Questions about shifting?
#41
05-08-2013 | 05:28 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: New York
I'm a new guy too so I know where you are coming from. Something that helps me is to listen to the engine. When it sounds like its pumping to hard, its past shifting time.. so shift! At red lights I leave it in 1st and as soon as I see the car in font of me start moving I'll give it some gas, release the clutch, bike starts to move, then its more gas, and clutch is done until its time to hit 2nd. It's all about timing and feeling that engine. You'll get-er! Good luck!
#42
05-08-2013 | 05:57 PM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,094
Likes: 51
From: Pt. Jeff Sta. L.I., N.Y.
Come on, need speed more gas. What course did you take if you are having this problem? This is cycling 101. Some questions can be answered by common sense, and in this case practice. Take the MSF course so you don't kill yourself.
#44
05-08-2013 | 10:48 PM
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 617
Likes: 20
From: Western Illinois
A slow take off is better than a fast take off especially if you ride in NY. I’ve been hearing the city has been adding curbs and changing the direction of streets in some locations without the riders knowing about it.
#45
05-09-2013 | 12:54 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 2
From: Ontario East
I too raced dirt bikes since age of 8 for about 12 years. What zeus33 says is true, but I still think it's bad advice for a beginner on a Harley. Learning to ride a Harley(street-bike) is altogether different than learning to ride a dirt-bike. The principle is the same, but the logistics are quite different. I do believe learning to ride a dirt bike is a great advantage to riding a street bike, though.
#47
05-09-2013 | 05:41 AM
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 15
From: Southeastern Wisconsin
0ne of the posters here said to use the friction zone (actually many have). While I agree totally for slow speed manuvering and of course initial starts, the shift from 2-3 and so on is more like the clutch lever IS a switch. You don't need to worry about friction zone after you get moving the first few feet. It seems obvious to me the OP knows how to work the friction zone or he wouldn't get moving at all!
#48
05-09-2013 | 07:26 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,820
Likes: 5,693
From: Florida
You can do it the conventional way and putt putt away from the light. But if you really want a fast start here's the technique...
- Roll up to the intersection and slip the gear box into neutral.
- Turn your head 90 degrees and watch the light from the cross lane.
- When the cross lane light turns yellow pull in the clutch and click it UP into second.
- Holding the clutch in roll the throttle on all the way until the rpm hits the engine rev limiter. Keep the gas on.
- Watch your light, when it turns green you accelerate by releasing the clutch. Careful not to let it go too quick.
I won many many races on the dirt track, ice track and motocross track using that proceedure. Don't see why it wouldn't work with the hog. Personally never tried it, but I'm sure it would be impressive.
- Roll up to the intersection and slip the gear box into neutral.
- Turn your head 90 degrees and watch the light from the cross lane.
- When the cross lane light turns yellow pull in the clutch and click it UP into second.
- Holding the clutch in roll the throttle on all the way until the rpm hits the engine rev limiter. Keep the gas on.
- Watch your light, when it turns green you accelerate by releasing the clutch. Careful not to let it go too quick.
I won many many races on the dirt track, ice track and motocross track using that proceedure. Don't see why it wouldn't work with the hog. Personally never tried it, but I'm sure it would be impressive.
#49
05-09-2013 | 07:41 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,839
Likes: 16,549
From: Wisconsin, USA
Wow. Some bad advice on here. Some guys are yanking your chain, some overestimating your ability.I would give some, but I have been driving a car with a stick so long, I don't really think about it. Rev limit without mods is 5600 rpm, 6200rpm with stage one.
When I started riding my Harley I learned to take it easy on the throttle, on takeoff. On my Saturn I could wind it out, no problems. If you go WOT on Harley you will break wheels lose and fishtail.
Just keep riding. You'll get it.
When I started riding my Harley I learned to take it easy on the throttle, on takeoff. On my Saturn I could wind it out, no problems. If you go WOT on Harley you will break wheels lose and fishtail.
Just keep riding. You'll get it.
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