'the system of car control' calls it a sustained throttle gear change. It's basically the same thing, except instead of a blip you keep the throttle on slightly as you change down, as the clutch goes in, the revs rise (fairly slowly) and you slot in the lower gear smoothly.

Gaz

[G]

[steven_191]

i used to do this in the car but when i started riding i didnt do it. I think i was more involve with learning to ride in general than these extra benefits. i started doing it and it does make it smoother.

after i started riding i got used to slipping the clutch for better control. i started doing this in the car as well. it was quite handy but i did end up destroying the clutch and the flywheel. luckily it was a work car.

(it was quicker than downshifting and made good use of the torque) plus i didnt have to mess around changing up and down gears

some things can and cant be used between different forms of riding

[swiftb]

Ive always done it on the bike and in the cars. Only time I dont do it is on the 750, slipper clutch ftw
It suddenly becomes very neccesary when running a decent pace on track.

[doggone]

Learnt to drive on elderly tractors which you *had* to do it or suffer horrendous gear grinding then come to a halt - no synchromesh, as was normal even in cars until the 60s.
So I still always do it - with all vehicles - as not to do so shows a lack of mechanical sympathy, even if you can get away with it.

[HD]

[Gerrard]

I do like a good blip...
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[Oldie]

[Kickstart]

[Acemastr]

I do it everytime unless i'm really lazy, can't imagine not doing it, it's horrible letting the clutch out slowly and feels like i'm destroying the drive train
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[Dave McCool]

Do it pretty much every time, makes it smoother and it sounds boss, what more do you need?
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[Deckx]

drive train thought that was american speak

[621andy]

Do it all the time...sort of automatic now.

Used the same technique in my '59 Landy too. Although that's slightly more complicated; called Double-declutching for the young whippersnappers on here

If I got it right, I could go up and down the 'box without using the clutch at all, just knock it out of gear on the overrun, then get the revs right, and Bob's your auntie...
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[colin1]

I do it all the time. What you are doing, is matching engine revs to what they need to be for the gear you are changing to, for the speed you are going, before you release the clutch.

I do it without thinking, and if I'm with someone else in a car who doesnt do it, it feels jarring, and I want to tell them how to do it right, but resist as they won't appreciate the advice.

Another technique is clutchless upshifting, which is quite good when accelerating hard.

I rarely do that one and wouldnt be the best person to explain that one.

Although a few weeks ago when my clutch cable was on the way out on a ride back from Anglesey, I shifted without clutch up and down, which isnt ideal, but wouldnt have been possible if I werent able to quickly change revs without thinking the way you do when you blip the throttle.
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[m3-paul]

Always do it, sounds good on my 2T bike as well . I have a BMW M5 and the SMG box does this on each downshift and when dropping gears when being used properly it sounds bloody mental but you also really feel it working in favour of the car.
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[GSTEEL32]

absolute must on the 2t for me. And anything I own that isnt an inline 4 tbh.

I have started doing it in the wife's punto as well which annoys her, but not nearly as much as finding a parking space in Tesco's and instigating a scandanavian flick.

She f**king hates that.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Only if I'm pressing on in the car, or on the bike.
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[deleted111]

Always blip when coming down the gears, always have done.

[Spit-Fire]

out of curiosity, what do people do when they have to make a hurried down shift from say the top of the box to 1st or 2nd .... multiple quick blips for each down shift, or a long continuous one ?
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