Finding the Friction Zone in First Gear

Finding the Friction Zone in First Gear

by Deirdre
(PA)

I keep stalling when letting go of the clutch after coming to a complete stop. Am I letting go of the clutch too fast and not enough throttle. Help!!! Other than that I'm comfortable riding. I just dread coming to a complete stop. Any practice suggestions?

Comments for
Finding the Friction Zone in First Gear

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 24, 2009

Friction Zone
by: Jesse

I agree with Rene.

Sit on your bike (at home, somewhere away from traffic) and very slowly release your clutch while in first gear. DO NOT RELEASE ALL THE WAY. Wait until you feel the bike start to pull just a little bit. This is your friction zone.

Repeat this a couple of times until you are fairly comfortable knowing where your friction zone starts.

Right where this zone hits you want to give it a little bit of throttle.

After practicing getting to the friction zone a few times then pulling the clutch back in, move on to giving the bike a little throttle and moving down the road. I recommend going only to second gear, then stopping and starting over again.

DO NOT resort to just giving the bike more gas. You need to be comfortable with finding your bike's friction zone so that you are not just riding around town, gassing the heck out of your bike because you can't change gears properly. It's not safe and frankly, I prefer that women on bikes keep in mind that they represent other women on bikes. :)

I've taught multiple people to ride and I always start them out in the yard. I ask that they walk the bike across the yard (both feet actually walking the bike) using only first gear (catching the gear and then stopping, starting over again. Shortly after this, I move to shifting up to second gear and stopping shortly after you hit second, starting over again.

One quick note: Don't downshift to first gear. 2nd-5th are ok to downshift to but 1st gear isn't comfortable to shift down to and that's just not really it's purpose. 1st gear is for starting out.

Keep in mind that the gas/clutch ratio is a give-and-take sort of thing. As you are releasing the clutch, you are slowly giving it more gas. While practicing your friction-finding exercises, you should get a feel for how much gas you need to give.

Don't be afraid/worried about stalling out. It'll happen, but you want to get that out of the way at home, not while on the road with traffic.

Hope this helps and good luck from a fellow lady rider! Ride safe!

Aug 19, 2009

Practice Getting Familair With the Zone
by: Rene L.

Hi,

Sounds like you are doing well overall. I'm a fairly new rider myself, so I can only offer something from the MSF class that might be useful. Sounds like, in addition go learning to give a bit more throttle when you are taking off from a complete stop, it might be a good idea for you to spend a little time practicing (at home) getting more familiar with your clutch friction zone. If you took the class you will probably remember that exercise from the first day on the bike. If you did not, it is just sitting on the bike practicing with the bike in 1st gear and your feet on the ground, squeezing the clutch and slowly letting it out just enough to find the friction zone that allows the bike to move slowly by just letting out the clutch. When you find it, squeeze the clutch again and then slowly let it out. If you drive a car with a clutch it is similar.

I don't think this is such an unfamiliar problem for new riders. With a bit more practice you should be fine. Also, might be a good idea to control your "oh my god, I am coming to a stop" kind of thinking, will zap your confidence. Try telling yourself that if you make a mistake, you can just correct it.

Good luck! Have fun and ride safe!!

Ren'e

Aug 18, 2009

More Throttle
by: Jacee

Give it more throttle. Anyone who has ever driven a clutch car has been told not to rev up the engine as you may blow it up. That is not true with a motorcycle (not entirely). The only caution about revving a motorcycle is to never rev it way over redline - you could blow up the engine. But I'm not talking about that kind of revving.

Here's the key: Make sure you give it plenty of gas as you let the clutch out slowly. Also, "blip" the throttle just before you take off to have a ready supply of gas for take-off.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Ask (or answer) a Question

Community

General Users Forum User Bike Pics Your Bikes Helmet Hair Bike Questions Motorcycle Advice Why Ride Motorcycle Events & Rallies Biker Rally Pics Favourite Roads Riding 2 Up Deals Gap Motorcycle Friendly Resorts

Just Ride!

Learn to Ride Best Bikes Sport/Touring Bikes New Bikes Bike Values Insurance All About Roads Great Roads Commuting Night Riding

Seeing the World

Touring Long Distances Camping Trips

Gear & Gadgets

Apparel Motorcycle Gear Helmet Stuff Motorcycle Gadgets Luggage Trailers Comfy Seats

Motorcycle Articles

Guest Articles Tips for Lowering Your Insurance Premiums Organizations Safety History Security Maintenance

womens motorcycle at Bizrate

Bizrate

Subscribe To This Site

Return to Top

Finding the Friction Zone in First Gear

Comments for Finding the Friction Zone in First Gear

Comments for
Finding the Friction Zone in First Gear