Clutch slipping on downshift?

6275 Views 18 Replies 11 Participants Last post by banana.logic, Jun 6, 2011

somebody5788

Discussion Starter · May 18, 2011

I don't think it should be doing this... I downshifted to first gear at about 15 mph and it shuttered badly so I pulled the clutch back in. It's done this twice now. Should I take it in for warranty or could it still be breaking in?

Bike has 181 miles no other problems that I'm aware of.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Luke

· #2 · May 18, 2011

Hi:

(if you're an experienced rider and I misunderstood what you were trying to say, apologies up front)

15mph is sorta fast for first gear, especially on the CBR250 where the first couple of gears are kind of low. If you were coasting at 15 with the engine at idle and let the clutch out I would expect some shuddering. To avoid it, throttle the engine up before easing the clutch out..

Clutch slipping is usually most noticable in high torque loads - e.g. rolling on the throttle in 3rd gear from, say 2000 rpm.

All that having been said, just noted that your Audi probably has a straight drive - if that's true, then you already know what i said, so take it to the dealer and show him.

Luke

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somebody5788

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 18, 2011

Luke said:
Hi:

(if you're an experienced rider and I misunderstood what you were trying to say, apologies up front)

15mph is sorta fast for first gear, especially on the CBR250 where the first couple of gears are kind of low. If you were coasting at 15 with the engine at idle and let the clutch out I would expect some shuddering. To avoid it, throttle the engine up before easing the clutch out..

Clutch slipping is usually most noticable in high torque loads - e.g. rolling on the throttle in 3rd gear from, say 2000 rpm.

All that having been said, just noted that your Audi probably has a straight drive - if that's true, then you already know what i said, so take it to the dealer and show him.

Luke

I just did it like I do the other gears, I def try to rev match on down shifts like I do in the Audi.

Just felt like the little engine shouldn't be enough resistance to ever make a clutch slip on a downshift. Though the RX-8 I used to have would engine brake so hard the tires would "lock up" or act like it if you know what I mean.

somebody5788

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 18, 2011

I'll add that every time I am downshifting it only because I will need the gear for the turn I am about to make. Most of the time it's at 3-5k RPM's when the down shift is complete.

Night_rider

· #5 · May 18, 2011

I usually dont rev match 1st.. kinda of pointless i my sense, but 15mph does seem a tad fast. and even though these little buggers to rev high, just take it to the dealer and see what they can do about it,

mellow

· #6 · May 18, 2011

i dont let the clutch out in 1st unless i hit under 12mph

JERSEY CBR

· #7 · May 18, 2011

15mph ,for this bike,thats your problem.......

88andstillriding

· #8 · May 22, 2011

Clearly user error. I suggest some lessons.

88

Boonty

· #9 · May 22, 2011

88andstillriding said:
Clearly user error. I suggest some lessons.

88

Dont you have to do a course or anything in the states befor you are allowed ride a motrbike?

madd-trapper

· #10 · May 22, 2011

Nope. You can actually take your test on a 150cc scooter and then go and buy yourself a 600cc super bike. Thats why theres no shortage of high performance parts bikes, only wrecked once!

Boonty

· #11 · May 22, 2011

madd-trapper said:
Nope. You can actually take your test on a 150cc scooter and then go and buy yourself a 600cc super bike. Thats why theres no shortage of high performance parts bikes, only wrecked once!

Crazy!..in Aus you have to do a 2 x 1/2 day course then if you pass you are restricted to 250cc while on you L's and P's. for most people this will be a bout 3 years unless your over 30

madd-trapper

· #12 · May 22, 2011

Here in Illinois I believe you have to be 18 at least to ride over a 150cc bike. I think thre should be a time frame before you can move up. Its crazy here that new riders buy a super sport or Harley there first year or two. There are actually more big cruiser crashes that Ive seen. Mr Yuppie goes out and buys the biggest, expensive chrome laden land yacht so he can show off to his friends while he rides it on Sundays. I see this first hand.

Dave101

· #13 · May 22, 2011

After reading the beginning of this thread I started thinking about engine braking. When liesurely city riding are the brakes only neccessary when you want to stop completly? I imagine engine braking would be good the way the bike is laid out compared to a free spinning high rpm sport engine.

Any comments on your experience with engine braking from someone that has been fortunate enough to have ridden or own one?

somebody5788

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 22, 2011

It was actually the tire screeching turns out. I don't need to get lessons for that........ I was used to my friends 400EX, 2 tires meant I could do that on the street. Make mistake, learn from it, move on. Way better then anything anyone can teach you.

As for what Dave is saying, I always down shift until I hit 2nd (now I go to neutral from 2nd until around 5 mph)

I do this for a couple reasons, not only just to slow down but also so that I can keep track of the gears I am in w/o keeping a head count on it at all times.

madd-trapper

· #15 · May 22, 2011

I think a basic or advanced motorcycle safety class would always be a good thing.

somebody5788

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 22, 2011

madd-trapper said:
I think a basic or advanced motorcycle safety class would always be a good thing.

I was eventually going to take the one that gets you certified for the license rather then just try to get it at the dmv. I'm told it's 100x easier. I have like 10 people at home giving me constant tips anyways though, learned a few things like if you turn the handle half a degree in the opposite direction of your turn it helps you lean the bike faster into the turn you are going into (helped me a ton for linking turns on curvy roads)

madd-trapper

· #17 · May 22, 2011

Talkin about counter steering, very important. My wifes takin that course too. Its a 3 day course, 6-8 hrs a day. After you pass they give you a certificate that you take to the DMV and just pick up your new license. Its free too. I was supposed to take the advanced class but was still to messed up after gettin hit by a car, plus it was raining and cold out.
Wish'd I wouldve taken the course when I first started out, wouldve saved me some road rash.
And for some wierd reason Liberty Mutual insurance gives you only a whoppin one dollar safety course discount.

DaSik

· #18 · May 23, 2011

somebody5788 said:
I don't think it should be doing this... I downshifted to first gear at about 15 mph and it shuttered badly so I pulled the clutch back in. It's done this twice now. Should I take it in for warranty or could it still be breaking in?

Bike has 181 miles no other problems that I'm aware of.

Time for a slipper clutch amigo

banana.logic

· #19 · Jun 6, 2011

somebody5788 said:
I was eventually going to take the one that gets you certified for the license rather then just try to get it at the dmv. I'm told it's 100x easier. I have like 10 people at home giving me constant tips anyways though, learned a few things like if you turn the handle half a degree in the opposite direction of your turn it helps you lean the bike faster into the turn you are going into (helped me a ton for linking turns on curvy roads)

This isn't exactly advice, you physically can't turn the bike without doing this over a certain speed (15-20kph maybe, I can't remember). You will have been doing it anyway before you got the 'advice', otherwise you wouldn't have been turning.

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