How to Rev Match and Engine Brake on a Motorcycle

[@MarissaTheMuse]

Tip:the goal of all of this is to be smooth folks. If you blip too much you’ll jerk forwards with acceleration, if you don’t blip enough you’ll feel an abrupt slowdown when you downshift. Pay attention to your inputs and the impact it has on your vehicle. Unless you’re deliberately trying to accelerate or brake aggressively you want your ride to always be extremely smooth, like you have a bowl of cereal in the passenger seat you don’t want to spill. If you notice that when flipping the throttle you’re jerking the bike sound too much, you’re either over revving or under revving…if it’s a perfectly smooth transition into the next gear at the same exact speed, then you’ve mastered it, congratulations. (Until you get there just experiment with different amounts of throttle and how much of a blip is required, it varies depending on the bike and numerous variables, but less tends to be more. Edit: yam more or less stated this in the parking lot section right after I typed this. Just note that when he says “it feels better” he’s saying the same thing I am when I say “make it smooth”. Smooth transitions is what it’s all about. A passenger in a car or bike with A skilled manual operator should have no idea you’re operating a manual…it shouldn’t feel any different to an auto, unless you want them to. Be a smooth operator.

[@Supreme_Lobster]

Smooth criminal

[@DiagolonRider]

tell me about it, I'm still learning to ride in a 2005 Honda cbr600rr... tried rev matching a couple times abs damn near launched myself over the house! lmao

[@shivvashishthabhargava4600]

Word. 👌👌💪👍❤️

[@kellycoote7149]

Do racers on the track use the rev match technique. And if you are dropping more than one gear, say coming hot into a corner, you rev match each gear or what.

[@ramachandranpillaip2657]

will this technique be good when upshifting

[@WallyST675]

Locking my rear tire at 30ish MPH was one of the more memorable moments in my early riding career. Got lucky and didn't drop her, but I skidded a solid 5-7 feet with the back end fish tailing.

[@TheMaskedheel]

This. I had no idea what happened because msf you don’t really get out of 2nd gear.

[@maxb4210]

@@TheMaskedheelHow long did it take you to get truly comfortable on the road after MSF? Took it months ago and finally getting my first bike next week, but I wasn’t even aware of shit like this until just now

[@flyWestjett]

@@maxb4210 Lol I'm in the exact same boat as you when you wrote this - how'd it all go?

[@xitsAndrew3388]

@@flyWestjettyoull be fine just practice practice

[@lauran.7687]

Why did that happen?

[@DavidM2002]

A couple of years ago, the clutch cable on my CBR started to fray and I was down to about 3 or 4 strands. My cable was 3 inches longer than stock due to my slightly raised bars so I couldn't get one from a dealer, and I had no repair kit. Plus, I was 300 miles from home. I did have to ride the slab instead of the back roads that I prefer. But, because I rev matched exactly as demonstrated here, I was able to use the clutch only for starting and stopping; all gear changes were done very smoothly without my clutch. And yes, I did make it home. And I now carry a spare cable plus a repair kit.

[@Chris-cy3uq]

damn, how did you rev match? neutral, rev and then into gear?

[@DavidM2002]

@@Chris-cy3uq No, that was the only time that I really did use the clutch.

[@dr.kevincastro4515]

It's a good idea lightly tap on the rear brake a few times while doing this. Just enough to get the rear brake lights to show. Otherwise cars behind you won't know you're slowing down as fast as you are and continue going the same speed and hit you

[@techroma1984]

You should be at least covering the front lever if you're slowing down

[@lumpvision5746]

This is GREAT advice! I rev match while on the rear brake for that very reason. Never while on the front brake to avoid possibly grabbing a hand full of front brake on accident. I still cover the front brake, but I don't actually use it while rev matching.

[@kylebaine2901]

I actually just learned today and found myself doing the same thing unconsciously ​@@lumpvision5746

[@jum0man137]

Trying to understand it, so it’s clutch in (just inside the friction zone), blip/rev up first and immediately after drop down a gear during the rev up and then clutch out (or back to just outside the friction zone) for downshifting (then back on the throttle?), and it’s clutch in, off the throttle, go up a gear, and immediately back on the throttle, then clutch out for upshifting? I know there’s only a fraction of a second between each step, but is the order at least correct?

