Easier downshifts

[Chris]

When I was riding performance motorcycles I learned how to make downshifts easier.
Suspose you are cruising in 4th at normal throttle. Just pull in the clutch and you will hear the rpm go up. Drop it into 3rd and let the clutch out. That is it. No revving up and down of the throttle. Just leave the throttle where it is, pull in the clutch, and go into 3rd gear. Easy on you and the bike.

Chris in Atlanta

[Easy Rider]

Easy on you and the bike.



With all due respect, Chris, most of our riders here are rookies....or close to it.....and that is probably not a good suggestion to make to a rookie....ESPECIALLY for the shift from 2 to 1.

And except for the transition to 1st, most people don't have trouble with downshifts anyway.

Done wrong, that technique is not easy on the rider OR the engine! :cry:

So........welcome to the forum! :biggrin:
What vintage of GZ do you have and how did you come to have one.......with your sportbike background and all?

[Sarris]

:plus1: to Easy Riders comments!

:2tup:

[Chris]

I'm a retired guy in Atlanta. 6ft, 200 pounds. I had bikes long ago, but did not think it was worth the risk for a family man. I hope some family man will think this over.
Now that my kids are grown I just bought a used GZ250. Eight years old, 350 miles, garaged, mint condition.
I'm riding backroads mostly, state highways, try to avoid interstate highways. Good to be back on a bike, but the asphalt looks harder than it did 30 years ago.

Chris

[Easy Rider]

but the asphalt looks harder than it did 30 years ago.
Chris

Sorry to be the one to break the bad news but.......EVERYTHING is harder than it was 30 years ago.........well......with ONE notable exception !!! :cry: :crackup

That makes 3 GZ riders in the Atlanta area. I visit there often to see my daughter. Met one last trip; maybe can catch another or two at the end of October at Nascar time.

[Jer]

I'l;l be in Atlanta in 2 weeks.

The ProgPowerUSA Festival!!!!

[patrick_777]

EVERYTHING is harder than it was 30 years ago.........

Including, very likely, your tires. If there's only 350 miles on an 8 year old bike, then it's been sitting for a while and tires dry out and can become dangerously brittle in less time than that.

...just saying, it might be something to check out before you do any serious riding.

We don't want this: --- > :crutches:

[Sarris]

:plus1: to Patricks comments!!

[Easy Rider]

Including, very likely, your tires.

Thank you. I intended to say that but got so smug with my "funny" that I forgot !! :cry:

[RichInFla]

With all due respect, Chris, most of our riders here are rookies....or close to it.....and that is probably not a good suggestion to make to a rookie....ESPECIALLY for the shift from 2 to 1.


And this newbie is the first one to say you are right, as far as the downshift from 2nd to 1st !! See my post in "troubleshooting", "downshifting problems" !!

Got great advice though, thank you forum !!