The Struggle of Shifting as a Beginner...(Yamaha R3)

Pretty sure I just suck at shifting right now lol #yamahar3community #yamaha #r3 #motorcycle #motovlog

[@KingJerbear]

For me when I first started shifting a manual car it helped a lot when I looked up how the clutch actually works. Being able to visualize what's actually happening when you pull the lever and change gears seems to make it a lot easier

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Yea that’s definitely true, in the beginning all my manual car experience helped so much. Not I just need to work on smoothness!

[@StewieTopless]

Almost 20yrs ago, but I literally did the same thing. Never had an issue I was unaware of after that video. It was like animated & showed the clutch separation & I instantly understood what was happening. By the time I hopped on a bike it’s was 2nd nature

[@KingJerbear]

@@StewieTopless Yep I swear i think it was like HowStuffWorks at the early days of the internet I think I watched the same one

[@StewieTopless]

@@KingJerbear that video should get a Nobel prize or something. I didn’t have to watch it multiple times, I don’t remember any exposition. Just exploded diagram of a clutch assembly from the flywheel back & I was off to burn the clutch on a 3500 ram 6 speed we used to haul junk in my automotive class. I could “move” manual cars before, but that video taught me how to drive them & it’s priceless… I’m gonna see if I can find it lol

[@StewieTopless]

@@KingJerbear kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHPEdnZ3l8ajiMksi=j6WAbnKDwBQ3dxsV had to be this one cause it’s the only one old enough, but there is a lot more talking than I remember. I must have skipped right to the 3d part & didn’t watch anymore after lmao

[@sj10.06]

Just bought an r3 yesterday! I had some trouble getting smooth shifts so far too. Been watching your vids and others for a while now and i’m glad to see someone else that’s not a pro and shows us all the experience we go through! Can’t wait to start this journey!

[@CloudedThoughtz]

@@sj10.06 best of luck! And thank you!

[@pristinearc3830]

Just revved the shit out of my bike cause I thought I clicked up from first to second at a green light but I really went from first to neutral😀

[@fuqumeen9764]

Sameeee

[@kpmccreery]

This happens because you are not preloading the shifter. Put pressure on the foot shifter before you are about to shift. Once you pull the clutch slightly the gear will always fall into the right gear. No more neutral huge revs accidentally

[@SpeedyMeatball]

You inspire me 🤞🏾 getting my bike in a couple months, brand new rider and i’m definitely going with a R3 , love the videos man keep it up

[@CloudedThoughtz]

This is awesome! I’m glad I could inspire you :)

[@CloudedThoughtz]

I promise im getting better lol

[@Soeks77]

Lk get an exhaust lmao. It’ll make it sound much better and make it easier to shift based on sound. I couldn’t imagine how difficult it would get to hear the a tiny 300cc with a stock muffler at high speed w all the wind too.

[@kpmccreery]

Are you preloading the foot shifter?

[@Crafty925]

I’m bad for not wearing a jacket or hoodie but this dude even got the jeans with the holes🤣 killer looking bike tho dude! I like the vids. Stay safe buddy

[@CloudedThoughtz]

hahaha lol yea sometimes I wear ripped jeans casue they dont ride up my legs as much.... but man its tough to wear a hoodie in this weather

[@marc.prieto]

Sweet R3, just got a Z400 and enjoy watching fellow beginner experiences. Keep up the vids bro

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Ayyy let’s goo!

[@coreysagamer]

Just got a z400 a week ago. Upgraded fender eliminator and exhaust already. Love it though.

[@JLWrangler23]

Trust me you’ll get it. I have pretty much 0 experience with a clutch and horrible anxiety but I got a r7. After a week I was riding comfortably on the highway. Took a couple weeks to figure out downshifting. The less you think and more you feel/hear the bike the better you’ll do.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Ayyy that’s a nice bike you have there in the R7! I appreciate your vote of confidence haha

[@PoodlehawkFPV]

I changed my oil at 350 to Motul and immediately noticed a smoother shift😉

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Interesting….

[@Ricardo58_]

7100?

[@uhhlainey]

youll improve over time the more u ride 🙏

[@CloudedThoughtz]

I hope so 😂

[@unknownnebula6047]

Funny how we’re having the same problem, I thought I had shifting down and now I’m struggling again lol

[@CloudedThoughtz]

It’s a real struggle out here lol

[@Phil-kessel-lover]

I love you videos so much I am 14 and I really want a motorcycle can’t wait till I can buy one, your videos give me a bit of adrenaline because of how fun it looks

[@Soeks77]

Yo, don’t get a street bike if you don’t know how to ride or have never ridden. Start on a dirt bike like a crf 125f or a cheap Chinese pit bike with a clutch, learn how to countersteer shift wheelie body position foot brake, learn it all on a dirtbike, before getting a street bike.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

That’s awesome to hear! Just make sure you take the MSF course and do lots of research on what gear to purchase! Best of luck out there one day!