[@Thanatos2996]

I prefer using the front (assuming I’m not riding a bit of rear to slow), it’s a lot easier to blink quickly, but it’s definitely a good idea either way.

[@Fedaalis]

As a new rider this season, I can't get enough of these types of videos. I tried out your method & I'm not perfect at it, but it is already much less abrupt downshifting than it used to be.

[@Drew-eb9do]

Once you understand the concept it all comes to muscle memory, so even if it feels a little clunky at first, just keep practicing and eventually you'll start rev matching before you realize your doing it.

[@blaugranahd4048]

should i release the clutch slowly or right after i down the gear while doing this?

[@TheSovietBear97]

​@@blaugranahd4048Around the 2:50 mark he mentions to slowly release

[@aryaa4581]

Finallllllyyy someone is telling the order it should be in. Thank you Yammie. I wasted so much time watching other people when I thought…”I bet YN has it. And if he does, it’s probably the only demo vid I’ll need.” Yes sir. Everyone is saying do all steps at the same time which is fine theoretically. But in reality I’m sure one step happens a few milliseconds before the other steps. So this helps my brain greatly in the learning stages to process this @2:50. Thank you!

[@sheldonkrc4832]

Great video! Started using this little throttle blip today, world of difference on the downshift and the way it allows the engine brake to actually work. Great explanation and please keep these vids coming. Stay safe.

[@ChaiNinja]

So helpful. I’ve been just clutch downshift and yes you notice the beating the engine is taking by just clutch downshift to slow the bike. Will practice your technique for sure !!!!

[@riteshray7707]

Hey Yammie, I've been watching your videos for quite sometime now and loving every single one of them. I've just bought my first bike and really looking forward to get into the world of motorcycling. Just wanted to say that your videos have been of immense help, more power to you my man!

[@hardietucker4256]

MOME COME LOOK YAMMIE UPLOADED

[@CaitofFate]

🤣

[@257796]

Keep watching team Yammie Noob

[@MarissaTheMuse]

I thought he reached his final form and finally left. Haven’t seen a video recommended from him in ages. He looks bored.

[@joeschmoe2697]

@@MarissaTheMuse Probably because every year around the beginning of the riding season all motorcycle KZbinrs start putting out videos for beginners. Can’t blame them though since most of those will do the best as a lot of people start their motorcycle riding around this time.

[@joshXnovak1]

Thank you, Papa Yam. I just bought a new bike and am riding for the first time in like 7 years. Good refresher for me in good timing!

[@lunycto7863]

I used to live in Austin before I moved for college. Watching yammie pass the stadium I spent a ton of friday nights at is surreal to me now that I'm learning to ride.

[@nandyad]

This is the best demonstration with the best explanation of engine breaking after blipping. 🙌🏼

[@Cthooligan]

Quickshifters tend to replace the need for this skill nowadays, but not all quickshifters are created equal. The quickshifter on my Z H2 isn't super great in all gears and RPM ranges, so I still use manual rev matching when going down from 2nd to first gear for better smoothness and to make sure I don't lose the skill over time.

[@MarissaTheMuse]

Features should never replace skills, only supplement them

[@ankur.xc7]

That's feels cool and professional at the same time.👌🏻 Btw if you're riding motorcycles, then you're already doing the coolest thing in the world. 💓

[@RiceSandwiches]

I am actually just trying to learn this on my 125cc bike, great timing, thanks yammie!

[@mathis1493]

what one you got? I'm thinking of getting a Duke 125 when I get my license

[@min_nari]

hope you graduate from that bike soon! welcome to the club

[@prabhuorion9202]

I do rev match on my 125 it's great

[@viktor4757]

@@mathis1493 dude the newer dukes are so cool, the older ones look a little goofy though😂

[@mathis1493]

@@viktor4757 haha yeah 1000% agree 🤣

[@theyoungghost001]

Just got my first bike, and I have learned a lot thanks to your channel and content.😊

[@vader5454]

Give the blip of throttle at the same time you kick down a gear. I feel that it’s easier to remember this way.

[@jonathonlong6504]

I recently saw a newer rider lock up his back tire while it was raining, and ended up messing the bike up pretty bad, all because he didn’t know what rev matching was…good video, I watched another video you had about this when I first started riding and it helped immensely, just a took a couple weeks to master.

