'Blipping' the throttle

cantdecide

So errr... I don't really do it and never have. I've always just kinda kept the throttle open a tad a released the clutch slowly until engine and gearbox revs were matched.

Having read a lot online about it have seen a few instructional videos on YT, I think when I own a big twin, I think I can't put this off any more. I tried it on a spin today with limited success. I understand the principal of what I'm trying to do but it seems like a superhuman technique to try and match the revs in a split second.

One specific occasion when I'm confused about how to use the technique is when slowing down more gently such as when you slow down entering a 60kmh speed zone- I can't see how you can use this technique when gently slowing down without serious risk of 'pogoing' the bike if you don't get your throttle position millimetre perfect... so would you do something else when not gearing down heavily??

I just can't see how you would 'blip' the throttle in anything less than entering a corner on a track day much less under normal day to day driving.

serious3

i do it match engine speed to the gear i'm changing down into, makes it smoother than just banging down the box

Boskowski

What?

Cienciano

You mightn't need to do it. I did it with my old bike (dominator, 650 single) cos the back wheel would lock up slightly for a second when you're going down through the gears. Didn't really need to do it on the bmw, but on the ducati I need to do it again.
Ideally I'd get a slipper clutch to help it but they're too expensive

ratracer

I never ever change down a gear without blipping the throttle to match the engine revs. I don't know if this is right or wrong, but I've been doing it for years and I ain't gonna change now!!

peckerhead

Me too, if I'm doing it to slow the bike in a hurry. I figure it lessens the chance of the back wheel locking, just seems intuitive.

But not "when slowing down more gently such as when you slow down entering a 60kmh speed zone" as per OP.

galwaytt

I do it on my harley all the time. ..It's just practice

Hotblack Desiato

Always do it. Makes the gearchange much smoother, less strain on gearbox and clutch, and less risk of upsetting the rear wheel on a slippery surface.

Pugzilla

Just keep practicing. I was crap at it first and now I do it without thinking.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Couldn't be arsed, and besides I like locking/sliding the rear wheel out.

cantdecide

galwaytt wrote: »

I do it on my harley all the time. ..It's just practice

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Always do it.

Pugzilla wrote: »

Just keep practicing. I was crap at it first and now I do it without thinking.

serious3 wrote: »

i do it match engine speed to the gear i'm changing down into, makes it smoother than just banging down the box

ratracer wrote: »

I never ever change down a gear without blipping the throttle to match the engine revs. I don't know if this is right or wrong, but I've been doing it for years and I ain't gonna change now!!

peckerhead wrote: »

But not "when slowing down more gently such as when you slow down entering a 60kmh speed zone" as per OP.

You consciously decide against blipping and revert to gentle clutch release/ throttle up? Even on the thread people will say they do it 'always' but at this early stage I can't see how it's viable when it appears to require phenomenal accuracy in throttle position.

Maybe people say they 'always' do it but don't mean it literally every single shift bar none?

The question is do I aspire to one day blip the throttle on literally every single downshift no matter what the circumstances?

Luka Dead Hamper wrote: »

Couldn't be arsed, and besides I like locking/sliding the rear wheel out.

/gulp

I have mixed feelings about it!!

Having ridden less than 1000 km this year I must say I can be a little intimidated by the chances of locking up the rear wheel. I think the time's come to face the 'blip' challenge...

pablo128

Blipping the throttle is easier on the running gear too. Chain, sprockets, gearbox etc. A bit of advice from me would be to blip the throttle, and when you let the throttle off, then release the clutch. Practice makes perfect.

batman_oh

cantdecide wrote: »

You consciously decide against blipping and revert to gentle clutch release/ throttle up? Even on the thread people will say they do it 'always' but at this early stage I can't see how it's viable when it appears to require phenomenal accuracy in throttle position.

Maybe people say they 'always' do it but don't mean it literally every single shift bar none?

The question is do I aspire to one day blip the throttle on literally every single downshift no matter what the circumstances?



/gulp

I have mixed feelings about it!!

Having ridden less than 1000 km this year I must say I can be a little intimidated by the chances of locking up the rear wheel. I think the time's come to face the 'blip' challenge...

The front locking is the one to be concerned about. Rear wheel is easy to control either way - just clutch it again and/or steer it if its about 5 feet out of line :pac:
I enjoy lamping the back brake myself to get a nice long slide when stopping. As for blipping you dont need to do it all the time. It's handy when you are pushing on and need to get down the gearbox fast but you can change down without it with no ill effects if just going at normal pace

Hotblack Desiato

At slow speed it's not even a blip but just keeping a tiny bit of throttle on when pulling the clutch in does the trick.

Vikings

If you've been riding without issue for however long you have been riding why change it up now? Stick to what you know. It won't get you from A to B any faster or slower, it won't have any significant effect on any consumables on your bike so what's the big deal? Once you are comfortable riding your own ride then so be it.

inchiuvatu

the only times i get a good result from blipping the throttle is when im going fast and coming down the gears into a bend or corner spiritedly (within speed limits blah-di-blah).
if im just pottering along and am slowing down i just release the clutch slowly as i find you dont really need to do any more..

whoami1

I always blip when changing down. I did it on the first day I rode a bike on the road and I still do it today, although I can't remember whether it's something I was told I should do by my Dad (former road-racer) or something I picked up from watching racing. It's easier on the bike.

Getting it absolutely spot-on also makes it sound good! This was especially the case on my old 350 twin. It's almost a sensuous experience.