[@2naPhish]

I’ll be doing the same real soon

[@kpmccreery]

Preload the shifter. Put pressure on the foot shifter to the point of almost shifting. When you pull the clutch the gear will almost fall into place. Changed my riding completely

[@CloudedThoughtz]

hmm... thank you!

[@dinotyler8599]

Nice bike, man. I'm a new rider too, but on a Ninja 500. One thing I have found to make shifts smoother is to release the clutch slower. I see in your video you are moving the clutch really fast, but if you slow down the release (not slow, but slightly slower) it should be quite a bit smoother. Obviously, this advice doesn't help when accelerating fast, but smooth shifting doesn't matter as much when you are pulling. XD

[@sausage_fingerz6802]

Exactly, and props for seeing this as a newer rider. Blipping, the quick action shifting, isn't always necessary especially early on. Learn to let the clutch out slow and tune in on the friction zone. This will help with low speed maneuvers too later on

[@sausage_fingerz6802]

Also helps prevent you from accidentally dumping the clutch before you learn your bikes power

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Nice bike! I appreciate the advice, ride safe out there :)

[@prodjlxu]

@@CloudedThoughtzyea this is the one release the clutch a little slower bruv🫶

[@dominickwimbush5891]

​@@CloudedThoughtz its not due to the fact youre shifting too slow. youre only bogging bc youre shifting too early.

[@solymiller659]

Im getting my r3 next week and i cant wait, one of my first mods are ganna be a m4 exsaust also definitely one of the best sounding ones imo

[@deedle6073]

Hope you plan on getting the ECU flashed otherwise you will be worse than stock.

[@solymiller659]

@@deedle6073 what’s that? I can’t just buy the street slayer slip on? I don’t mean to sound stubborn I actually just don’t know

[@deedle6073]

@@solymiller659 The M4 Street slayer is the closest thing you can get to a full system, It is pretty much a full system since it removes the catalytic convertor. The ecu is the computer, and since the bike runs lean from the factory, now the bike will be even more lean with the exhaust, so the flash programming will fix the air and fuel so that it will run the way it should.

[@solymiller659]

@@deedle6073 thank you 🙏 I’ll remember this when I get it

[@CloudedThoughtz]

LETS GO! welcome to the club... shortly haha

[@bigboibill1209]

Just got my CBR500r as a first bike and I feel you on not shifting smoothly. I'm not used to matching the revs while letting off the clutch yet, and it took me a bit to learn how to walk the clutch well and not stall lol.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

I appreciate the tip! And nice bike :)

[@driftballer]

I've got the M4 on my 23' R3. Best sounding exhaust IMO for them.

[@Tcatalino01]

Same bike! I’m also still figuring out shifting 😭

[@CloudedThoughtz]

its a real struggle haha

[@frequenzygamingyt1376]

One day at a time :)

[@Tyresong]

You know how the clutch is inside the sump, and bathed in ENGIE oil? try changing the oil, if it's been in there a while. It's one of the more common things that can cause issues, and it's the easiest to do! The best option for a Tinted Visor, is get a pair of "Flying Eyes" Glasses that can't shatter and go through your eye like cheap sunnies do. either that or carry a clear visor with you at all times so you can actually see when the light gets low, and swap them over... I'd take the super strong and flexible sunnies option! I don't have dedicated day and night helmets, I have in town and open road helmets, one to look good, the other to be quieter & safer

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Wow great advice and input! I really appreciate it! So I have about 300 miles on the bike and there break in service is due at 600, I’m thinking I just gotta wait it out and practice my shifting before I take it in!

[@albertburke869]

I took this as a personal attack since i have the exact same bike, and just started myself

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Hahaha welcome to the struggle club

[@ratharn5182]

I just got my ninja 500 on Friday and upshifting feels way better than downshifting for me. The ones @8:30ish or so right out of the station seemed fine? I noticed I dont really shift until I'm pushing about 4k RPM and I dont ever seem to have any issues or jerking, but its definitely something that I do quickly, like if I'm gonan shift, I get my foot ready and I'll roll off, clutch in and tap up and then immediately go back on the throttle, takes less than a second I think. Good luck man!

