Shifting!

OneWithBike · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Jun 2015 Karma :

Hi guys just a quick few questions;
I'd just like to add this is my first geared bike

I have a 2010 r125 and it's perfect, no issues once I'm going at all and I'm getting the knack of upshifting in time etc.

But here is where the problem is, I don't know what to do at traffic lights.

I tried downshifting to neutral which I'm finding difficult to do (if it does it at all) but when I stop at lights in first gear it just cuts out and (it's bloody embarrassing but I guess we all start somewhere) I have no idea why it's doing this, it's really frustrating.

Any help would be appreciated
Cheers Thumbs Up

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

Hold the clutch in when you roll to a stop or it'll stall every time.
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132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good Very Happy

johnnyarctic · Scooby Slapper Joined: 20 Dec 2011 Karma :

did you do your cbt on a geared bike?
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Current Ride: VFR750

OneWithBike · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Jun 2015 Karma :

No I did it on a ped unfortunately, so I literally have no experience. I stalled on a roundabout earlier Embarassed

johnnyarctic · Scooby Slapper Joined: 20 Dec 2011 Karma :

eep. do some proper training, massive benefit you and your going to do tests anyway right?

meanwhile find a quiet road near and go up and down practicing starts and stops. pull the clutch in when your stationary
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Current Ride: VFR750

NJD · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

You're coming to a stop in 1st gear, clutch level pulled all the way in, and the bike stalls?

I'd check the cable tension. There should be just a tiny bit of free play at the lever before the tension comes on the cable.
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arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Potentially as Roger says - especially since you mention it's seemingly difficult to get to neutral. Sounds like the clutch may be dragging slightly

OneWithBike · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Jun 2015 Karma :

Thanks so much guys, your solutions have been very helpful Thumbs Up

Wonko The Sane · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jan 2013 Karma :

chain tension on my 125 could make finding neutral a bit harder than usual

However it's good practice for test to be foot on brake, left foot on floor in 1st gear holding the clutch ready to set off.
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Pigeon · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Sep 2012 Karma :

Once the bike is warm, make sure the idle is set correctly too......Somewhere around 1400 rpm probably, but the manual will say.

Barnoe · Trackday Trickster Joined: 17 Aug 2014 Karma :

Try this tomorrow.

when your gearing down for a red light, gear down to 2nd pull in clutch and step down to 1st keeping clutch in... then brake to a stop.
Dont try and ride up to the line in 1st, its such a low gear on a 125 you will probably wobble and stall

You should be able to slow to almost a stop in 2nd, just drop to 1st about 10 feet before stopping.

All ive said above wont apply once you get plenty of miles experience and more confidence. You will do all the gear changing like a reflex and without much thought.

As for the stalling..... i hope its just you riding in 1st and braking at same time, because thats the easiest to fix Very Happy

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