[@dineshkrishnan4029]

What bike was it?

[@jonathonlong6504]

@@dineshkrishnan4029 some 650

[@MineFullStop]

Well ofcourse Yammie will be doing it on a bike his giving away. I'm not saying he doesn't know how to do it properly but to learn to do it smoothly you need to make a lot of mistakes which is bad for the bike.

[@LaylaStennett]

Just got my 600 and tried to do this today and it just jolted me forward. My 300 can handle a throttle rip but not my 6 definitely gonna open her up just a little

[@MILLZ254]

Coming from only driving manual cars in my youth, it was a natural thing for me. I always thought everyone knew how to do it!

[@MarissaTheMuse]

It’s still very different from a car in low speed maneuvers…drive them both the same and you’ll burn up the clutch in your car fast af assuming youre driving the car like you’re supposed to ride, if you do the opposite you’ll just be absolutely terrible at low speed maneuvers

[@jameserickson1330]

When first starting, blip the rpm’s higher and let the clutch out as the rpm’s fall to the new gears/speed’s target rpm. Trying to “nail” the rpm’s perfectly with a throttle blip when first starting is pretty difficult.

[@briantcruz3120]

Just got my ninja 400 and this Helped a lot ! Thank you

[@Anch0422]

Thank you. This was the one thing I was really stuck on and I needed this breakdown.

[@theodorecalkins4212]

I haven't used my clutch to shift for years. I put 70k miles on my last bike and didn't use the clutch for anything that didn't include a stop or speeds below idle in first gear. My new bike has an up and down quickshifter, and I still find myself manually blipping the throttle to downshift.

[@octopodis]

I was yesterday looking for a video about this. Great timing, even better video!

[@stevewilson8752]

Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺🍹 Great teachings in this video 👍😊 ive learnt plenty matey ! Thanks cobber 😄 Much appreciated from down under 🇦🇺🕺🏍

[@TheEndIsMan392]

I cant wait to get started. Id say by next month, in Mid May is when I get my bike. The money is now there, just want to save alittle more for maybe the ZX4RR instead of the 500. I dont want to have to deal with the gears popping out prematurely without downshifting on the 500

[@Ghostithiz]

I will learn this on my new starter bike. A turbo hayabusa. Would recommend for a newcomer

[@zhylerliebesleid9771]

So its the same concept when you want to find neutral easily from 2nd gear. This is a skill a must have when riding motorcycles.

[@EtherealGrows]

Thanks, but there’s a ton of videos on how to rev match, downshift. But what NOBODY explains squids is how to properly downshift several gears while braking hard (coming from a high speed section into a very slow / tight corner. Make a video on that… :)

[@jasicjan]

this the best instruction video about rev matching i could find on ytb. THX a lot for this detailed information.

[@Strip4Dreezy]

I remember doing my msf course and downshifting while being too fast and getting that jerk was such a terrible feeling

[@WiikendMotovlog]

If you do it right it will sound like this, vroom vroom.. smooth engine brake 💨🔥

[@yohanyonsson]

I have been riding for 20 years but I have never felt the need for this. Sometimes I do it instinctively but I very rarely feel the need. I might be riding too weak bikes. :D

[@wraith5074]

Brother, I do it with sz-x 153cc.

[@marxteven]

Yammie here teaching us how to rev match and engine braking, finding a reason to take out that tasty Aprilia

[@wackyones408]

Yammie is that a speedy on the wrist? Baller as hell!

[@saintpeniel]

My buddy In my class is teaching me on his ninja 400, this was a great video explaining engine braking, that was what my friend is teaching me at the moment. I practice in a empty lot, this is my first time riding thank you! Hopefully I'm able to get one soon

[@imklix]

They didn’t teach this in my CBT course, I’ve only found out about it on my third motorcycle, really makes it feel like it’s supposed to when changing gears, great video! Can I ask what jacket you’re wearing?

[@turner747]

Does it matter whether the blip is before or after the shift? It doesn't engage until you let the clutch is out, right?

[@Tlopresto24]

I ask myself the same thing lol

[@cooliipie]

🕺🏼

[@s5sadova555]

Great TIp. Never really knew this. I have road a quad before and plan on getting a bike I think I could use that for both of them

[@stephenpublicover8818]

Hey Yammie Dude, I know I am old school, but I cant engine break on a two-stroke, use brakes a lot more pre-braking before corners, and had rd 400 and rz 350.