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Awesome bike! And thank you for your insight I really appreciate it :)

[@ratharn5182]

@@CloudedThoughtz heck yeah man! I saw some of your later vids and it looks like you were getting it down, so my bad haha, great vids so far :)

[@antoenio]

the bike shifts a little easier when the RPMS are higher, i've noticed around 6-8k rpms it doesn't jurk me around as much

[@CloudedThoughtz]

hmmm ya know I never really thought about that...

[@user-qo4tv1re5e]

i got my ninja 300 a few days ago im so excited to ride it!!! also we have the same gloves lmao

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Welcome to the cool kid club 😂

[@perfectimperfectness3519]

Visor on my Sedeci is tinted. I hope I spelled that right.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Thank you!

[@StewieTopless]

I think your issue is really with your clutch. Instead of just letting go as you roll throttle, continue the release speed as you roll throttle. Also you don’t have to use the entire stroke of the clutch lever, just the area we call the “friction zone”. The time it takes from the lever being completely depressed to getting back into the friction zone is long enough to miss the timing & make shifts rough

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Ahhh thank you for the tip!

[@schurtzfielder1309]

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

[@Boonded]

bro before u upshift u have to apply slight pressure up on the shifter it made it smoother

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Never thought of that

[@jakesuspect8991]

Clutch blip shift clutch Gonna tell ya a weird thing I caught myself doing everytime I go to a grocery store or Walmart any place with a kart lol I practice shifting with the kart handle bar 🤣🤣🤦‍♂️ clutch blip shift clutch and I try to always make sure I time all of that so my left foot takes the step right after the blip and releasing the clutch as my foot leave the ground (I’m weird I know)

[@CloudedThoughtz]

wait.... the shopping cart makes so much sense lol im gonna try it!

[@oldcowbb]

glad i'm not the only that sucks at shifting

[@CloudedThoughtz]

hahahha

[@ele_mrfire9423]

What is your gloves, keep up with the youtube grind bro.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

thank you! they are the alpinestarts carbon v2's

[@sawyernelson3561]

Don’t shift until the rpm bar almost hits redline every time

[@LucianneRodriguez]

If you wear headphones, all you can hear is his breathing in your left ear

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Hmmm maybe because it’s a lavalier directional mic

[@Kronorath]

Do you have your license? I failed the MSF exam, still have my permit tho, i gotta work on my Uturns and weaves, gunna to the DMV road test when i get more comfortable on the bike.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Yea the first thing I did was the MSF course, I passed and went to the DMV to get a certified M2 license. Im glad you went through MSF its not easy but its worth it for new riders life us!

[@bitingcat5253]

hey man i actually have the same helmet as you but black. they sell a smoked visor for it on amazon for around 50 dollars.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Bet! Thank you

[@StanDeMan2001]

In America, most of the cars are automatic. You're more likely to learn to drive in an automatic car. In the Netherlands, where I live, most of the people still learn to drive in a manual car (You can choose). Most of the cars in the Netherlands are also manual cars. Because of this reason, learning to drive a manual motorcycle, can be more difficult, for someone who has never driven a manual car.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

I’ve been driving manual cars for years now! My Camaro is a 6-speed! It came easily to me when I was a beginner rider - just need to practice more

[@StanDeMan2001]

@@CloudedThoughtz Practice makes perfect!

[@Vinay-yz3wd]

Try shifting slowly first. Once u can shift consistently, try shifting a bit faster

[@CloudedThoughtz]

I think you are on to something here 😂

[@lilly_xox0244]

Wanting to get a grom as a first bike but my biggest hurdle is shifting, due to me never having been on a bike i just cant figure it out but then i also don't want to drop the money on a bike if idk how to ride it properly lol any tips?

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Parking lots are your best friend

[@lilly_xox0244]

@@CloudedThoughtz true, just need the bike first lol

[@melissamartinez2322]

Even taking classes do you still need to do the written test too

[@CloudedThoughtz]

For my course it was just the riding test!

[@h3c133]

you have to granny the clutch at lower rpms and at higher rpms you can dump the clutch i noticed you dump it at low rpm causing the issue

[@CloudedThoughtz]

I think you are right!

[@BoogieGrows]

sounds like you're suffering from the yips.

[@WillbjayTV]

What are you using to get that clean audio sound?

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Sony ECM lavaleir mic!

[@WillbjayTV]

@@CloudedThoughtz thanks! I have an old one I bought years ago some random brand.

[@ruimteschipYT]

Hi i am new here ride safe 😊

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Welcome to the fam!

