How To Downshift A Motorcycle Smoothly! With and without "Blip Shifting"!
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- I have already made a how to ride video and a video on engine braking, but the remaining question I keep getting asked is. How do I downshift smoothly? Those two videos do fully cover it but maybe presenting the information in a different way will help, Lets find out......
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So what was the difference of downshifting and blip? Downshifting was just the clutch and shifting down and blip was rev matching and shifting down?
well engine braking is not good for the bike is it ? I just started riding
@@maverickxrng606 no issues with engine braking if done right.
@@spicy110 so as you sequently go down the gears when coming to a stop would you blip each time you go down a gear while keeping the clutch in the whole time or do you have to let out the clutch multiple times?
@@Fleetstreetbestone You have to let the clutch back out after each shift to allow the engine braking to work.
Anyone worried about shifting on a bike dont worry... it becomes second nature very quickly. Eventually you change gears without even thinking about it.
once you’re comfortable with riding, shifting has to be the easiest part. it’s all muscle memory.
Thank You Guys So Much, I'm Fairly Decent At Upshifting... I'm Still Ruff Strong Around The Edges When Downshifting.
My problem is downshifting on a quad with the engine braking I’m scared I’m gonna blow it up or something
@@Darkshadow4647 don’t worry, you won’t 👍
I’m buying a bike and I daily drive manual but I’m scared it’s to different
As someone who gets frustrated with themselves, you reassuring us that it takes practice and we don’t have the muscle memory yet made me feel way better. Thanks mate
Don't sweat it, it will all come with practice, after all no one is born knowing how to ride a bike. 🙂👍
After about 2k miles you learn the basics of just riding around on your bike. Just make sure you are always practicing slow speed stuff too.
I swear I’m so hard on myself 😂 I expect myself to be perfect at everything when all it takes is time .
I didn't fully understand blipping immediately after watching this, but I had a eureka moment last night and blipped it like a champ. Downshifting my CB125F is really jerky without it
thats awesome!
I use to watch this guy 5 years ago when I was in college I dreamed of getting a 125 ended up getting Sinnis Apache (like he had) then r125 now I’m on a r3
I have a Kawasaki Z125 and I noticed you'll end up down shifting alot and this definitely helped alot understanding how it works and why it's so jerky with the single cylinder
@@brandonehrman8831 man I have the same bike! Drive safe
I have a r125 as you can see in my pfp best bike I've had so far I started on a cheap Chinese geared lexmoto hunter 50 (the bike I learned gears on) and I used to jolt when I down shift now I shift like a pro
This makes so much sense when you daily drive a manual. It's just like rev matching. Great video!
It IS rev matching!
Only been riding for about a week, shifting is definitely the hardest to get ingrained into my mind. I Keep coming to a stop not downshifting all the way to first then repeatedly stall annoying everyone behind me lol.
Yer you really want to be getting down the gears as you slow, changing to first as you are about to stop. As you say a stall is a inconvenience for people behind (meh not that big an issue) the bigger issue is not being in the right gear to pull away quick or people not anticipating you stalling will rear-end you. Best of luck with the practise.
This is some of the best riding I've seen! I got my first 125 2 days ago and my downshifting is a bit shit haha, this is the clearest learning ever!
I love listening to motorbike sounds. I got my first bike a week ago and unknowingly I have been blip down shifting. Came here tk learn the skill I’ve already adapted to haha. Thank you for the video!
2 years since you wrote this comment. How are you doing now?
When I was watching your tips and advice videos the way you explain things just makes you stand out from a lot of people, so straight forward and easy.
Thanks dude, I have a whole theory on why many people how to videos are frankly terrible. Maybe I won't share that tho haha
@@spicy110 Don't look at mine then 😂😂
How??? I mean zero disrespect to him as he’s clearly talented but half the video seems more like him showing off how good he is and saying ooops and “I don’t even think about it” okay great but I’m a noob and I need to think about things ....I guess my point is this seems more like a video discussion amongst people that can already do this rather than a tutorial but maybe I’m just literally retarded :/
Hopefully I’m as skilled a rider as he is one day
@@Fee.1 To be honest it's just one of those things you get better at over time.
See if someone did a down shift tutorial in a car and they've been driving for a while they would say how easy it is, mainly to boost your confidence into being able to do it yourself and secondly because they've been doing it for a while it just becomes one of those things you don't really have to think about, I don't think its showing off at all.
I get it though, when I was a noob I never rev matched and my down shifts weren't exactly great but the longer you ride the better you get.
