DownShifting GW Trike

[Hocky]

Was told recently that downshifting a GW 1800, especially a trike, was hard on the clutch & tranny? Thoughts please .............. Thx

[rhino 2]

Whats the alternative......At some point you gotta downshift....
My opinion...Dontworryaboutit......

[OLD DAWG]

My mechanic at Trike Shop Daytona says

" Ride it Like You Stole It "

Interpet as you please

[G.W. Viper]

Was told recently that downshifting a GW 1800, especially a trike, was hard on the clutch & tranny? Thoughts please .............. Thx

That sounds totally ridiculous........Thats like saying stop walking cause its hard on your knees....

[Gold Rush]

Was told recently that downshifting a GW 1800, especially a trike, was hard on the clutch & tranny? Thoughts please .............. Thx

IMHO -- There is a certain amount of rational thinking that must go into this. Yes the trike adds some stress to the drive train (especially the transmission) but not enough to damage it unless you constantly jam the gears from 75 mph until you get stopped... I don't know a single soul that does that. If you abuse it then the odds of failure increase - pure and simple. Down shifting from reasonable speeds to the next lower gear is not abuse!!

[mhgoldwing]

Running the Arkansas twisties I am always going up or coming down, seldom seeing 5th gear. Been doing this on this trike now for 50K miles and no problems. Includes trips to the Rockies, Smokies and Deals Gap. I'll let you know when it breaks. (knocking on wood!)

Done correctly I don't think downshifting is any greater issue than upshifting.

[tfdeputydawg]

Heard that myth years ago! I always downshift, every bike/trike I've owned. Never caused any problems w/clutch or tranny.

[Hocky]

Well folks, looks to me that "normal" use of the gears on a GW is what's correct! Here's a response with rational thinking from a Honda Tech who has over 30 years experience."As many have said downshifting is hard on the drive train causing loads that can wear down components at an accelerated rate. When race bikes downshift to help slow them they blip the throttle to bring the engine speed up to the clutch speed, on every downshift. It's ok to downshift from 5th to fourth then to third in an emergency quick stop, but never to second and never to first with the clutch engaged. That's the worst. Just coast down using the brakes and clutch disengaged. Downshift the gears as you roll to a stop then shift into first as you come to a stop. Hold that until the car behind you stops just in case you need to move out of the way. Leave a car length space in front of you for moving room. If at a long light or train track, shift to neutral and let the clutch lever out. This keeps the clutch plates engaged and running cooler." I'm going with this particular explanation.

This is about experience/education, not to erupt a right/wrong opinion, more than enough of that crap in the POTUS election, accept it or not, we all have our reasoning.

Thanks everyone for the discussion!

[Dude]

Well folks, looks to me that "normal" use of the gears on a GW is what's correct! Here's a response with rational thinking from a Honda Tech who has over 30 years experience."As many have said downshifting is hard on the drive train causing loads that can wear down components at an accelerated rate. When race bikes downshift to help slow them they blip the throttle to bring the engine speed up to the clutch speed, on every downshift. It's ok to downshift from 5th to fourth then to third in an emergency quick stop, but never to second and never to first with the clutch engaged. That's the worst. Just coast down using the brakes and clutch disengaged. Downshift the gears as you roll to a stop then shift into first as you come to a stop. Hold that until the car behind you stops just in case you need to move out of the way. Leave a car length space in front of you for moving room. If at a long light or train track, shift to neutral and let the clutch lever out. This keeps the clutch plates engaged and running cooler." I'm going with this particular explanation.

This is about experience/education, not to erupt a right/wrong opinion, more than enough of that crap in the POTUS election, accept it or not, we all have our reasoning.

Thanks everyone for the discussion!

I am good with this other than shifting into neutral at a long light.

Stop lights are always my worst fear, you need to be able to get out of there quick if someone does not stop and I don't want to worry about putting it in gear and just because the car behind you stopped does not mean one can't hit it and drive it into you.

[FRR]

I can only say I have down shifted every bike I ever owned and that includes 9 Wings, 7 Harleys, a Yamaha, and several other Honda models and have never had a bit of trouble. One piece of advise; do NOT let a Wing role backwards and stop it by letting the clutch out, instead of using the hand brake, especially if it is rolling very fast. But that is a topic for another time.

[Hocky]

I am good with this other than shifting into neutral at a long light. Stop lights are always my worst fear, you need to be able to get out of there quick if someone does not stop and I don't want to worry about putting it in gear and just because the car behind you stopped does not mean one can't hit it and drive it into you.

Thx, makes sense!

[CrystalPistol]

Riding a motorcycle is all about upshifting and downshifting".

Every "up" will require a "down" and "vicey-versa" at some point. If done smoothly, there will be no harm. If done poorly, harm can occur.

How does one ride a motorcycle and not downshift or upshift?

[Hocky]

Riding a motorcycle is all about upshifting and downshifting".

Every "up" will require a "down" and "vicey-versa" at some point. If done smoothly, there will be no harm. If done poorly, harm can occur.

How does one ride a motorcycle and not downshift or upshift?

Right, but the whole point is don't abuse it, b/c if you ever need to have the tranny worked on it's a major job including engine removal. That's all! Thx for responding.

[JaysGone]

As a rule I very rarely downshift or even use a clutch.

But like anyone else I do use the clutch in 1st going through neutral to second.

We all have to down shift from 4th to 3rd in normal everyday traffic.

None of my behavior has ever done any damages to a clutch or transmission.

My GoldWing does that on its own "Ghost" shifting from 4th to 3rd every now and then.

[CrystalPistol]

Maybe I'm looking at your post wrong .... but seems you asked about down shifting?

Was told recently that downshifting a GW 1800, especially a trike, was hard on the clutch & tranny? Thoughts please .............. Thx

At least, that was what I responded to.

Anyway ..... it's all good ... Take Care!

[Hocky]

I'm no one to school anyone. Just sharing info. Been riding over 50 years like alot of you but I'm always open to continuing education. I seem to learn something every time I share with another motorcyclist. Yep, It's all good.

[M2102]

when I start to "coast" to a stop or reduce speed for town limits, I keep a little throttle as I coast in gear and try and match ground speed to the gear I want to down shift to. when I get it right I can't tell that it is in next gear. I think it helps to reduce the stress, if you will, of down shifting and engaging the clutch and getting a little jerking feeling. I practice doing this and it gives a seamless feel to down shifting.

[bikerbillone]

My mechanic at Trike Shop Daytona says

" Ride it Like You Stole It "

Interpet as you please

Yep, ole Dan knows his conversions, he's probably done too many to count.

[Burnerboy]

I have downshifted every bike I ever owned.never a problem

Ronnie

[Shimpy]

My mechanic at Trike Shop Daytona says" Ride it Like You Stole It "

Of course he would, his business is fixing them. Now ride it like you own it and you'll be a little more gentle on the trans and clutch. Downshifting is fine to bring the speeds down without having the engine screaming at every downshift.