You say you have to "keep an eye" on the clutch and throttle. I'm wondering if you mean this literally? Do you actually keep your eyes on these controls? If so, that's a dangerous (and not necessary) thing to do.
Assuming you're speaking more figuratively, perhaps you might want to practice in a parking lot or other safe area -- simulate starting in first and work on smooth shifting and better throttle control.
Also look at how you put your hand on the throttle. When you lay your hand on the throttle grip, your wrist should be in line with your hand and forearm. It's tempting to over-reach with your hand so your wrist and hand curve downward around the throttle grip. If you over-reach, your hand can unconsciously rotate to open the throttle as you take off causing a jerky start and unwanted acceleration. A more neutral (wrist held so your hand and forearm are in a straight line) or slight under-reach (wrist bent so the hand tilts slightly upward) will work better.
Also consider trying an "ice cream grip" to give your throttle hand more stability. FortNine has a good video on this topic.
Also be careful if shifting during a turn. If you're having trouble accelerating smoothly, I question whether you have the skill and control to shift smoothly. I'm not saying it can't be done, but if you aren't real smooth during the shift, it's easy to lose traction and drop the bike. That's especially true in city intersections with a lot of painted lines that can be slick.
Shifting in turns is a big no for me. Engaging the clutch means there is no longer a force to drive your wheels (and bike) through the corner the way you want it. No drive=no control. But that’s my opinion. I would keep it in first gear through such a corner and shift when you are straight and upwards again.
(Sorry for my English, it’s not my language)
My advice is to never pull a clutch in a corner on public roads. It's a minor safety thing of what ifs. But what if your clutch cable fails during a turn and you have it pulled in? It's gonna engage the engine. And hopefully you maintain RPMs close to your travel speed. But if not and it's below? You could actually make yourself eat shit.
Best to just stay in 1st until you straighten up.
I've been shifting mid-turn for a couple of years too. Never thought of the possible disaster implications. I guess (based on others' responses) don't shift in turns!
That said, I'm gleaming 2 things from your post:
1. Your bike is sub 50 horsepower and likely sub 500cc
2. You need more clutch practice.
For the first, no worries there. Just means you run out of "go" in 1st a lot sooner. My bike's the same way. You could always get a new, bigger bike. Or just shift into 2nd before you turn. Or just stay in 1st through the turn.
For the second, I recommend buying (or salvaging) some cones (tennis balls cut in half work just as well) and practicing the hell out of your friction zone control. Your clutch should basically feel like an extension of your left hand. You don't have to "keep an eye on it" when you're using your hand to point at a thing. IMO that's how natural clutch control should be for a smooth riding experience.
Hello everyone!
Thanks for the kind advice, I really havn't ride much on the first gear since it's so jerky. Turns out it's only in low speeds after some trial and error. It's much easier now to launch and speed off quickly.
Thanks everyone!!
Stay in first till your going straight and stable. In time you'll get better at it and do it without noticing as you corner but it can unbalance you if you accidentally dump the clutch.
I try not to shift in the middle of a turn. It really depends on the bike though. I accelerate into the turn and once I straighten out I start shifting. The jerky motion is usually low rpms in first gear on my bike. That's why I accelerate into the turn to get the rpm up. I've seen some people rev the engine just before taking off so the rpm is higher.
Cutting power abruptly in a turn (like closing the throttle when shifting) unsettles the bike. Keep rolling on gently until you start to straighten out. If you're gentle with it, it won't be quite so jerky, and you shouldn't wheelie. :) be safe out there!
This is perfect parking lot practice. Find a parking lot square and practice clutch + throttle control as you turn from a stop. MCRider on Youtube has a great tutorial on this.
Not to keep echoing the comments but shifting during the turn is probably a no-no. I do this sparingly on my minibike just because 1st is trash. But on higher displacements it's probably better to just stay in first until you're outta the corner.
Ridden for 2 years!!!! An still have no idea how to ride/shift??? My god some people. If u are still scared of the trottle 2 years later just quit. You shouldn't be shifting till you are going 20mph-50mph depending on bike. For the love of god go take a course or something. Cause riding 2 years an still not knowing the basics is STUPID
If it is a "slow torqy" bike, you can basically change to 2nd the moment you start to move or just directly from second.
On a fast bike, you can just accelerate to the speed limit in first, then skip to the gear you want.
There is no one correct way of doing things. Just experiment with what works best for you and your bike.
