Ok newbie question:  :dunno: I can't seem to master downshifting.  My bike jerks and sometimes the back wheel chirps....is this how downshifting is supposed to be?  I'm not even really travelling fast  :-k newbie question:  :dunno: I can't seem to master downshifting.  My bike jerks and sometimes the back wheel chirps....is this how downshifting is supposed to be?  I'm not even really travelling fast  :-[

Since I&#039;ve ridden your bike, I know that the clutch engages right at the end of the lever travel.&nbsp; It can be difficult for anyone to master gingerly letting that lever out slow enough to prevent what you were speaking of.<br /><br />Maybe one of these days I&#039;ll take a look at your ride and see if there is any adjustment available on your clutch to make it a little more &quot;rider friendly&quot;.&nbsp; O0

Nope - if the bike is chirping - its because you are letting the clutch off too fast as you downshift from the higher end of the tach range. If the bike is in a higher gear and cruising at optimal rpms, and you shift down without slowing the bike first - just clutch in - downshift - pop clutch back out - no brakes and no time for the bike to start to slow, here is what happens. <br /><br />Poping the clutch suddenly as you downshift doesn&#039;t give time for the rear wheel to slow its spin rate. The rear wheel is still moving at the same rpm, and now you&#039;ve locked it to the engine (the sudden pop of the clutch) with a different gear ratio. The engine tries to compensate for this by spinning faster, but compression slows it and it just can&#039;t keep up with the sudden change. Something has to give and its the traction on the rear tire that breaks loose - your chirping noise. This is more pronounced on worn tires or tires with hard compounds. High end sport bikes have something called a slipper clutch to prevent this from happening on the racetrack as they agressively downshift for corners. The clutch &#039;slips&#039; instead of the traction on the rear tire. <br /><br />Try slowing your clutch release a tad and I bet you notice that this helps. Also, if you are really new to bikes, might I suggest the MSF course held in Regina. I booked my wife and her friend into this a few years ago - they had zero bike experience and in their first year they rode to Sturgis - 900km. Its hosted by the Saskatchewan Safety Council. <br />

awesome post jamesgoodchild and I agree with everything you said&nbsp; O0<br /><br />Funny you should mention the safety course because I know that she has indeed taken it and got alot out of it.&nbsp; I hear it&#039;s a pretty dang good course and teaches ya alot of stuff that&#039;s good for a n00b or anyone to know.

:hijacked: I noticed you mentioned Sturgis, post up any pics in the Pics, Vids... Board if you have any...those types of pics are always interesting to see. I&#039;d also be interested in any good stories you have about goin down there. I&#039;ve never been, but then I don&#039;t have a harley so...

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<br />.. If the bike is in a higher gear and cruising at optimal rpms, and you shift down without slowing the bike first - just clutch in - downshift - pop clutch back out - no brakes and no time for the bike to start to slow, here is what happens.&nbsp;

<br /><br />Yup....this is a pretty good description of what I&#039;ve been doing.&nbsp; Re: the MSF course.&nbsp; Never rode a bike in my life!&nbsp; The course was FANTASTIC!!&nbsp; A friend and co-worker is actually signed up for it this weekend.&nbsp; I never rode a bike prior to the course and learned a whole ton!&nbsp; A definite recommend!<br /><br />Tried letting the clutch out slower and you guys are right, it made a difference.<br /><br /> :bb_smilie:

Glad to hear that helped you Jackie.&nbsp; I&#039;m a firm believer in constant learning - myself included.&nbsp; Asking questions and taking courses is a great way to learn.&nbsp; Once you understand the basics, then its time to get out there and ride.&nbsp; After a while, all those little things you picked up in the course become second nature and you don&#039;t even consciously realize you are doing them.&nbsp; Thats when riding really becomes fun because now you can focus on the scenery, the sights and smells.&nbsp; <br /><br />Have fun out there and don&#039;t hestitate to ask questions or shout if you need a hand.

Hi all<br />This is a great site and I love all the ???&#039;s as I am a new mature female rider as of 1 month ago. (No jokes here boys) I took the Safety Course the end of May and loved it. It was worth every dollar. Highly recommend it. Riding in the rain is great as I found out, got a chance to do that the night I got my big girls license(it rained for 4 hours we were out there). Hope to meet some of you out there sometime, maybe go for a coffee or a ride. I went for my 1st group ride last Tuesday it was awesome. Does anyone know where and when there are other group rides.

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<br />Hi all<br />This is a great site and I love all the ???&#039;s as I am a new mature female rider as of 1 month ago. (No jokes here boys) I took the Safety Course the end of May and loved it. It was worth every dollar. Highly recommend it. Riding in the rain is great as I found out, got a chance to do that the night I got my big girls license(it rained for 4 hours we were out there). Hope to meet some of you out there sometime, maybe go for a coffee or a ride. I went for my 1st group ride last Tuesday it was awesome. Does anyone know where and when there are other group rides.<br />

<br /><br />Welcome to the site 5oclockshadow :welcome:<br /><br />All levels of riders are welcome here... O0<br /><br />Besides, even the most experienced rider keeps on learning if they&#039;re smart...the one&#039;s that think they have it all cased are the one&#039;s that end up paying for it down the road.<br /><br />I was a bit weary when I first heard of the safety course, I thought it was a fair bit of kash and I didn&#039;t think it would be of any real value. I haven&#039;t taken it myself but I&#039;ve heard great reviews from everyone that has gone through it. So, it&#039;s nice to see that something that SGI along with the safety councel actually have come up with something that is doing some people some good!!<br /><br />As far as group rides, I would think that as our membership grows here, there will be a few group rides on the horizon...so stay tuned and feel free to make a new topic in the &quot;Local Rides&quot; section in the meantime and see if anyone wants to join up with ya for a ride...

QUOTE:
<br />Hi all<br />This is a great site and I love all the ???&#039;s as I am a new mature female rider as of 1 month ago. (No jokes here boys) I took the Safety Course the end of May and loved it. It was worth every dollar. Highly recommend it. Riding in the rain is great as I found out, got a chance to do that the night I got my big girls license(it rained for 4 hours we were out there). Hope to meet some of you out there sometime, maybe go for a coffee or a ride. I went for my 1st group ride last Tuesday it was awesome. Does anyone know where and when there are other group rides.<br />

]<br /><br /><br />There are a few regular group rides in the city.&nbsp; The Harley group meets Sunday at Tim Hortons on 4th and Albert.&nbsp; There is another open group that meets Wedesday nights and I think Sunday.&nbsp; They rotate the location from the Southland parking lot, Costco parking lot and Northgate parking lot.&nbsp; I think they meet at 7:00.&nbsp; Another group meets at Burger Baron on Thursday nights.&nbsp; Over and above that, there are lots of casual groups in the city.&nbsp; I regularly ride with a core group of about 8 people.&nbsp; We typically head out on Saturdays to places like Fort Qu&#039;Appelle, Southey, Chamberlain, Moose Jaw, etc...<br />