When to change gear [timing your gear changes]

[@paulywilliams6830]

Your channel is by far the best! You’re answering every single question/doubt in my head. Thank you so much! So easy to listen to and you explain everything perfectly so it actually soaks in my head. Not an easy task for a ADHD mind 😂 thank you 👌

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Ah thank you, I'm so pleased you're finding it helpful ☺️. Thanks for letting me know 😊

[@FluffyViper]

It would be interesting to see you do the same video but on a 125 for all of us 12hp riders. 😀 I'm working my way through all your videos, about halfway now. Thanks for the lessons.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

That's a great idea, thank you ☺️. It's not much different but it would probably still be helpful as a lot of people are reluctant to use the power on 125s.

[@amiableHauke]

Thanks for this Leanna. I automatically assumed that, like in a car, it would make sense to use the gears and resulting engine braking to slow down, but I can see now why this is not a good idea on a motorcycle. Keep up the good work!

[@dom24363]

Using gears to slow won’t show brake lights to following vehicles, so risk getting rear-ended.

[@wiadroman]

I use a simple rule 1st gear up to 10mph, 2nd gear up to 20mph, 3rd gear up to 30mph... 10th gear up to 100mph.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

😂

[@BenHur872]

These are such useful, well-narated videos. Thank you

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Thanks, I'm glad you like them 😊

[@RavyDavy]

I've been driving for 25+ years, but only recently decided I'd like to try a motorcycle, so I have my CBT in a few weeks time, and just watching videos etc for hints & tips. This one was really interesting to me, especially the tip about not to let the engine to slow the bike.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Excellent. Bear in mind we do use deceleration to slow the bike first (which is effectively engine braking), but the point here is not to change down a gear specifically to show the bike. The rule is deceleraton (close throttle) then brakes to slow, then gears to match the speed we've slowed down to. Many thanks 👍🏻

[@philcaffrey]

Great video as ever Leanna. This is something I am only really properly learning after passing my test as my instructor didn't really cover this very thoroughly. Very well explained as always, and hugely helpful.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Thanks Phil.

[@desmondnaude8831]

Thanks for this VId - been very helpful - watching your clutch use closely... I need to improve my bad habits for a smoother road ride

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

You're welcome. The more focused practise we do, the better and smoother we get 👍🏻😊

[@Motorhomeadventureswithmollie]

Great advice. I went out on my first bike yesterday around my village and on a few occasions did exactly what you said ( forgetting to change down through the gears ) I was getting frustrated and wondering what was wrong with the bike when it wouldn’t go into gear 😮 Now I know why it won’t and also what to do in the future to quickly solve the problem if I forget again ( which I probably will ) I’m enjoying learning more and more each day from practicing and watching your videos is extremely helpful.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Lovely, well done for finding the solution to the issue 👍🏻 I'm glad you're finding the channel useful. Enjoy your bike 😊

[@MG-jx3xj]

Hi Leena! Thank you for your videos. Just passed my mod2, you are grate help! Amazing advice, awesome content! You have gained subscriber 4 life.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Great news, well done 👍, and thank you 😊

[@kgba17580]

hi Leanna, Another great video and very help full hope your keeping well! safe ride and stay healthy Kev

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Thanks Kev, wondered where you'd got to! I am well thanks, hope you are too ☺️

[@kgba17580]

Im good thank you Leanna, glad your ok I was hiding 🤣but always catch up on your videos 🤭i tried commenting on your short but cant send but congratulations for your 5000 subscribers 🤣@@motorcyclelessonsuk

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

@@kgba17580 ahhh thanks Kev. Good to know you're ok 😊

[@Lacehairwigs]

Very useful video

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Thank you 😊

[@axleg1254]

Thank you leanna, learnt something else.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

You're welcome 😊

[@deanroberts187]

Lots of car drivers (especially if they drive a diesel) try to use low down torque on a bike. Some bikes are happy to do that. Others need you to wind it on before changing up

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Agreed, it depends on what bike you're riding 😁

[@iansheff]

Hi Leanna how’s you? A great informative video thank you 👍🙂

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Thanks Ian

[@Craigravon]

Riding like that you would've passed your test no probs 😂🔥✌️✌️keep rockin leanne

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Thanks Craig, I would hope so 😂

[@allenglishknives6823]

Could you do some videos for more experienced riders please? Bad habits we get into, out of town/countryside riding, motorway riding? I wonder if there are loads of us “experienced” riders that still have a thing of two to learn and keep us out of trouble. Love the videos, thank you.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

I'll try to get out more for this! If you haven't yet, have a look at the ERS/Advanced playlist where I've done some demo rides ☺️

[@iansheff]

Hi Leanna, how ya keeping? Another idea for video content for you, the importance of wearing the right safety gear, helmet, gloves etc 🙂

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Thanks Ian, I'll add it to the list. I'm well thank you, hope you are too 😊

[@iansheff]

@@motorcyclelessonsuk Hi Leanna, glad you are good, I’m ok thanks 🙂

[@iansheff]

@@motorcyclelessonsuk Hi Leanna, I’ve had another idea for video content for you, making learner riders aware of emergency vehicles (running on blues & twos) and how to cope with them and what to safely do. Ps There is an agent’s fee for my ideas hahah 🙂

[@anthonygreen5160]

Thanks for this video. Really interesting. Everything you are doing there I have no bother on my Honda Shadow vt125. I also have a Hyosung Aquilla GV650 vt. It seems to have a higher speed ratio for each gear. For example to get into 2nd gear I need to be doing at least 17/18 miles mph and then 35mph into 3rd ect. As soon as it drops below that eg 32mph all you hear off the bike is judder, judder,judder. I had a Kawasaki VN900 before this and didn't have this issue. You are so lucky you have the bike that you do that doesn't have these issues. Is there something wrong with my bike? Just wondering as I've never had a Hyosung before. Got 4 years experience and keep up and go to training sessions whenever there's an available opportunity (in case you're wondering).

