Gear Shifting Technique?

[SmithSwede]

Ok, quick poll here.   I was talking with a knowledgeable person, and he claimed that the correct and safest way to up-shift a sequential motorcycle transmission is to:

1) Actuate the clutch and manipulate the throttle appropriately
2) move the gear selector upwards, and then **hold it in place upwards**
3) release clutch, apply throttle, wait until the gear is under load, and only then permit your foot to relax and the gear selector to drop downwards. 

The theory is with the gear selector held upwards, the dogs get fully engaged.  There is much less risk of a partial shift, which might under full engine power drop the gear out of engagement.  Which seems to make sense to me.

I think most people just shift upwards and relax their foot immediately, while letting out the clutch.  The gear typically gets put under power without the gear selector affirmatively holding the selected gear in place before the load is applied. 

How many people use the “hold in place” gear shift method?

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I fall under "most people" here. If the gearbox isn't popping out of gear I don't see reason to hold the gearshift in place.

[Huzo]

Would you believe me if I told you that I don’t actually know what I do SS ?
All I am sure of on my Norge on upshifts, is that I slide my toe across the lever and fan the clutch slightly, then my Norge just gulps in the next gear.
On down shifts I just apply a light pressure and “crack” the clutch. I apply just enough revs to make a lovely Staintuney sound.
All very unscientific I’ll admit, but it keeps us both happy.
My Norge shifts like a Suzuki Bandit…

[balvenie]

Upshifting
1) Apply upwards pressure to the lever
2) Simultaneously, whip in the clutch lever all the way and shut off the throttle. The pressure from your foot will upshift the lever.
3) Release the lever while revving the engine such that there is no appreciable jerk, from the motorcycle.

[twowheeladdict]

It happens so fast I can't tell you if my foot is still applying pressure as I am letting out the clutch, but in principal I agree with your friend. 

[s1120]

Would you believe me if I told you that I don’t actually know what I do SS ?
All I am sure of on my Norge on upshifts, is that I slide my toe across the lever and fan the clutch slightly, then my Norge just gulps in the next gear.
On down shifts I just apply a light pressure and “crack” the clutch. I apply just enough revs to make a lovely Staintuney sound.
All very unscientific I’ll admit, but it keeps us both happy.
My Norge shifts like a Suzuki Bandit…

Ya same... I have no idea. The body and mind have been doing it for so long it just does it. Im sure its all adapting to different bikes, and transmissions, because I might get a missed shift or two on a new bike, then not.. 

[Scout63]

Every bike is a little different and I kind of just adjust. I don’t hold the lever up unless I’ve just hit a false neutral.  On the Vitpilen I just fan the clutch and tap the lever going up. Big flywheel bikes matching engine speed going down is critical and musical. I just love shifting.

[Bulldog9]

Upshifting
1) Apply upwards pressure to the lever
2) Simultaneously, whip in the clutch lever all the way and shut off the throttle. The pressure from your foot will upshift the lever.
3) Release the lever while revving the engine such that there is no appreciable jerk, from the motorcycle.

This is pretty much my technique, at least for gears 1-3. I generally go clutchless from 3-4-5-6-5-4-3., but lever movements are quick and light.

The only time I 'hold' the lever up is if the transmission has an issue staying in gear.

My 79XS1100 had the notorious 2nd gear slip issue where the dogs would round off and the bike could and would pop out of second gear on hard acceleration. Many would disassemble the transmission and grind a reverse angle onto the dogs to help keep it in gear, but I found it gave the beast character, and left it alone over 120K + miles.

I still occasionally find myself unconsciously holding the lever up in 2nd gear regardless of the bike. Muscle memory is a funny thing.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

On old Loopframe Guzzis, I always hold the shift lever in position until I release the clutch. The 4 spd especially needs this, or there's a good chance you'll find a "false neutral". No worries with the Convert... 

[Chuck in Indiana]

On old Loopframe Guzzis, I always hold the shift lever in position until I release the clutch. The 4 spd especially needs this, or there's a good chance you'll find a "false neutral". No worries with the Convert... 

Yeah, I found that to be true with the V700.

