How to downshift while blipping throttle?

[Fifteen15]

The last couple of weeks I've been trying to learn how to downshift while blipping the throttle to keep things smooth. In theory I can do it, clutch in, gas on and off, clutch out, however putting it into practice on the bike is a totally different ball game. I just can't figure it out. My bike either jerks too much (presuming I'm blipping too much with the throttle), or if it IS smooth, I'm still not sure whether I've done it right. I would ask my friends who ride but none of them blip the throttle when downshifting. I am however determined to get it right no matter how long it takes

So how did you learn how to do it? Any tips?
____________________
"Pain is weakness leaving the body, and blood makes the grass grow faster...but I'll wear my gear anyway"

[Matt06]

Could of merged this question into the other gear related one.

Basically, don't use the clutch........... haha

That's the main area where you are going wrong. To 'quick shift' you don't use the clutch. Its only really worth doing if you are really on it and the timing needs to be right.
____________________
Current: MT-10, Bandit, Grom, GPZ500
Previous: YBR125, GSXR400, ZXR400, MT-03, NTV650, R6, z750, ZX6R, MT-09

[Fifteen15]

[johnsmith222]

[Matt06]

So are these questions a joke?
____________________
Current: MT-10, Bandit, Grom, GPZ500
Previous: YBR125, GSXR400, ZXR400, MT-03, NTV650, R6, z750, ZX6R, MT-09

[johnsmith222]

[Matt06]

[Frost]

Unless you're riding a shit hot 2 stroke there's no reason to blip on the down shift.
Smooth shifting can be done by by giving a little throttle as you let the clutch back out on a down shift to syncronise the engine speed tot he road speed. The amount of throttle depends on how fast you're slowing down etc.
You can also double clutch. Thats letting the clutch out in neutral before pulling it back in to change to the next gear. Doesn't work on bikes though

[Jim Mc]

I had this same issue, couldn't get the hang of it, gave up on it in the end.

Then last week I was demonstrating to a friend how to change gear on a bike, and realised I'm doing it anyway.

So just forget about it, you'll pick it up naturally if you need it, the basic idea is to bring the engine revs up to speed with the road wheel, your brain will kick in and one you've spent enough time on your bike you'll be doing it subconciously.

[DrDonnyBrago]

This is all an opinion, it works for me, my practice tips are what I did - experiences may vary. Some may disagree with me, that is fine, tell the OP how you do it.

How I do it:

Two fingers on the brake lever, other two and thumb gripping the throttle. Apply brakes, as the bike is slowing, I blip the throttle so it raises a few k whilst slipping my fingers over the brake lever so I am braking consistently but my hand can move to actuate the throttle. At exactly the same time as I begin the blip I pull the clutch, then quickly tap down the gear and before the revs have dropped smoothly release the clutch. It should be quick and smooth. If it is jerky, the revs jump when you release the clutch and the bike slows down then you either didn't blip it enough or more likely you took too long between blipping and changing gear/releasing the clutch.

What I did to practice:
To practice, slip the clutch like you probably are doing already but do a slow blip as well, it should work exactly the same as just slipping but you can feel the bike needs to slip the clutch less for the engine and gears to mesh, you don't get the same resistance slowing you down that you get if you just slip the clutch. Gradually increase the speed at which you release the clutch and do shorter sharper blips to match. Getting it monumentally wrong can mean your back wheel locks up so don't just dump the clutch without blipping, of you slip the clutch slowly and blip to begin with you can get a feel for what works.


It is kind of covered here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8pnaRpDU1A



Try it on deserted roads to begin with, fucking it up is unlikely but it is best to be away from others when practising new things.

[evoboy]

Its only really needed for when your going some and using high revs.

Mainly on Twins to stop the back wheel locking up when changing down quickly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-A24JljUrE

^^ Can sorta see how i do (on my SlowAsFukASAKI ) it by listening to the engine revs and watching the tacho. But that is on track. It isnt really needed as such on the road.
____________________
Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[stonesie]

On the SV I had to blip or the thing would either launch me forwards in a painful nuts/tank meeting or slip the back wheel, this time of year it was mainly the latter which to an inexperianced rider is butt clenching stuff.

To practice how much to blip what I did was very simmilar to DonnyBrago..
Clutch in
down 1 gear
Blip
Clutch out, but not all the way. You want it to be slipping but not too much.
Practice on quiet roads first at low speeds and once you start getting it smooth try letting the clutch all the way out, when thats smooth start speeding the whole process up into a nice slick combination...

You will get it

Biggest problem I'm having at the moment is converting to an IL4, it revs up much faster, but ive already figured out that bliping on a downshift at about 6K makes it do a double backfire

[robbieguy2003]

I think it's worth doing just to be a bit smoother. It also lets you keep the bikes weight where you want it, jerky shifting moves it around. If you're riding in the wet or on greasy roads or end up on loose chippings this stuff will help make things a little better.

I find - Shifting up;

Do the steps at the same time

Step 1 - Clutch in, Lower throttle - not off, just lower it's use
Step 2 - Gear up
Step 3 - Clutch out
Step 4 - Throttle on

Shifting Down;

Step 1 - Clutch in, Blip Throttle, Change Down
Step 2 - Clutch out - At first, do this slowly rather than dropping the clutch, take it out to biting point, then back in again slightly, then back out again, it'll give the engine/wheel speed more time if the throttle blip wasn't so precise.

Over time it'll just smooth out but it takes time. On the RR i only really do this if braking from 60mph or above and coming onto a slow roundabout or something. Otherwise I just slowly bring the clutch in and out to get the revs and let the engine settle.

Racing I think is different but i think the principle of being smooth applies, you just have to get it right more, do it quicker and at higher speeds.
____________________
Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[goto10]

[johnsmith222]

[N cee thirty]

people on this forum think about riding a bike too much,just bloody ride it,you'll pick it up eventually
____________________
'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[johnsmith222]

[BIKEVIDDER]

Tootle along in third with a comfortable engine speed, note speed.
Thrash & change up, thrash a little more.
Shut off & coast down to lower gear comfy speed, get foot ready, get hand over clutch lever ready.
As you dip clutch open & close throttle as quick as you can raising revs by a couple of thou' & down shift gear..
It really is a case of ride & just pick things up as you go along though. Each time you do something wrong try something different.
It will come eventually.
I ride a twin & only blip a small amount during "town" riding, tight twisties need slightly more oomph
____________________
GROWING OLD DISGRACFULLY

[sim2kuk2011]

Just seen this question and i suggest none of give out any more advice. yes your blipping correct just need practice.

Break on
Clutch in
gear down
blip the throttle + clutch out while revs are up.

[Fifteen15]

I made this thread a year ago, I blip like a boss now. I still haven't perfected blipping while braking with front brake yet though, but mostly because I hardly ever touch the front brake.
____________________
"Pain is weakness leaving the body, and blood makes the grass grow faster...but I'll wear my gear anyway"

[J4mes]

[Alpha-9]

[johnsmith222]

[T0MMY]

[Acemastr]

I do it everytime, even with the back wheel lifting from the front braking.

Like a boss
____________________
2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited