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Downshifting Properly
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Posted: 07/23/11 12:16 PM
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I have read a lot about slipper clutches and blipping the throttle while downshifting and I just wanted to clarify a couple of things. First of all, I ride an 02 Suzuki Katana 600 which I am pretty sure is not equipt with a slipper clutch. Anyways, I was just wondering if downshifting a bike without a slipper cluth without blipping the throttle is bad for the bike somehow. It just seems ackward to me to consider blipping the throttle while downshifting in preperation for coming to a stop. Also, it seems from my limited experience of observing others ride, that they always downshift before coming to a stop and I don't observe any throttle blipping. I just got the Katana early this summer as my first bike. I have almost logged 3,000 miles and I ride everyday. Now that I have become comftorable shifting and riding the bike, I have started to practice downshifting while coming to a stop instead of just pulling the clutch in and braking all the way down. I know many of you experienced riders will likely laugh at my question and thats ok, I just want to make sure I develop the right habits and don't do anything to damage my bike.
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kento1
Administrator
| Posts: 915
| Joined: 09/07
Posted: 07/23/11 12:31 PM
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Your Suzuki Katana is not equipped with a slipper clutch. And no, not blipping the throttle while downshifting isn't bad for the bike for the most part.
Blipping the throttle while downshifting is mostly meant for entering corners while braking aggressively, not when coming to stop. It's meant to aid bike control, because the faster you go and the more aggressively you brake and downshift, the more you need to match engine speed to wheel speed, otherwise when you release the clutch lever, the mismatch in engine/wheel speed causes the rear tire to chatter and upset the bike's handling.
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Posted: 07/23/11 12:58 PM
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Thanks Kento. I understand and appreciate the info.
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Posted: 08/10/11 11:45 AM
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Kento good explanation of why and when to blip the throttle when downshifting. As a long time user of this technique it seems less necessary with a slipper clutch bike. But as I've blipped the throttle for so long I'm less apt not to use when riding aggressively even with a slipper equipped bike.
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