Willow
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Posts: 16590
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« on: July 12, 2024, 03:18:43 PM » |
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It is not unusual for me to double shift, second to fourth or third to fifth.
Today I pulled up at the front to a stop light. When the light turned green and I started off I realized I hadn't down shifted to the stop. In third gear I feathered the clutch a bit and rolled into the intersection without downshifting. I still pulled out ahead of the cage next to me. To add to the complexity the right lane I was in ended turning into a turn lane only a couple hundred yards down the road. I was easily far enough ahead to merge left before I had to.
It is a good bike to ride.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2024, 03:32:20 PM » |
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Yes, it’s a very forgiving machine. However, it’s a safety thing to ALWAYS be in the proper gear for the speed and conditions. At a stop in traffic that gear is first gear. Just because you got away with it doesn’t mean it was an ideal situation.
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Serk
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« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2024, 04:10:08 PM » |
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I can't google it up now, but I seem to recall either an advertisement from Honda or a review saying something along the lines of "So much torque, downshifting is just an amusing option" or something like that...
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2024, 04:49:50 PM » |
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My technique is to slow roll up to all stops. I fish for neutral and the green light and then roll in to a stop.
Fishing for neutral on the kick shifter (heel toe), is a breeze (doing it with the little toe shifter only is a PITA).
So during the stop, I don't have to hold the clutch. When it's time to go, I kick down to first and leave.
The exception to this would be on a hill/incline where the cage in front of me could roll back on me; so on those occasions, I remain in gear, clutch covered, in case I have to move fast.
I too will occasionally double shift, when I'm just taking it easy.
I've taken to wearing ear plugs for hearing conservation (half helmets only). My bike is stock exhaust except for 18" truck stacks (little noisier than stock tips). But the plugs are for wind noise and roar, not my own exhaust. However, the ear plugs occasionally interfere with proper shifting as I don't look at the tach, I listen to the engine, and the plugs sometimes cause me to run at higher revs than I usually would. The bike doesn't care though.
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ridingron
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« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2024, 07:05:37 PM » |
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I've been double shifting for years. It just makes for easier riding. I've been riding my other bike (ST1100) since '99. Usually it is first, third and fourth or fifth depending on the road and speed limits. I don't have a problem winding the motor up. It runs 55mph for 1st red line and 85mph, for 2nd redline and 105mph for 3rd redline. I don't know about 4th and fifth gears.  |
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Avanti
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« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2024, 08:39:25 AM » |
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It still amazes me when we go to the curves. I hear about all the, I have Stage 1, I need Stage 2, I am looking at Stage 3……
Follow me, l have 2nd gear and if I get tired of it, I will check out 3rd; please don’t get hurt.
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16590
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2024, 08:49:45 AM » |
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Yes, it’s a very forgiving machine. However, it’s a safety thing to ALWAYS be in the proper gear for the speed and conditions. At a stop in traffic that gear is first gear. Just because you got away with it doesn’t mean it was an ideal situation.
I guess to be completely open I need to say that I normally downshift to first for a stop. A safety thing to ALWAYS be in the proper gear? That is a stupid statement at best. Knowing how to ride in whatever circumstance is a safety concern. I shared this experience, as I regularly do, for the purpose of simply sharing, not to request advice. As to stopping in neutral, I don't think that is a good idea. |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2024, 10:13:41 AM » |
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That is a stupid statement at best. Stupid statement? Ok, I suppose that is an opinion. I submit leaving the transmission in third gear while stopped, waiting for a light is either a stupid mistake or a stupid idea. I do however agree with you that waiting in traffic with the transmission in neutral is not wise. |
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16590
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2024, 02:16:29 PM » |
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That is a stupid statement at best. Stupid statement? Ok, I suppose that is an opinion. I submit leaving the transmission in third gear while stopped, waiting for a light is either a stupid mistake or a stupid idea. I do however agree with you that waiting in traffic with the transmission in neutral is not wise. For what it's worth my focus was on the upper casing of ALWAYS and the phrase that I "got away with it". Of course, as stated, I didn't realize I hadn't downshifted until I started off at the green light. The Valkyrie and my riding awareness allowed me to continue through the start without interruption. Yes, it's my opinion based upon a lot of riding experience. You may recall running up the road to the top of Cheaha mountain.  |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2024, 02:36:25 PM » |
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I remember that Cheaha trip but I’m not sure to what you are referring. I was only making the point that it’s safer to be in the appropriate gear for conditions and not portray the notion that because someone with your superior skill can start off in third gear without stalling, that this is normal. A less experienced rider may get themselves in a bad situation.
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« Last Edit: July 13, 2024, 02:54:12 PM by Chrisj CMA »
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cookiedough
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« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2024, 07:38:43 PM » |
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I never have tried being in 3rd gear from a dead stop and then going, not sure how common it is to stall the Valk doing this? 2nd gear have done it several times no issues.
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Avanti
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« Reply #11 on: July 15, 2024, 03:42:21 AM » |
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I am a all gear all the time rider.
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cookiedough
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« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2024, 05:14:26 AM » |
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I am a all gear all the time rider.
is a smart thing to keep it in 1st gear all the time when stopped, but I have been known to if know going to be a LONG stop light, to put in neutral, lift my modular helmet up, and take a drink of water, but usually right after drinking, shift back into 1st gear. |
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HayHauler
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« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2024, 06:03:57 AM » |
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I am a all gear all the time rider.
is a smart thing to keep it in 1st gear all the time when stopped, but I have been known to if know going to be a LONG stop light, to put in neutral, lift my modular helmet up, and take a drink of water, but usually right after drinking, shift back into 1st gear. Same. But, only after 3-4 cars/trucks have stacked up behind me at the light. Coming up to a light, I focus on my rearview mirrors. Hay  Jimmyt |
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