[Perazzimx14]

Quick shifter is growing on me. No rolling off the throttle to upshift, simply hold the throttle open and snick up thought the gears. To down shift make sure the throttle is closed and poosh down on the shifter bike automatically blips the throttle and gear is reduces.

The other nice thing is it sorta acts like a slipper so it's easier on you tars during heavy/rapid downshifting.

The Eldo was a dedicated shifting process that when done right you were rewarded with smooth shifts even if they took about 5 second from initiation until engagement. The T's were more forgiving and everything more modern (post 1980) has been even more forgiving. Pull-snick-release.

[chuck peterson]

[Zenermaniac]

I have no idea. I just shift by feel subconsciously.

[Perazzimx14]

I have no idea. I just shift by feel subconsciously.

Guessing you never rode a 70's era Loop????

[LowRyter]

What is this "clutch" thing that you ask about?   

[Huzo]

What is this "clutch" thing that you ask about?   

The clutch is the motion you make with your hand as you reach for your wallet, if you persist in not using the hand lever on your left handlebar…

[twowheeladdict]

Quick shifter is growing on me. No rolling off the throttle to upshift, simply hold the throttle open and snick up thought the gears. To down shift make sure the throttle is closed and poosh down on the shifter bike automatically blips the throttle and gear is reduces.

Never realized the Honda Z50 had a quick shifter, but it makes sense now how easy it was to shift.

[Huzo]

Never realized the Honda Z50 had a quick shifter, but it makes sense now how easy it was to shift.

This has got one.

[Perazzimx14]

Never realized the Honda Z50 had a quick shifter, but it makes sense now how easy it was to shift.

What's a Honda?

[Huzo]

What's a Honda?

They are a fledgling little company in Japan, that took the motorcycle from the dark ages of the industrial revolution, kicking and screaming into the wonderful world of engineering enlightenment.
They started us on the journey that leads us to the privileged position we are in today.

[Moparnut72]

Guessing you never rode a 70's era Loop????

Or an Airhead. 
kk

[Perazzimx14]

They are a fledgling little company in Japan, that took the motorcycle from the dark ages of the industrial revolution, kicking and screaming into the wonderful world of engineering enlightenment.
They started us on the journey that leads us to the privileged position we are in today.

I thought they made Civic's and generators that started with one pull. Who knew they made motorcycles??

[Huzo]

I thought they made Civic's and generators that started with one pull. Who knew they made motorcycles??

I don’t know their names, but it’s a big number.

[TOMB]

Shift, I wouldn't  know I ride a Convert.
TOMB 

[twowheeladdict]

This has got one.

People act like it is something new and wonderful on the reviews and comments I see on YouTube not realizing Honda has been doing it for over 60 years.

[Guzzistajohn]

Funny you should ask, Prescott. I just watched a video on YOUTUBE by MCRider while watching the rain on "pre loading" the shift lever;   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy7dfAUh0hg   

But, like others have mentioned, I never really thought about it that much. Some bikes just need a little more "finesse" than others. CHEERS!

The T7? No finesse needed! 

[Alfetta]

Perhaps it's just me, but I don't even use the clutch unless being aggressive, or super low in the rev range, or down shifting.
Too many ears in the dirt I guess,  I only use the clutch there for launching or "fanning" the power to increase RPMs or Reduce thrust...

and like many others here, It just comes natural, no thoughts given or processed...

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

If you don't let off the throttle while shifting the little Hondas with a centrifugal clutch it is a good way to smoke the clutch shoes, which are one of the weakest points in the drivetrain. The same is true for the modern Honda 110cc and 125cc bikes that use a traditional shifter clutch and a separate centrifugal clutch.

[Huzo]

If you don't let off the throttle while shifting the little Hondas with a centrifugal clutch it is a good way to smoke the clutch shoes, which are one of the weakest points in the drivetrain. The same is true for the modern Honda 110cc and 125cc bikes that use a traditional shifter clutch and a separate centrifugal clutch.

Some people could wreck anything.

[Huzo]

Perhaps it's just me, but I don't even use the clutch unless being aggressive,

Why the hell not ?