It's my first day dude, idk I'm nervous. If I accidentally goose it, the bike will just rev and not throw me off the back. When I'm down shifting, do I release the clutch in each gear? Or can I for example go from 5th to 2nd clicking down 3 times without releasing the clutch ?
I'm not trying to bust your balls, in fact I don't want to see or read about you getting hurt. You can release the clutch in each gear or you can go down 3 times but make sure you are braking at the same time (unless you are downshifting for the purpose of mad acceleration but forget that for now). Your bike has a slipper clutch so it will be more forgiving if you downshift at too high RPMs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sev
Take a rider training course fer Christ sakes. You can't learn to ride on a forum. And you're going to develop a million bad habits.
Please take this advice from Sev. In fact, park the bike until you can get signed up for the course and as stated before, use one of their bikes so you don't wreck yours.
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Sent from my transistor AM radio using my IDGAF app.
I have to agree with the other guys here man. It really is in your best interest to take the MSF class before riding that. I own one and they put out as much HP as some older Honda cars.
It WILL fuck you up with one small mistake.
We're not trying to be dickheads (those guys haven't commented yet, you'll know them when they get here). We just don't want to lose a fellow rider.
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2005 White ZX6R | Yoshimura RS-5 exhaust | Power Commander III | 6k HID Headlights | Vortex Rearsets | Vortex Clip-ons
Location: Chesapeake, VA '06 ZZR fighter, 05 VTX-1300
Posts: 14,553
A rider's course is definitely worth the time and money to attend. You can ask any and all questions you have, and it's way easier to explain and understand face to face than via an Internet forum.
As far as your downshifting question goes, I only click down several gears at a time if a light changes from green and I need to slow down faster to stop or if someone ahead of me stops suddenly, other wise it's one gear at a time. As already stated your bike has a slipper clutch so you have significantly less engine braking if you downshift and dump the clutch. It's very nice to have.
+1 Take the MSF course before you ride that bike any more! You will be glad you did.
__________________ 2009 ZX-6R (32,000 miles and counting)
Akrapovic Slip-on | MJS Performance Link Pipe | K&N Air Filter
Purolator Oil Filter | Hotbodies FE | Custom Blue LED Lighting
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Thanks for the responses guys, I appreciate all of your input. To make matters worse, my brakes are extremely low, 3-4mm and my tires aren't in the best condition. I really don't have time for the msf course at the moment so I may just cruise around the neighborhood til I get comfortable.
Possibly the worst start to a riding career one could make.
I just took it out for about 30 minutes. Every ride I feel more confident, but turning and traffic freak me out. Shifting is getting smoother, I'm releasing the clutch in each gear when downshifting, feels a whole lot better now and its easier for me find neutral. I can't believe how fast 40mph feels on 2 wheels. It's amazing people don't fly off at WOT.
I just took it out for about 30 minutes. Every ride I feel more confident, but turning and traffic freak me out. Shifting is getting smoother, I'm releasing the clutch in each gear when downshifting, feels a whole lot better now and its easier for me find neutral. I can't believe how fast 40mph feels on 2 wheels. It's amazing people don't fly off at WOT.
MSF is probably the best way to learn how to ride a motorcycle. But if that's not available to you then just keep practicing, keep it nice and slow and you'll be fine, but I suggest an empty parking lot instead of streets.
If you have someone you know who rides a motorcycle ask them for some tips on how to ride. Also there are a lot of great books on the subject and as always you can do some research online.
__________________ from BEAUTIFUL AUSTIN TEXAS 2006 Lime Green ZX6R
And that's an EXPERIENCED rider and he is not expected to survive. People love jumping on motorcycles and "learning" to ride as they go. It's not a good combination.
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