[@romandyrdua5489]

Whole lesson you can take in four simple steps 1.clutch in 2. shift down 3. throttle up 4. release clutch then and practice till every down shift will be fast and smooth without any jerks 😎 in the final stage whole 4 point must be done nearly in one moment ... in fact very good job with the film. 👍 I must say that ... engine braking is not for pro look/sound ... there are a lot of advantages for that kind of braking... you save gasoline, chain, gearbox, clutch, gears, brake pads, brake disks. In fact when you know that kind of shifting you can stop using clutch making shifting much faster ... ;)

[@51iohC]

so im hearing clutch out, shift down, blip, clutch in. but im also hearing (including yammy in this video) clutch out, blip, shift down, clutch in. which is it??? or does it matter.

[@kyokosgarden3779]

It looks like he’s revenge first then clutch in the rev again then shift down. I’m so confused

[@PREM_RVT]

Well ! it feels good when I do all this perfectly on my 110cc tvs star city 🙂

[@buropinto8744]

Nice way to describe it.... "Blip" the throttle.

[@askaryanpulse5755]

Yeah.... I guess this just becomes intuitive because, TBH, I have a 180degree parallel twin and because of the torque, I rarely need to use my brakes when coming up to a light or a stop sign.. The engine braking is so potent that if you didn't give a little gas, the bike will throw your body forward drastically through deceleration. Definitely a great way to save on brake pads!!

[@jamesnuapah8197]

This seriously really helped, a lot of “instructors” make it seem like you can’t engage the clutch and throttle simultaneously

[@timgooding]

Great video. Having a bike with a slipper clutch works too..

[@fsgRex]

Can you elaborate?

[@GunCollector007]

Thanks. I need to practice this.

[@3000ryu]

Best explanation ever!

[@dipakpawar3183]

Into the Ev's the regenerative braking is simple! 👇❤

[@Dangerwiggles]

What I just explained to my wife is that the throttle blip is the exact same as changing gears up. You just always blip in the opposite direction. If you're applying power to accelerate your quick "blip" is closing the throttle, touch the clutch, to shift up. If you're decelerating and braking you're already off throttle your blip is applying throttle briefly, touch the clutch, to shift down. All the same, the only thing you have to THINK about is if you're shifting up or down.

[@JamoZNL]

I can`t ride my Firestorm hard without rev matching. The compression of a big V twin will lock that rear wheel very quickly if you don`t rev match...

[@ZinoAmare]

I will practice it but feel wise I got it down. will let ya know how this goes xD well first motorcycle license.

[@falkon9626]

good stuff mate , really thankfull for this

[@TheFatOldGuy]

Great video as always

[@Judgeshred88]

So do you wind off the accelerator, then Clutch, blip, gear release or hold the accelerator a little on in the same position, clutch, blip, gear, release?

[@huntermonzon5231]

Back to back uploads let’s go

[@nationzrules8642]

It's annoying when they say"it's cheeper to replace your brackes! than your clutch" Rev matching is sick🤙

[@edgaryellow]

having owned a 1st gen aprilia tuono, it was necessary to blip the throttle otherwise it would simply not downshift :P

[@dmac1653]

I really struggle maintaining stable front break pressure when blipping the throttle, my breaking fingers jiggle around when i blip the throttle with my thumb 🙁 guess i just need to keep on practicing

[@shaneprimus1089]

Great man....Hey wats up with the giveaways for motors in Trinidad?

[@gingercat777]

Never had to do this, can't be bothered with the extra work.

[@pweekes123]

Thank you now I understand how to do it

[@Lemmon714_]

Those of us that drive trucks and ride bikes have an advantage. You might be able to down shift a truck Yammie. You have to rev match while down shifting a truck.

[@asifahammed7689]

Love your Hesalite Speedy :)

[@johnorliemartinezburanday1399]

Thanks a lot folks

[@santapodracer1980]

Most modern big bikes have a slipper clutch. Stops locking of the rear wheel

[@anujnaik6279]

Papa yam at it again

[@bryancardenas-qs4ig]

So I just started practicing rev matching I feel like I’m improving but I see videos were riders rev match gears back to back and looks smooth but when I do it sometimes I notice I take slower and longer to rev match between gears because if I drop from 4 to 3 the engine slows down a lot and I feel it because I kinda lunge foward it’s a rough slow down

[@96blackjacket]

My Sv650 has crazy good engine breaking

[@kendotek9414]

My SV650s taught me this😉

[@ankitshelke8637]

Is it only to be done while downshifting?