[@dovaiS]

Try shifting at higher rpms. Unsure if its just because I ride a 600 but short shifting at the bottom of the powerband sucks sometimes. If I go higher obviously the finesse needs to be higher but it always will be better somehow. They're kinda like cars but like higher rpms. Dont over think and listen to your engine.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Thank you this actually makes alot of sense lol

[@dovaiS]

@@CloudedThoughtz Also I forgot to mention but think back to your car manual. Sometimes it doesn't want to go into a certain gear and you can feel it. But if you're at the right rpms it will go straight in, I think motorcycle gearboxes are way different but it just feels like it works that way too. This is all personal stuff but I think it works! Just try it and hopefully it works for ya too.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

@@dovaiS totally… I’m just overthinking honestly lol

[@morose8082]

You either jam your foot upwards or you end up in neutral sorry buddy

[@flay-_z4000]

I'm losing so much speed when shifting. I dont have a quickshifter

[@HeldIntegral]

Do faster. Off throttle, clutch in, upshift, clutch out, on throttle

[@Zenofort]

You just suck at shifting then. A quickshifter only does a lot if you're on a track. No offense btw

[@NelFPS]

What mount do you use for your camera?

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Chin mounts!

[@NelFPS]

@@CloudedThoughtz heard some negative reviews like it falling off easy d/t the sticky tape that came with it. Have you had any issues with your’s?

[@CloudedThoughtz]

@@NelFPS Nothing yet!

[@rileylofin7653]

Hey man I’m 6 foot 4. And 18 looking for my first bike would the r3 fit or be too small my options are used cbr500r or r3 or ninja 500 or 650cc class sport bike

[@HeldIntegral]

650s are basically more expensive 400s. They're built like tourers so the pegs are low and the bars are high. The r3 and n500 are pretty much identical. The cbr5 is a bit heavier which is a pro (wind) and a con (speed). The r3 is definitely the most cramped of the bunch (I'm 6'1). It honestly doesn't matter. If you're old and plan on doing some interstate shid get the 650, if you're young and want to squid through town get the ninja. It's mostly a matter of budget because all 650 and under have very similar ergonomics. It's not until you ride a supersport (inline4) where the clipons get lower and the pegs get higher, putting you in that race position

[@rileylofin7653]

What would be the best budget 650 my budget is 10k for bike gear insurance and everything I plan on riding three town and just having fun and little interstate once a Month maybe not even that probably once a month what bike would I need 650 r3 or ninja 500 or cbr500r I wouldn’t buy a cbr500r new btw

[@CloudedThoughtz]

I’m 6’3 and I have no problems! It makes it real easy for me to hold up the bike so there is little chance that I drop it haha

[@MacAttck714]

Bro my shifts are WAY worse than yours and I have been literally been thinking the same thing... why are they getting worse? Im a new rider and I have a 2018 mt 07 lol

[@CloudedThoughtz]

It really do be like that 😂

[@firstname7359]

2 tips that helped me.. 1. Timing: I set out like a timed event of how I would do my inputs, first was let off the throttle, than pull clutch, than kick gear, than PROGRESSIVELY, get back on throttle and PROGRESSIVELY release clutch. Mind you all this was done in like >0.25ms of each other but when I did it I would give myself maybe double the time to get these inputs down just to get into a good rhythm. 2. Practise just the individual inputs, sometimes I found that when I pulled in on the clutch or twist throttle that I got so “quick” at it that doing it smooth wasn’t the priority anymore after getting it into muscle memory and rather just doing it as fast as possible because I thought I had it down became my biggest problem. Go back and even if it means slowing down your inputs to get achieve better consistency. Also don’t forget that even after the initial event that, you need to let off the clutch and back on to the throttle smoothly as well or the bike will jerk, massive bad habit of mine.

[@HeldIntegral]

You're going to overheat the clutch doing it that way

[@firstname7359]

@@HeldIntegral care to explain, I’m not an expert but for me it has worked well with making my shifts more seemless

[@CloudedThoughtz]

I appreciate the amount of advice hear! Thank you so much :)

[@RAILWAY_FILMS]

I can't tell how many miles are on that bike. Looks like a brand new bike. you should be keeping the rpm below 4500 for the first 600 miles and change your oil at 600 before you bring the rpms up higher than that.. if your miles are real low like it looks ( 250 early in the video ), then you have your factory oil which was intended to keep the rpm low for the first 600. So if you have not been keeping the rpm low, then it is time right now to change that oil and filter and use full synthetic Yamaha oil for that bike. you will notice a huge difference in how smooth the bike rides and shifts immediately. THEN you will want to keep the rpm below 4500 for the remainder of that 600 miles and then change the oil again.. then you can send it to the moon.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Wow! this is a great comment. I really appreciate you insight and all the information you provided! its actually really helpful thank you!

