Beginner question...

• token ring

  5 Dec 01, 02:18

  Thanks to driving and riding a skipper for the past few years, I now have some doubts about the very basic techniques of riding a normal bike... pls help me!
  
  1]when moving off, do you guys eventually release the clutch fully in 1st gear or play half clutch and switch to 2nd gear ASAP?
  
  2]in carparks where there are lots of humps, if the speed is too slow for 2nd gear, do you use 1st gear with clutch fully released or use the half-clutch/freewheel/half-clutch/freewheel method?
  
  3]what is your bike telling you if, when switching from 1st gear to 2nd, it is too easy to get engaged in neutral gear? Izzit time for engine oil change or something else?
  
  I really want to try to maintain my bike in tip-top condition so I'm concerned that if I use the wrong techniques, I may cause uneccessary wear-n-tear and prematured damage to the machine
  
  Thanks!
• ah_tee

  5 Dec 01, 02:40

  Originally posted by token ring:

  Thanks to driving and riding a skipper for the past few years, I now have some doubts about the very basic techniques of riding a normal bike... pls help me!
  
  1]when moving off, do you guys eventually release the clutch fully in 1st gear or play half clutch and switch to 2nd gear ASAP?
  
  2]in carparks where there are lots of humps, if the speed is too slow for 2nd gear, do you use 1st gear with clutch fully released or use the half-clutch/freewheel/half-clutch/freewheel method?
  
  3]what is your bike telling you if, when switching from 1st gear to 2nd, it is too easy to get engaged in neutral gear? Izzit time for engine oil change or something else?
  
  I really want to try to maintain my bike in tip-top condition so I'm concerned that if I use the wrong techniques, I may cause uneccessary wear-n-tear and prematured damage to the machine
  
  Thanks!

  1) i usaully get the pointing point, turn throttle n throw clutch, but wif pillion, i tend to half clutch more for the power
  
  2) its all up to u wad u r comfortable wif, i usaully half clutch or maybe 1/4 clutch when moving n clutch in over humps...n i thought skipper dun haf clutchs?
  
  3) it is tellin u to kick harder or maybe toghten ur chain?
  
  just remeber, wear n tear comes in alot when u abuse ur machine..
• hello_fromjoel

  5 Dec 01, 08:49

  
  1]play half clutch and switch to 2nd gear better lah , at least this is what the driving sch teaches you.
  First gear even for car , it cause pick up to be quite slow and engine to drag. May be dangerous if it cause other vehicles behind to slow and avoid you.
  
  2]
  
  Don't know if correct leh. But i get alot of headache ( or rather heartache) at NUS and ECP bcos of the numerous humps.
  Tend to shift down to 2nd gear leh, won't be to slow for 2nd gear one.
  
  But if you are really super slow ( for e.g going down basement carpark) with both Hump + slope. Then suggestion is you full release down slope, clutch in over the hump then half clutch, move off then change up gear
  
  3] Ya kick up harder or check chain.
  Errr, i not only learning from frens , mechanic but also learning from books. Think it is funnest if you service your bike yourself.
  
  
• token ring

  5 Dec 01, 15:42

  Thanks guys for replying,
  
  >>...n i thought skipper dun haf clutchs?
  
  exactly, skipper no clutch, no gear, full auto, easy and comfortable but ultimately bad for a true biker
  
  >>won't be to slow for 2nd gear one.
  
  use to be ok when i was riding tzr or extrema, but now bike 400cc, i use 1st gear full release clutch is like 2nd gear for small bikes liao, if i use 2nd gear, the speed is too fast for humps lor
  
  >>it is tellin u to kick harder or maybe toghten ur chain?
  
  sometimes i kick softly also can? and my bike is shaft driven, no chain