Yes, when braking on a motorcycle, it's generally recommended to pull in the clutch lever to disengage the engine from the wheels. This allows for smoother braking and helps prevent stalling as you slow down. Additionally, using both brakes—front and rear—while the clutch is pulled in enhances stability and control during the stopping process. Always practice this technique to improve your riding skills and safety.
to let following traffic know your braking (slowing down)
To kick start a motorcycle, first make sure the motorcycle is in neutral. Then turn on the key and turn the throttle while putting the foot down hard on the kick start lever. Also make sure that the clutch is also depressed. Some motorcycles will not start unless the clutch is engaged.
There is a little pedal on the left side by your foot. If you put your foot under it and raise up that will shift through the gears. You have to hold the clutch in between gears though. The clutch is usually on the left handle bar and looks like the brake. To down shift step down on the pedal while holding the clutch in.
clutch in, press down on the shift lever for first, up for 2-6
let off the throttle, clutch in, press up or down on the shift lever depending on whether you want to shift up or down, let the clutch out slowly and begin giving it gas again
you let off the gas pull the clutch in press down on the shifter or lift it up and when u hear a click slowly release the clutch and give it the gas again
Downshifting a motorcycle isn't necessary in order to stop, but it is a good habit. The best thing to do is pull in the clutch and apply both brakes to gradually slow down. While doing that, shift into first gear. This allows you to make evasive maneuvers if necessary when you are at a stop. Also, with the clutch pulled you can upshift to the proper gear if necessary (e.g. if you are in traffic and it starts to move before you come to a complete stop).
Applying the clutch while driving down a long steep slope can lead to a loss of control and increased wear on the vehicle's brakes. It disengages the engine from the wheels, removing engine braking, which is crucial for maintaining control and slowing down safely. This can result in overheating the brakes, reducing their effectiveness, and potentially leading to brake failure. Instead, it's better to use a lower gear to utilize engine braking effectively.
down shifting is not bad at all... as long as your are downshifting properly and not trying to drop more than one gear at a time or dropping a gear, popping the clutch and redlining then, it's fine... when you're slowing down, squeeze the clutch, down shift, and slowly release the clutch... if you just let it go then yes it can be bad
Shifting a motorcycle made for racing is very similar to shifting a street motorcycle. The only difference is some racing motorcycles may have a slipper clutch and/ or a quicker shifter. The common way to upshift on a track motorcycle is clutchless. To do this, when you are at the rpm range you want to shift up, you preload the shifter lever with a bit of pressure from your foot and then decrease the gas a little. It should bump into the next gear and then you proceed to pin the gas again. On down shifting, there are two techniques, and it really depends if you have a slipper clutch or not. To down shift without a slipper clutch: Pull in clutch, give momentary spurt of throttle to match theoretical rpms of next lower gear, and release the clutch quickly. Consequence of not burping throttle to next rpm is back wheel chatter while engine is forced to match rpms itself. Back wheel may even lock causing a skid. Another easier technique, commonly used by street riders, but not on the track due to it being much slower, is to let the clutch out slowly after shifting. To down shift with a slipper clutch: Pull in shift level, down shift, release shift lever. If rpms are out of whack, slipper clutch will let clutch slip until they are matched..
Is your kickstand up? Some bikes have an automatic shutoff that will not allow the bike to go if the kickstand is down.
That depends on the terms of your insurance. But as a rule the answer would be No.