Even I explain things as being easy like a u-turn for example and to some people that could be their weak point, not to make them feel bad or anything but just because once you practice them for a while it will become very easy.
@@ReevyTCG that’s the difference between describing something you do well and teaching someone to do something well. It’s a pretty big difference. There’s nothing wrong with just describing something you’re good at, but if you’re going to aim to teach someone something that requires a different approach
Recently got my first bike and needed this!
Any tips of downshifting without it bogging out ?
This video helped alot! Been riding for a week now and happy to annocunce that I can pretty perfectly throttle Blip. Couldnt be happier how fast I picked it up. Was hard at first but after a 2 hours of practice I got it!!!
Riding is so much fun when you master blipping.
I made the mistake on my 125 of only blip shifting so when it came to do my big bike test i wasnt used to blipping I had to learn the proper way really fast lol
Edit also that backwards wide angle on the 360 is amazing for teaching people stuff like this! i wish this had been around on bikers channels before!
Hey, great video, thank you for explaining how to downshift, I have no problem with upshifting gears, but when it comes to downshift it is another story, I'll try to practice as you explained :)
I started by riding quads and just recently learned the importance of rev-matching downshifts. Vehicle control is infinitely better with proper downshifts.
For me "clutch engine braking" where you slowly release the clutch as tyou downshift was intuitive and took to it very naturally.
This allows one to have his right hand over the front brake and regulate the brake pressure or emergency brake with no delay if needed.
Added bonus, your rear brake light is on so no one runs into the back of you without having to learn to use the rear brake to that effect.
I also rev-match on occasion but only whenever I feel the occasion asks for it.
I generally like to go a little deeper into the "braking zone" and so engine braking alone won't cut it so having my hand on the front brake aiding is necessary, I feel people rev-matching and relying heavily on engine braking tend to let off the throttle too early for my liking.
My instructor noticed this when I was doing my DAS years ago - I was already blipping the throttle on downshifts. He was like "How the hell do you know how to do that?!" - I just did it as I figured it made downshifting far smoother.
I also figured out clutchless upshifts very quickly as well :D
Totally off subject, but left mirror for cam mount is a terrific angle.👍🏼
Thank you mr, my dad passed me down his honda, and im learning how to ride properly and safely
Man you explain things so perfectly hopefully everyone took somethin from this video like I did. Be safe on the 2s you guys
i didnt actually expect to learn from a youtube video, thanks so much for teaching how to blip downshift and i like the little pops it does sometimes
Had an absolute panic with downshifting before watching this video, first ride out after I downshifted a couple of times like a champ and even blipped.
Thank you for this 👏
Taking classes soon and as a noob I got to say this is a great video. I learned a lot, and have a few new question I wanna ask my instructor. Well done mate.
Thanks a lot for this video. I had trouble learning how to downshift cause i got a 50cc and a high rpm exhaust so it was a little tricky but thanks to your explanation of rev matching its super simple. thanks!
For car drivers that can heel & toe, it’s the same concept but with your hands
Blip FTW, even with a slipper-clutch it makes life so much more betterer! :-)
Sounds better aswell ahhah
I don’t really get what a slipper clutch does exactly.
@@Fee.1 they are supposed to stop the rear wheel locking up when you down shift. If for example you don't match the revs with a blip on the down shift, the clutch will slip allowing the rear wheel to rotate with the road speed rather than the new engine speed. Once the road speed matches the engine speed, the clutch plates will stop slipping.
Good video. I never realized I was blipping and after this video I had to practice downshifting without the blip😊. Assuming that is the UK, I always heard the roads were rough. That looks really nice there.
I use tobe a Truck driver (back way back when) and all Trucks required you to double declutching which is basically blipping while downchanging,,so when I wanted to improve my style of riding and sstarted blipping I found it very easy and in conjunction with more use of the rear brake ,my cornering and general handling of the bike has improved no end..
Great video. Whatever is blip, but it's the same like in cars. While gently releasing the clutch pedal at the same time you gently add gas. Of course this is easy when changing gears up, reducing gears on the other hand is a tricky one and needs practice - and that practice is applied to every car/motorcycle because every vehicle has got other ,,feeling''.
Really glad I got this video, downshifting stresses me out especially as I've just passed my CBT so I'm still somewhat nervy with it all
Practice practice it will all come to you. I have a whole play list of videos called tips for new riders that may also help.
I found that once I nailed the smooth downshifts by blipping the throttle, the same motion makes for *buttery* smooth clutchless downshifts. No jerking or jolting to be seen!
