[Anonymous]

This may seem like an odd question, but I’m new to the sport. When I am coming into a stop sign and I’m in a high gear I tend to hold in the clutch and work the rear break all while downshifting. I don’t try to slam through the gears but I click them down one right after the other while keeping the clutch engaged. Is this bad for the bike? I’m not sure if I’m supposed to gradually work the gears down by shifting down a single gear, letting out the clutch to ride it, then shift down another ect.. I do tend to keep it in second and then either take off from a rolling stop (bad habit) or shift it down into first when at a complete stop, and only when the bike is completely stopped. I just don’t want to hurt my bike due to ignorance, its my first bike but its also brand new.

Thanks

Also, love this site, check it almost daily, its been a big help being able to discuss stuff with other new riders.

[megaspaz]

You’ll find differing opinions about slipping the clutch. Some say it wears your tranny faster and you should downshift each gear properly. Others say the wear caused by slipping the clutch is negligible. Me, I slip the clutch all the way down to first gear in case I have to stop and feather the clutch for a rolling stop if I don’t have to come to a complete stop. Less to think about. *shrugs*

Edit: A lot of the newer, higher cc sport bikes come with slipper clutches, although a lot of the race riders still downshift individual gears out of habit.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Rab]

See my post under topic “I think I may be lugging the engine….”

[megaspaz]

https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/forum/forum-topic/724/i-think-i-maybe-lugging-engine#comment-3450

3rd reply as the link doesn’t actually seem to go to the actual post…

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Josh]

Ok, thanks for the input. As long as its not doing any real damange I will probably continue to ride the same way. I think its just out of habit, I drive similarly in my car, I will hold the clutch in while I come to a stop and go right from a high gear down to first. Its not quite the same since you dont need to go through every gear in a car.

[Author]

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