Clutch Question

When you come to a complete stop, are you supposed to be in neutral before you come to a complete stop. I've never riden a bike like this before and when I came to a complete stop in first gear my bike died on my. I didnt have my hand on the clutch. Am I supposed to??

 

i keep mine in gear with the clutch in when approaching an intersection if i won't be stopped long. if it's a fresh red light, i'll be in neutral.
just like in a car, when you're not moving, or moving slower than the gear you're in, you're going to stall.
you should have your hand on the clutch, or be in neutral if you're not moving.

 

The only time I put my motorcycle in neutral is when I'm about to start it. I usually don't even put it in neutral when I get off, I shut it off instead.

My philosophy on red lights is that I should have both feet on the ground, motorcycle in gear ready to go when the light changes. I don't want to fall over shifting or worse yet get run over when the light changes.

My $0.02.

 

My biggest fear is cars coming up behind me who don't stop, so I always leave it in first gear, clutch in, ready to go/escape/evade. Always check your mirrors for cars coming up behind you, you never know.

I will put my bike in neutral if I'm going to be stopped for more than a minute or two and there are at least two cars stopped behind me (i.e. a train crossing).

 

+1 for Carl - The rider safety classes will tell you the same thing - you need to be ready to react. I am guilty of going into neutral on long lights if I have seen the car behind me and the one behind him stop.

Regardless I watch the ones behind me when I stop just in case - you should stop so you have an out in case they do not stop.

 

Well, when I let my clutch out completely in first gear, without giving her throttle, she dies on me. And then its almost impossible to shift her back into neutral to back up and start again. So first gear is definatly what I should be taking off on? Maybe its because I ahvent fined tuned her screws and what not.
OH btw. I just got back from my first ride in EIGHT YEARS! It was fantastic out here in pungo. Chilly, but my full face helm kept my head warm. it was like a 10 minute ride around the streets after I got the feel for her around my circle driveway.
It just seems I have to give her soo much throttle to take off in First. Is this normal Gurus?

 

SLKid, its a standard transmission, you should basically always pull away in first, and when easing out the clutch you have to give it throttle or it will die.

Letting out on the clutch lets the clutch plates come together, if your not moving or giving it gas it is, and should, die

 

Unless in Neutral. Heard. Its been Forever since I've been on a bike. Sorry i seem so blind to all this. I'm learning though!
What the appropriate speed or RPM to shift into second? Or third even?

 

Speed I don't know, But I usually shift around 4000 rpm for just normal in town driving

 

I do about the same... Under light throttle you can kinda just "feel" when the bike is ready for the next gear, i guess. I don't really know how to explain it anymore, been driving stickshift cars and riding bikes for too long since I learned.

 

Agreed with the 'feel' for the shift, it's really a matter of how much throttle you give it. 1/4 throttle you probably shift about 4k.

And amen to the being ready @ redlights. Got hit twice in my wifes car because some punks can't pay attention and smashed in her rear bumper. Got a clean $1300 for it though, and her bumper's still cracked -with some bills paid off

Def always check your mirrors. If you are in neutral you DON'T have time to react fast enough to some shmuck in a dropped civic. And if I were on the bike the days I got hit - I'd prob have no more Maxim, and a few bruises. On my knuckles. From beatin' the piss out the kid that hit me. lol

 

Ha ha Pawl, I totally agree. That 13 hundred would probably go to bail money after that. Ok. I understand what you guys mean by the "feel" of shifting. You can kinda hear it and feel it in the throttle. I didnt know if there was a specific for changing gears though. I jsut gotta get used to it I guess.
I just wanna say one thing though.
Ridin Maxine down these little country roads has gotta be the BEST felling I've ever had. Especially cause I fixed her back up and put her on these roads with my own hands and tons of help from you guys. There is no describable feeling like it.
But now i get to start with the fine tuning, now that she's back on the road
Thanks a million
-SLKid

 

Shift points: Around town, 4000rpm is about right; brisk acceleration getting up to highway speed, 7K is fine; "rocketing into the distance" after passing a car (or a Harley) WIND IT UP. Nine grand won't hurt it.

Not until you have new tires and brakes though, please.

 

i would agree on the leaving it in first with clutch in at the stop light. Hey take that rider safety course if you got the extra dough. It will even give you a reduction in your insurance costs plus you might learn some tricks for cornering and navigating traffic. just my .02 though

 

Yeah I plan on it. Its an hour drive from my house and I gotta take off three days of work to do it. The days where I get the most hours. Fri Sat Sun baby. Hardest days for a kitchen staff. But Yes. Very much would like to do it