When you blip is it before you hit the downshift or after you downshift ?
@@miguelaguilar6614 If you shift without the clutch, you blip and downshift at exactly the same time. You can try putting downward pressure on the gear shifter. It won't slip down a gear until you have blipped. If you're using the clutch, then I would it is very slightly before the downshift, but after you've pulled the clutch in.
I am about to do my CBt at 48 years of age. Never ridden a bike. Love these vids. If my instructor asks me if I know anything I will be yea its all about the buuuur
I passed my test in February at the age of 51
Did mine last year at 49. Starting full license training next month 😃 Good luck and have fun I had a brilliant time doing my CBT was grinning like a self abusing ape when I got back from the road ride 👌
Did mine last year at 51, loving being out on a bike 😊
Excellent camera angle, very helpful, thanks.
Needed this video only been riding for a few days
Also make sure to pull in the clutch all the way, because if you don't then the clutch plates will ware out quickly
In what instance? If you mean while shifting (either up or down) it doesn't really make any difference as they slip for such a short amount of time. Oil bath clutches (and dry cluthces to an extent) are designed to slip for a bit as most of the heat is absorbed and dissipated very quickly by the oil.
If you're stopped at a stop sign / red light / whatever it's always a good idea to put the bike in neutral as even with the lever all the way in you still get some slipping due to the oil thickening in between the clutch plates and causing drag
wet clutches are designed to be ridden on motorcycles tho
Thanks spicy this was very helpful ! 👍
I loved the graceful and cool hand wave as you passed the other motorcycle 😎
smoothest riding i’ve ever seen
Nice video bud. Just what I needed.Happy riding!
Glad I could help!
this video was so much fun thank you. Gonna watch all the videos on your channel
really like your camera angles. easy to see how you modulate the levers, especially the clutch.
Thanks a lot for the comment on the 125cc!! I can blip smooth from 5 to 4 to 3 but 3 to 2 maaaan i almost never get a smooth transition, i need to blip it hard and it makes a bad noise (cause ive the stock exhaust and it isn't that nice)
I loved your video, be safe!
In this case, it sounds like you are trying to blip at too low of a speed, you really only need to blip when you are using a lot of engine braking, where there would be a big gap in revs between the gears. At lower speeds, you will find standard downshifting smoother.
@@spicy110 thanks for the answer I'll pay attention to that and see if it's the case
Thank you so much for this video ive watched your videos for a while and skipped this one by accident and subsequently i failed to pass my cbt today because of struggles with down shifting i was able to do everything else really well im planning on retaking the cbt on friday or monday putting this into use because i was a bit upset when i didn't pass but i refuse to give up
Do not sweat it! Best of luck on the next one! 🙂👍
I find myself using the engine to brake more than the actual brakes, it puts me in the right gear to accelerate out of the turn (almost) every time. I'm not quite there with blip shifting yet...
on a straight nice road it's a nice thing to do. On a downward steep gradient, aproaching a tight hairpin it's a must, otherwise the backwheel will slip and might lead to a crash. That's the part I am still struggling with, bliping to revmatch while front braking smoothly.
Great videos as I am about to go for my motorbike licence very first time at the age of 44😂
Best of luck!
I just realized I’ve been downshifting like an ape for the last year. Thanks for the tips.
You know what. I've been riding for 6 years and I even found this useful
Just to add, spicy do you find gear shifting different with a pillion?
Kinda as I ride totally differently with a pillion on, I might have to film myself and see how I do things differently.
@@spicy110 that would genuinely be a very interesting video once Reeno can get out and about you should definitely see the difference. Would be a useful video for others too!
I will do this! 👍
I suppose the posh term is "rev matching" (kind of more descriptive too) and it sounds pretty cool when it's done right
Ty for the explanation I did this for a year on a four wheeler and it turned of in 4th gear
you are a perfect rider to teach for beginners you make it much easier i just understood it by the first time watching this video this is a really very good video keep it up well done
That's what I aim to do so awesome! 🙂
Im ment to be doing housework work 😂. Just done a hr on my bike i realise im dumping the cluch. Thanks ill try to apply
Very genuine reaction hahaha nice
Keep up the good work
Excellent explanation of how shifting works
Brilliant video, I enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing, I had to subscribe. Keep the how-to coming, I have to learn before December 2020
I have a whole play list for new riders about 40 videos that show and answer pretty much everything 🙂👍
was just watching this video for some tips and must admit was very shocked when i saw portsdown hill
Comes with experience and practice and also depends on the bike great video as usual 👍
Excellent tutorial -- thank you!