[@EdibleJackson]

Gold. Thanks so much

[@garyglasser6478]

Us older "kids" learned this long ago with our V8 engine cars with STICK SHIFTS. (59 year old kid on a 2022 Z900)

[@Metin689]

These vids r amazing ❤

[@nicknamenimmu]

I does this all the time give the traffic and riders we have here. I just wanna know what kind of pressure it puts on the engine on the long run.

[@Focuz_]

Could you theoretically keep your hand on the accelerator all throught the gear changing/clutch procedure and adjust after when you are in the smaller gear

[@GAZPLE]

so i didnt understand one thing, it is not recommended doing in higher speeds and in 6th gear ? only between 40-60 mph ?

[@vijayschadalavada]

@yammie, Thank you very much for the video, it is very useful. I have a question: While the goal is to match the engine speed with a lower gear, why are we not using the brakes? I was told to use front or rear brake to slow down a little bit before I do rev match.

[@JToronto]

So clutch, blip, kick

[@gigipirvu3745]

What about the increased vacuum în the manifold? Will act upon the valves sealing and increase the oil consumsion. I thinck

[@GrtSatan]

Matching transmission speed to engine speed is as natural and instinctive to me as breathing. That's the benefit of fifty rears of experience.

[@GrtSatan]

"Years" I think I may have accidentally created a really good dirty joke.

[@TheMaskedheel]

@@GrtSatan Hey buddy either way I’m impressed.

[@Blue_Pumpkin]

I blip the throttle first, then shift down. The downshifts are smooth, no jerk. I was doing it for the past three monthis. Is this wrong? In the last few days I feel like suddenly my bikes revs slightly high to go at same speed as before. But before it didn't rev that high before to go at the same speed. I think I've damaged by clutch plate.

[@QuietStormX]

I learned that as a kid and Moto-X too racing on turns...

[@jrviade85]

2:39 now do a video explaining WTF is "a blip of the throttle"?????? Is it closing the throttle?? Is it opening it?

[@xninxjax]

When you give the instructions at 2:30 you say that the downshift happens between the clutch pull and the throttle blip. But right after, you say the downshift happens after the blip. Which is it, or does it not matter?

[@zacharylopez8362]

With the speed at which it’s all done, it doesn’t matter too much, as long as you do it *after* you pull in the clutch. I downshift almost at the exact same time as I blip the throttle, then let off the clutch

[@xninxjax]

@@zacharylopez8362 thank you

[@EvilSapphireR]

What happens if we don't rev match? Shift down a gear and letting out the clutch slowly for everything to match up. Doesn't engine breaking happen in that case?

[@blackhole4]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MarissaTheMuse]

I noticed there is no Exit Interview from Whitney…you don’t want to savor that experience again bro? 😂 Enjoy the pain, it hurts so good, all part of the process

[@vaportrail226]

What's up with that. Wasn't Whit just in a video

[@devanarayananh2192]

Is blipping and downshifting done at the same time?

[@SHD_Agent6514]

Can you shift between gears on turns/curves? Especially if needing to stop because of obstacle upfront or to speed up to get away from an incoming obstacle.

[@windrimondo]

would it be okay to do it in the order of: press clutch, shift, throttle, release clutch? Or should it always be press clutch, throttle, shift, release clutch? Thanks

[@OnyX_Orion]

I have a question Can you upshift using the same rev matching method or is it not possible or bad for the motorcycle?

[@machocat]

Do you blip only when shifting down? Or every time you go up or down?

[@johnadams3038]

Is it better to use the quick-shifter or to rev-match?

[@johnadams3038]

@Zvan6R Yes when downshifting with the quickshifter

[@ahmadelyan97]

Thank you pro 😊

[@stevenbumbalough8117]

Do you maintain throttle when blipping or do you let off the throttle then blip?

[@Etb323]

Tought this video would also show how to rev match to go up gears without the clutch. Regardless, great video. I’m trying to learn this skill but it feels like I’m gonna break something.