[@sriavula]

wait do u go to george mason?

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Yep

[@sriavula]

@@CloudedThoughtz yoo no way same

[@JonathanCradit-Johns]

I am 13 and I am looking for a bike for high-school and I am wondering what bike do you recommend?

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Probably this r3 if you like sport bikes…. Or the mt-03 of you like naked bikes!

[@JonathanCradit-Johns]

​@CloudedThoughtz I am so glad you said that because on another channel they said "brother you are to small for a grom(125cc)"

[@CloudedThoughtz]

@@JonathanCradit-Johns not around here!

[@HeldIntegral]

Ik a guy who's 5'6 and rides an mt03. It's a good fit. Tbh don't get anything you can't walk. Most drops happen in the driveway

[@JonathanCradit-Johns]

@HeldIntegral thank you I have been thinking and I might just go electric like a used surron

[@Dawn-je6ek]

Beginner but on a t shirt and not stopping completely for a stop sign . You are calling your death real soon like this buddy . Stop worrying about the exhaust get a proper gear and learn to stop at the stop sign . Car drivers won't get hurt at low speed . But you will either get your bone sticking out or skin grafted from sanding your skin to the road . It's word of advice you should take it seriously

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Hey man I appreciate the concern and the advice! But I do wear gear. I always wear helmet, gloves, jeans, and shoes. But when it’s 90 degrees outside I just can’t wear any type of jacket or anything more than a sweatshirt for a few like before I start burning up… just how it is right now

[@charalamposalexiadis]

I am from Greece.i see you when you parking the Moto.you don't loket the steering wheel with the key.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Yea sometimes I do lock it and sometimes I don’t 🤷‍♂️

[@cocu9365]

Seems like you’re short shifting bro. Sitting at 6k-7k rpms or 8k is safe once you know you’re gonna be accelerating and going past 7-8k shift once you’re past that or at 7-8k

[@cocu9365]

Adjust your gear shifter to your liking as well, the gap under shouldn’t be huge and your foot shouldn’t have to bend all the way up just to be above the shifter either. Get some boots if you don’t the feel much better than shoes for shifting too

[@cocu9365]

Also just so it makes more sense shifting up needs rpms to decrease since you’re short shifting your rpms are already at their low point so the moment you roll back on you’re kinda just feeding rpms before everything is good kinda like a mini clutch dump. And for shifting down the rpms need to be higher for the downshift that’s why rev matching down requires you to blip the throttle

[@CloudedThoughtz]

wow! thank you for all the information! i really appreciate it :) This was very helpful

[@cocu9365]

@@CloudedThoughtz im a new rider myself so i went through the same issues as you have so far lol. So i kinda get whats going on and learned from it. Look into body position for leaning, trail braking for curves, engine braking, rev matching and overall just keep trying to learn stuff. There's always something new to learn and practice with every ride which is what keeps me coming back to the bike daily

[@TheJakeyPoo]

its all apart of being a noobie!

[@Tyresong]

2 Gallons and under $7... you realise that is 1/4 what we pay in New Zealand? here it's $3 per Liter, and there's 3.9liters in a US Gallon (not sure on the size of a UK gallon) but there are only 3 countries in the entire would that use Gallons, so 90% of the planet has no clue what a Gallon is anyway!

[@CloudedThoughtz]

Yea is crazy! I feels bad for yall in EU with the price of oil :(

[@tototronic2]

You seem to like riding without protective gear. Please reconsider this practice. You are putting too much trust in the skill of people driving cars around you. Low-speed accidents can be horrible for motorcyclists without gear.

[@CloudedThoughtz]

I always wear helmet shoes gloves and jeans. However since it’s so damn hot it’s Almost impossible to wear a jacket 😂

[@tototronic2]

@@CloudedThoughtz I completely understand. But, road rash injuries, even at low speed, are horrible... As are injuries to unprotected feet. I was out running a few months ago and tripped on uneven pavement. I fell forward on my left palm and knee and skidded to a hard stop. I tore myself up pretty badly and I was running about 6 mph! It was 90 degrees today in NY and I was riding my motorcycle with a vented leather jacket, bike jeans, proper shoes, gloves, and helmet. I care enough about myself and the people who love me to wear appropriate protective gear when I ride my motorcycle...which is every day!

[@CloudedThoughtz]

@@tototronic2 I totally respect that! And I appreciate you :)

[@annoyinggull]

@@CloudedThoughtzOne mistake, even if it isn’t yours and your life will never be the same. Feeling hot for a little while is thousands times better than the feeling of your skin being ripped off by the road.