You're very welcome!
This was really helpful mate. I love the 2nd angle too :)
The biggest problem I still have with the whole blip thing is the order of how to do it. is it #1pull in clutch #2 down shift #3 blip throttle #4 let out clutch. or is #1 pull in clutch #2 blip throttle #3 down shift #4 let out clutch. I tend to way overthink things and it makes it so much harder to learn something new thanks for the vid this is something I have been trying to get for 6 years and gave up just got good at feathering the clutch.
It doesn't matter as long as you blip and let go of the clutch at the right moment for the right RPM. Only thing you need to be worried about is that you did in fact downshift before releasing the clutch, if that makes sense
Very good advice and excellent preparation, making it much easier to understand. Thank you for sharing it's much appreciated!!
Your bike always sounds so great. I think in buying it from you when your done
Excellent tutorial - Subscribed
Thanks for the sub!
Hey I'm back 🤣🤣
I think you should have your own motorcycle school apologies if you already have or you've explained in previous videos I've never ever been on a motorcycle and I'm learning new things through your bids obviously I'll go and get a CBT and proper training
The playlist I have made has helped get 100s on the road, I hope they help you along the way. 😀
I'll throw in a more "advanced" tip out there... if you're high in the rev range (say you're on track or just being a street Rossi - please keep your brain on anyway!) you can clutchless upshift and downshift. The same concept applies as you're doing it with the clutch, you just need to be quick and in sync with the throttle and gear shifter without using the clutch.
For upshift just quickly close and reopen the throttle while you shift.
For downshift just quickly blip the throttle while gently pushing the shifter down and it will easily and smoothly slip in gear.
Don't try this if you can't up/downshift smoothly already with the clutch or you risk damaging the shifter / gearbox
And i was wondering why is my bike keep twitching after every downshift, thanks fam!
Same as heel and toe in a car. Easy once learnt (he says!)
Yes same thing different limbs 🙃
thanks for the vid i have noticed i have stability probs when down shifting and this explains it , im on a 125 do still learning the basics
Great video and does make sense, I'm just about to get my first bike
Interesting thing that I never knew because I always owned Kawasakis is that Kawasaki is the only motorcycle manufacturer that has a positive neutral mechanism. When fully stopped any Kawasaki will ALWAYS find neutral. Not so on any other bike.
Blip shifting is too good. 20 mins of practise and it’s changed the way I ride
Yeahh, it helps you a lottttt
@@ezechiamercury1476 yeah especially with my bike, my ones a lexmoto and so the Chinese makers have low tolerance with manufacturing. My front brake disc is slightly warped so when I use the front brake it’s jumpy and jolty so i can’t use it
@@ryanm.191 Dude, please get that changed
@@noelherlufsen3465 oh yeah dw, discovered the problem like 500 miles of owning it. Took out discs, lathed them perfectly smooth and replaced. However I’ve found that if you really pull hadd on the brake and rock the bike or turn the front wheel while still, you very slightly twist the brake discs, I do not know why as theoretically they shouldn’t be affected by the above mentioned conditions
Is blip shifting only meant for downshifting? Im a new rider
Great video absolutely fantastic loved it stay safe 🇬🇧👍🏻
All this engine braking is all very well but it doesn’t tell David who’s sitting on your back wheel in van that you are slowing down. A touch of brake just to bring the light on never goes a miss
I have a system in this bike that runs my brake light for engine braking. I have a video on it, however as I mentioned I tend to brake with the front while engine braking so this is covered.
spicy110 fair play
I do not blip I've been riding since 2007 and I ride very well with out bliping on cb1000r have no problem the way I ride.
Has it got a slipper clutch?
Divvy looking sickkk. I am waiting to get paid so I can do a proper service on my bike, not riden in LONG cos of COVID.
Cos I learnt to drive first, I learnt to rev-match so I can sorta apply this to motorbikes, I use to change gear on my 125 sometimes without the clutch bad but fun.
So similar going down too.
Several of the videos I’ve seen on this give the impression it ‘all happens at once’. Actually it is a fast sequence:
1 Clutch in
2 Blip
3 Downshift
4 Clutch out
Leaving too long of a gap between steps 2 and 3 achieves nothing as revs fall back down before the shift. Common noob error. Likewise, mashing all steps together with no sense of timing also not good.
Overall I regard rev-matching as a sort of embellishment not necessary for most situations. If your downshift brings your wheelspeed and groundspeed into conflict (which can lock-up the rear) then you probably shouldn’t have downshifted in the first place.
