When downshifting on a motorcycle is it possible to put in neutral to save on the extra wear and tear of the gears rather than go down each gear according to your speed? I mean like when I‘m driving my car instead of downshifting from say 5th to 4th gear I put it in neutral and just put it in whatever gear I need when I know what speed I‘m gonna be doing at that moment like say 3rd gear or what not. Plus when first riding a motorcycle what‘s the hardest thing to learn to do when riding one? Like say a deer jumps out in front of you when your riding. How do you keep from flying over your handle bars if you gotta come to a abrupt stop? Thanks in advance for all who answer.
Motorcycles aren't Dangerous. They don't jump out and bite you, like a snake! Accident rates are Much lower than cars. Who told you this is full of it. It's just that, when a bike Does get into an accident, there is much greater % of severe injury or death. It is usually the idiot cage drivers that hit the bike. A good motosicklist is very defensive, slightly paranoid or they don't ride long. That's why so many nice bikes are for sale with few miles, people chicken out. You have to pretend you are the invisible man. Signal, Sure, but don't expect that idiot cage driver to notice, Or Care. Cars Do See motorcycles. To say they didn't see you is a Lie. They don't take notice, like a Mac Truck. Get a loud horn and loud pipes. People hear a truck horn, they Stop. No, only in the first rain is weather a problem. After oil has washed off, they grip the pavement even Better. A real high wind and a light bike will; be a problem, of course. But, I've been in a 2009 Hyundai and almost sucked off the road by trucks or wind thru the pass at Texas Canyon. And, they weigh 2000 lbs!
on a long slowing, I drop gear to gear as I lose speed, releasing the clutch each time and allowing the motor to slow me. On a more rapid slowing, I pull in the clutch, and kick it down thru the gear equal to the speed, but don't let the clutch back out, that way if the light suddenly changes to green, or the traffic clears, I can just ease the clutch back out and roll on the throttle and go, without having to search for the right gear But like I said this is for a more rapid slowing. It's not a good idea to drop down to neutral like that. It can damage the tranny, the shifter forks etc and if you suddenly need to accelerate, how are you going to find the right gear for your speed quickly? It's not only hard on a tranny, but embarrassing as all get out to drop it into the wrong gear and try to go. As for handling an object in front of you, slow and steer around it. The last thing you want to do is lock up that rear tire, this leads to loss of control for all but the more experienced riders. You'd be amazed at how quickly an experienced rider can bring a motorcycle to a complete and controlled stop with the proper use of front and rear brakes. You'd also be amazed at how many in-experienced riders lock up the rear brake and lay the bike down, or lock up the front brake and crash. It takes time, and practice to remain safe on these inherently dangerous bikes.
1) Take the MSF course! Would you try to solo an airplane without having taken lessons first? 2) Budget for some safety gear. You don't have to spend huge bucks to get good, new gear. Helmet $100, Gloves$25 for summer gloves or $40 for winter, Jacket $150 with armor, boots $40-$100 and you can use better hiking boots. After you've been riding a couple of months you'll have a list of other gear you'll want. 3) Keep learning and practicing. Read the moto mags, like Motorcyclist, Cycle World, Two Wheels Only (props to the Britmags!). Not the TA rags. Learning doesn't stop until after Death, which can happen from not learning. 4) I don't know what side of motorcycling/scootering/etc. you're attracted to, but do remember that the street is not a race track. There are no corner workers to show you a flag for a hazard ahead, animals are not cleared from the road, people don't have to know squat about driving to get a license (and they really are out to get the biker), and the road isn't glass smooth.
