| Author | Message | ||
     Schmitty |
I've read in other posts that you're not supposed to blip the throttle on a Buell, so what is the best way to downshift a Buell on the track to avoid rear wheel lockup? How can you match the engine to the rear wheel without blipping the throttle? What about upshifting? Can you do clutchless upshifts on one of these machines? Thanks for the advice, Schmitty | ||
| Kootenay |
I think the warning against throttle blipping is aimed at startup and idling. I blip my throttle during downshifts all the time--I've always done so, but on the Buell it's even more important than on the I4s I used to ride. No problems with plug fouling or anything like that (knock on wood). I've upshifted a few times without the clutch, but I don't really like doing that--again, I think the high rotating mass in the engine is the issue. It seems a bit "clunkier" than many other bikes I've ridden (although I seldom did clutchless upshifts with them, either). | ||
| Surveyor |
You can do clutchless up shifts but I think a quick shifter would be kinder to your transmission. I don't believe you can downshift at race speeds without blipping the throttle unless you are into big rear end slides. I think you need to be a pretty good rider to see the benefit of clutchless changes or a quickshifter. Quickshifters can be troublesome bast***s too as they can cause misfires and all sorts of problems especially if they get a knock. I'm not sure if you can get one for a Buell as the only one I'm familiar with works with a Power Commander. | ||
| Blake |
Yes, the warning against throttle blipping applies only to cold engines after startup. Otherwise, blip away.  | ||
| Brupska |
I always blip the throttle on all downshifts. With a Buell I was getting rear wheel slides with just a litte engine braking on my first time I got my knee down. All I did was let out a little on the throttle in 3rd gear in the middle of a turn and I had a rear wheel slide. As for clutchless upshifts. I fan the clutch on upshifts. I have done clutchless ones but with the high engine rpms the bike seemed to jump and upset the chassis. When I shift I don't even let off of the throttle when I hit the clutch. That is only on the track though. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I rev it a little on every downshift as well, its just a good practice to do in my opinion. I've never had a problem. | ||
| Slaughter |
Ditto - most downshifting requires RPM matching if you're not lugging the engine. If I'm at 7300-7500 RPM and downshifting at about 125-130mph (about what the setup is for T9 at WSIR - I can only guess the speed) - you BET I'm gonna blippit! | ||
| Steve899 |
Hi Ben, thought I would add my two cents, Like the other guys have stated, blipping the throttle works for down shifts.I use a different approach, I down shift one or two gears and I ease out the clutch smoothly but quickly. I learned this method when I started Roadracing in 2002, granted these where I4 600's, but I have used it on my 2005 XB12R and it works fine for me on the street. On the race track this method may not work, but on the street it works fine. |