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Hmmm I have no idea as I've never owned or ridden a Housing, sorry. All I can say is to ride according to what your bike can cope with, provided you're happy it is mechanically sound. So if it's happier in those gears at those speeds without over revving or struggling then perhaps that is how it has been made? 🤷‍♀️ Sorry I can't be more help.

[@anthonygreen5160]

@motorcyclelessonsuk Thanks. By the way it's Hyosung not Housing (lol)

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

@@anthonygreen5160 haha damn autocorrect 😂

[@steve00alt70]

When you stop at roundabout do you quickly put it in 2nd gear right before making sharp right turn on a mid sized roundabout? Mines a 125cc

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Hi Steve, if stopped we need 1st to move off, and as soon as you've set off get it up into second so you are in a more responsive gear. Be prepared to use the clutch if the roundabout is tight so you don't run wide. Thanks 😊

[@davidtemple9553]

Hi leanna I was wondering if you could give me some advice about motorways not very often go on them I do duel carriage ways more thanks I ride a triumph sprint gt iam dave by the way 😊

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Hi Dave, try watching this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHi1Y4qCjKadgsk Enjoy 😊

[@bikersquest]

Any reason why a twin would struggle? My Inazuma 250 rides fine at 30mph in 6th. My FZ1 was fine too in 6th at 30 but I had to be more careful with it due to it's massively tall gearing but I thought twins are usually geared lower and and reach peak torque earlier so should be able to handle it easier than and inline 4.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Bigger engined twins generally don't sit well in higher gears at lower speeds, the engine struggles and there is no power left for acceleration. They do reach peak torque earlier, all the power is early on in the lower gears and that's why they don't sit well in higher gears at lower speeds.

[@RoobieRoo2]

My goodness the road surface in Nottingham are as bad as they are in Glasgow.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

😬 yes and getting worse. Apparently the council is now bankrupt so unlikely to get much better very quickly.

[@RoobieRoo2]

Ouch! I hear that it we try to avoid them it could be construed as driving without due care and attention. @@motorcyclelessonsuk

[@neilp1885]

⁠@@RoobieRoo2 first a disclaimer, I'm not a lawyer, police, etc, so this is just my opinion and not legal advice. 🙂 I think that's come from a trend for click-bait motoring articles ("drivers face huge fines for common driving mistake", etc.) which typically take some rule and exaggerate or explain it poorly. Others, often well meaning, pick these articles up and propagate the poor explanation. I've even heard of an insurance company passing this one on to their customers in a newsletter. From what I've read, there aren't any new laws or highway code rules relating to this. If you drive in a way that causes a hazard to other road users, if your driving standard falls below that expected of a competent and careful road user, or if it falls significantly below, then you could face prosecution for driving without due care and attention (careless driving) or dangerous driving. Where this comes in with poor road surfaces would be if you aren't looking and planning ahead and do things like suddenly swerving towards other vehicles, pedestrians, etc., or drive/ride in a way that makes them think you are. If you are planning ahead, making gradual adjustments to your line and/or speed, and not coming into conflict with other road users, then I wouldn't expect there to be any problem. This is more likely to be a problem for car drivers than motorbike riders due to the relative widths of the vehicles. A car moving to avoid a hole, especially on a narrow street, could well end up partly in the next lane and could be coming into conflict with other road users, whereas a bike may be able to avoid the same hole while still leaving a safe gap. However the move should still be made in a way that doesn't panic the other driver into thinking that you are swerving into their path, as that could cause a dangerous reaction from them. Remember too that hitting a hole could unsettle a bike, which itself could be hazardous. So, I'm going to be riding and driving like normal, planning ahead, making changes to my line and/or speed to avoid or at least minimise and balance the risk for all hazards (stationary ones like holes and moving ones like vehicles and people).

[@RoobieRoo2]

Yes I think it originated from an insurance letter. What you say makes absolute sense and I appreciate you taking the time. @@neilp1885

[@iulianlazar8893]

Revmatching is not an efficient way to slow down? First time i hear this…maybe you were referring to something else? Side note: yeah massive difference from 4s to parallels…i can be in 2nd at 40mph and still in eco on versys 650 (they are known to like revs) but at the same time i agree that being in a higher gear alleviates the choppiness starting to love ur vids

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

You'd need to give me a time code for specific wording used. Glad you're enjoying the channel. Rev matching isn't necessary if you're already matching your gear to your speed: under normal road riding conditions rev matching isn't usually needed.

[@mickclarke5741]

I'll try harder not to stomp those gears tomorrow.

[@motorcyclelessonsuk]

Haha, watch this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4GroJ1metOqaZo See you tomorrow 😊