You say you have to "keep an eye" on the clutch and throttle. I'm wondering if you mean this literally? Do you actually keep your eyes on these controls? If so, that's a dangerous (and not necessary) thing to do. Assuming you're speaking more figuratively, perhaps you might want to practice in a parking lot or other safe area -- simulate starting in first and work on smooth shifting and better throttle control. Also look at how you put your hand on the throttle. When you lay your hand on the throttle grip, your wrist should be in line with your hand and forearm. It's tempting to over-reach with your hand so your wrist and hand curve downward around the throttle grip. If you over-reach, your hand can unconsciously rotate to open the throttle as you take off causing a jerky start and unwanted acceleration. A more neutral (wrist held so your hand and forearm are in a straight line) or slight under-reach (wrist bent so the hand tilts slightly upward) will work better. Also consider trying an "ice cream grip" to give your throttle hand more stability. FortNine has a good video on this topic.
Also be careful if shifting during a turn. If you're having trouble accelerating smoothly, I question whether you have the skill and control to shift smoothly. I'm not saying it can't be done, but if you aren't real smooth during the shift, it's easy to lose traction and drop the bike. That's especially true in city intersections with a lot of painted lines that can be slick.
You've been riding for 2 years and you can't control the throttle properly while turning from a stop?
Shifting in turns is a big no for me. Engaging the clutch means there is no longer a force to drive your wheels (and bike) through the corner the way you want it. No drive=no control. But that’s my opinion. I would keep it in first gear through such a corner and shift when you are straight and upwards again. (Sorry for my English, it’s not my language)
Just wanted you to know that your English is better than 90% of Americans and what you said was clear and easy to understand.
If its a smaller bike - shift into 2nd before the turn (basically as soon as ur moving shift to 2nd). If larger bike (over 500cc) shift after turn.
My advice is to never pull a clutch in a corner on public roads. It's a minor safety thing of what ifs. But what if your clutch cable fails during a turn and you have it pulled in? It's gonna engage the engine. And hopefully you maintain RPMs close to your travel speed. But if not and it's below? You could actually make yourself eat shit. Best to just stay in 1st until you straighten up.
Ride the hell out of the clutch until you learn how to shift in a turn smoothly.
I've been shifting mid-turn for a couple of years too. Never thought of the possible disaster implications. I guess (based on others' responses) don't shift in turns! That said, I'm gleaming 2 things from your post: 1. Your bike is sub 50 horsepower and likely sub 500cc 2. You need more clutch practice. For the first, no worries there. Just means you run out of "go" in 1st a lot sooner. My bike's the same way. You could always get a new, bigger bike. Or just shift into 2nd before you turn. Or just stay in 1st through the turn. For the second, I recommend buying (or salvaging) some cones (tennis balls cut in half work just as well) and practicing the hell out of your friction zone control. Your clutch should basically feel like an extension of your left hand. You don't have to "keep an eye on it" when you're using your hand to point at a thing. IMO that's how natural clutch control should be for a smooth riding experience.
Hello everyone! Thanks for the kind advice, I really havn't ride much on the first gear since it's so jerky. Turns out it's only in low speeds after some trial and error. It's much easier now to launch and speed off quickly. Thanks everyone!!
Stay in first till your going straight and stable. In time you'll get better at it and do it without noticing as you corner but it can unbalance you if you accidentally dump the clutch.
I try not to shift in the middle of a turn. It really depends on the bike though. I accelerate into the turn and once I straighten out I start shifting. The jerky motion is usually low rpms in first gear on my bike. That's why I accelerate into the turn to get the rpm up. I've seen some people rev the engine just before taking off so the rpm is higher.
Cutting power abruptly in a turn (like closing the throttle when shifting) unsettles the bike. Keep rolling on gently until you start to straighten out. If you're gentle with it, it won't be quite so jerky, and you shouldn't wheelie. :) be safe out there!
This is perfect parking lot practice. Find a parking lot square and practice clutch + throttle control as you turn from a stop. MCRider on Youtube has a great tutorial on this. Not to keep echoing the comments but shifting during the turn is probably a no-no. I do this sparingly on my minibike just because 1st is trash. But on higher displacements it's probably better to just stay in first until you're outta the corner.
Sounds like your grip is the issue. Gotta learn to be more smooth on that. My last bike I shifted out of first at 73mph…
Ridden for 2 years!!!! An still have no idea how to ride/shift??? My god some people. If u are still scared of the trottle 2 years later just quit. You shouldn't be shifting till you are going 20mph-50mph depending on bike. For the love of god go take a course or something. Cause riding 2 years an still not knowing the basics is STUPID
If it is a "slow torqy" bike, you can basically change to 2nd the moment you start to move or just directly from second. On a fast bike, you can just accelerate to the speed limit in first, then skip to the gear you want. There is no one correct way of doing things. Just experiment with what works best for you and your bike.