How do you change gear?

Hello, first post in here... I have a car with a ZX9 engine in it.
Now, when changing gears what do you guys advise? I am talking about on the road here, so not flat out changes, just driving normally.

The options I have at the moment when changing up..

1) Normal gear change so throttle off, clutch open, change gear, close clutch, throttle on.

2) Fast change, throttle off, hard push to change gear, throttle on.

Coming back down the box I understand that I have to use the clutch all the time to unload the box first which is fine, its the upchanges I would like to hear about.

Originally Posted by billythekid

Hello, first post in here... I have a car with a ZX9 engine in it.
Now, when changing gears what do you guys advise? I am talking about on the road here, so not flat out changes, just driving normally.

The options I have at the moment when changing up..

1) Normal gear change so throttle off, clutch open, change gear, close clutch, throttle on.

2) Fast change, throttle off, hard push to change gear, throttle on.

Coming back down the box I understand that I have to use the clutch all the time to unload the box first which is fine, its the upchanges I would like to hear about.

option 1 for me most of the time although if im in a hurry i do do clutchless changes, but it does hammer the box to be honest .

As above.

Clutchless changes are sore on a gearbox. Unless you invest in a quickshift kit. Then all you do is, Keep it pinned, bang the next gear while still pinned and just use the clutch for downshifts. It works by cutting the ignition for a split second when it senses pressure on the gear lever.

What is this beastie with a ZX9 engine? Show us your pics!

I have an R6 and a bad left wrist so after long rides clutch less shifts are common but never on the down shift
I find clutch less shifts very easy and light if the revs are right for the particular gear and you back off just at the right time.
Most bike boxes are straight cut and very strong I don’t know many people that have box issues with a bike But I guess yours will be under much more load with the extra grip so as said a quick shift would be a nice addition flat out gear changes

Hewland advise that using the clutch will increase gear wear (dont forget this gearbox is in a 400 odd kg car not a 100odd kg bike) as I cant change gear fast enough to keep the dogs from damage.

They advise that I put some small pressure on the gear lever near the shift point, then when I am ready to change I lift the throttle (as I do this it will grab the next gear) and then re-apply the throttle. This should be done as quickly as I can move my right foot apparently!

I am going to give it a go but I think its going to be tricky to get used too, just a matter of time I guess

Originally Posted by billythekid

They advise that I put some small pressure on the gear lever near the shift point, then when I am ready to change I lift the throttle (as I do this it will grab the next gear) and then re-apply the throttle. This should be done as quickly as I can move my right foot apparently!

Unless riding in town or fairly slow I never use the clutch to change up the box... and in 18 odd years of riding I've never had any gearbox problems at all.

As you say, small pressure on the gear lever then back the throttle off a touch... it doesn't need to be fully off just a slight lift is enough to engage the next gear.

As with what steve said above, but I would add when changing from 1st to 2nd I use the clutch

1 above for me at all times.
I believe the fashionable way is 2.

Originally Posted by Alg

1 above for me at all times.
I believe the fashionable way is 2.

Same as me..

I used to have a rwd mini with an R1 engine in it The best thing I did was buy a trickshifter for it!

Clever little item that cuts the throttle on the upshift so that you don't have to worry about the clutch at all.
Also features a very clever little vacuum operated plunger that replaces the idle adjuster screw so that when you down shift it blips the throttle for you! Downshifting was never smoother! I simply couldn't believe the difference it made.

I ended up only using the clutch when pulling away and when stopping.

So I guess that would be my advice

Ade

As far as i am aware, there is no gadget, or equipment that eliminates clutchless downhshifts without causuing some kind of damage to to the box/clutch. Quickshifters retard the ignition on upshifts for perfectly engine safe changes going up, but there is no engine safe downshift equipment in existance. Even otoGP has to clutch down... Unless they want to rape their bike!

I only use the clutch going from 1st to 2nd and when pulling away and stopping. Get good at it and clutchless changes are smoother (and less mechanically wearing) than clutched ones. I also change down by blipping the throttle and slipping it in when I'm doing anything other than very slow riding, and in just over a million miles (yes, really) I have yet to kill a gearbox. Though there's time, of course...

SB

PS The ZX9 donor bike would have weighed in at 200kg so you're only looking at double for the car.

PPS Where are the pics?

Well if the feel and sound are anything to go buy the Trickshift downshifts were smoother than any of my biker freinds could believe! I can only imagine if it feels smoother and sounds less stressful that it would be causing less wear/damage?

Anyway that's what i thought, but i am no expert D

TrickSHIFTER - Fast gear shift system for motorbikes and cars

Ade

Commonly clutchless up for me, but I weigh 100kgs and the bike a further 165: cars weigh an awful lot more so Id use the clutch in both directions...

Although yes a car will weigh quite a lot more than a bike (obviously) they are also geared down quite a lot which will reduce the effective load on the clutch/gearbox (i think). Most will only manage 130 on the limiter in 6th gear to give you an idea of how much they are geared down.

I know quite a few friends with bike engined cars and none of them have had any problems with clutch or gearbox (touch wood). Most do clutchless upshifts and use the clutch on the downshifts.

Ade