Great explanation, thank you. Is it better to practice in the higher gears first?
The63chicky not sure, too many factors for me to give a straight answer. Most people figure this stuff out gradually through trial and error. Also depends on what kind of bike you have and how you ride (road, track etc). I have a bandit 1250 so due to the nature of that bike rev-matching is rarely necessary, might be different for smaller more powerful bikes though
i do it as clutch, downshift, blip then clutch
I am confused by your steps. Why am I blipping on #2? Wouldnt I need to downshift, and then blip and clutch out?
The transmission is disconnected from the engine with the clutch in, unless I am intentionally going higher in revs and as it falls shift and clutch out.
I am still having issues with this technique.
That’s helpful thanks. Even this video at 3:04 he leaves something out as far as I can tell. “Off the throttle, clutch in, down the gear, feather the the clutch out”
Where is the throttle reengaged there (I’m not through the whole video yet so maybe this is addressed later, but I just Rode home and I am real smooth until I start trying to manipulate the throttle while downshifting instead of just leaving it
Bro you literally helped me soo much thank you honestly 💯💯
No worries glad to help. 👍
Try clutch less blip down shift, you have to be very precise and fast when cutting the throttle and moving the shifter. When your can do it makes shifting much quicker just like auto blip on newer superbikes
Rev matching makes you instantly 10x cooler 😎
There is no doubt in that haha but it has a use on the road.... Unlike clutchless upshift without a quick shifter 😜
spicy110 I totally don’t clutchless upshift without a quick shifter 🤭 I just clutchless upshift because I’m lazy 😂 (from 2nd upwards) but I don’t think I’d be able to downshift without blipping like you said
Haha I am only messing, I do it sometimes but it doesn't gain you anything like the nippers like to think unless you are in a race flat pinned open. 🙂
spicy110: vruuuu is the key✨
me: okay got it👍
Perfect explanation.
This is a perfect video,I will practice this
I both blip and don't blip, I do tend to be a late braker and heavy on the engine braking but with progressive front brake also I am a 2 finger braker so I can control the throttle and brake at the same time. I also tend hover my foot over the brake when cornering aggressively in case I need to settle the bike mid turn.
To be honest I never use a clutch on the up shifts. Preload the gear lever, blip the throttle and you have the most smooth get change of all manual methods. That’s how the quick shifter works. Works the best in the upper range of revs but that’s when you need to shift anyway.
Not smart 👎🏽😆
Ok guys and girls I'm new to the motorcycle scene. I'm 56 yo and I'm currently taking private mc lessons. I've never seen on a motorcycle. I have so many questions to ask. What is Blip shifting? Great video. Consider me a new subscriber to your channel. 👍👍
I have a whole playlist on my channel that explains a lot of basics check it out, ua-cam.com/play/PL-ow7a_42PpS4RoPPNeBgQ3oEagBWT9Ey.html
Thanks brother! It helped.
When you said your braking at the same time as downshifting are you using just the rear brake and engine brake for that.
How greet in cow language: MOO FREN!!
MOOOOOO
Very nice video
That R30 looking good. I love my kriega.
I have the smaller R25, but yes best bike luggage made. This bag has served me well for 8 years maybe and survived a serious crash better than me haha its kinda my lucky bag now if I were to believe such superstitions.
My only thing is the downshifts. I've been on the road once in 6th gear. It was the best feeling in the world but my downshifts are not the best still. I've done dual sports in empty lots. I have a permit and a Kawasaki z400. It's a great bike but downshifts are a little tricky
I surprising picked this up super fast after my cbt
Very good explanation. When we can expect your next bike review?
i love your motorcycle
Thank you!
I happened to be pondering on this topic heavily lately so glad you read my mind! 👍🏼🐄
Thank God at 0:38 someone else took control of your camera! I was dizzy & becoming very nauseous until this change.
And why are you driving on the wrong side of the road???
Someone changed the camera? Wrong side of the road? Are you drunk haha
new rider here and just wanted to ask. After the blip are you completely closed throttle and just coasting for a bit?
thanks
Ok, so when downshifting without the blip, you downshift and stay off the throttle while feathering the clutch out? And when blip-shifting/rev-matching, you you downshift and blip at the same time and dump the clutch while staying off the throttle?
I have been pratcing this. still need alot more practice, but I think i am getting better, somtimes I drop the cluth too fast, and the bike jerks, but im getting there.. slowly but trully I hope haha