What is blipping and when should you do it?
To look cool sitting at a stop light?
In short, you blip the throttle to make your down shifts smoother by matching (or as close as possible) the revs of the engine and tranny. So that when you release the clutch, there isn't a big difference in revs for the engine to catch up.
Blipping is mostly done with braking at the same time. If done properly, it'll prevent the back wheel from locking up under heavy braking and downshifting, especially in the lower gears.
Blipping is better for the powertrain. When it's done properly, you'll be a smoother rider. There's also the advantage that you can get back on the power sooner because you can release you clutch quicker.
Blipping requires a lot of practice to master....Do it when they aren't any cars infront of you. If you release the clutch too soon, it jerks you forward. Release it too late and it has no effect.
Argh, I can't get this quite right. After blipping, I barely even release the clutch before I have to pull it in again to gear down and blip again. Sometimes I don't even get to release the clutch because I'm trying to slow down quickly. Am I just not doing it fast enough? What am I doing wrong?
You can look at this a couple of ways. Since the motorcycle is a smaller, lighter engine, than a car that is, you would be downshifting quicker.
On the other hand, from what you're saying, it may be your RPM's are already quite low, so you don't have to blip; just release the clutch slowly.
You may also want to try down shifting when the RPMs are at a higher level, or you can also try shifting down two gears. But be really careful with this second option, it's a sure fire way to perform a tank slapper.
kagan-Fu Wrote:On the other hand, from what you're saying, it may be your RPM's are already quite low, so you don't have to blip; just release the clutch slowly.
kagan is right. You don't really need to blip at all when down shifting. Just let out the clutch slowly. Only time I find I like to blip is when I go from second to first to slow down. If I don't, the engine makes a real funny sounds as if its about to die. Now that I am use to blipping, I try to do it most of the time.
kagan-Fu Wrote:You may also want to try down shifting when the RPMs are at a higher level, or you can also try shifting down two gears. But be really careful with this second option, it's a sure fire way to perform a tank slapper.
Not sure what you meant by a higher level. If the rpm is close to the red line, you should not be down shifting. If the rpm is low, then you could down shift 2 gears, but you should first learn about speed range for each gear as not to blow your engine.
hunny Wrote:Argh, I can't get this quite right. After blipping, I barely even release the clutch before I have to pull it in again to gear down and blip again. Sometimes I don't even get to release the clutch because I'm trying to slow down quickly. Am I just not doing it fast enough? What am I doing wrong?
It takes time...I was frustrated when I first started. I would try it, then stop for a day and try again the next day. Don't give up. Your body and mind need some time to get in sync with each other.
Once you get the timing correct for the first couple of blips, it becomes a lot easier to do and you will do it more often.
When you first start learning to blip, you need to think about it before you slow down. It's too late when you slowing down and decided you want to blip because you are already thinking of too many thiings.
Eventually, you will get better and it become a reflex to blip when slowing down.
You might also want to learn 2 finger clutching, it helped me with blipping. Don't try blipping the same time you're learning the 2 finger clutching. First get comfortable with the 2 finger clutching, then try blipping afterwards.
If you don't want to do 2 finger clutching, you should find the engine engagement point on the clutch lever. When you shifting gears, you don't need to pull the clutch lever all the way in. All you need to do, just pass the engagement point then let it out again after shifting gear.
hunny Wrote:Argh, I can't get this quite right. After blipping, I barely even release the clutch before I have to pull it in again to gear down and blip again. Sometimes I don't even get to release the clutch because I'm trying to slow down quickly. Am I just not doing it fast enough? What am I doing wrong?
Sounds like you're not doing it quick enough (especially on releasing the clutch) and probably not blipping it quite enough. You're probably used to releasing the clutch slowly (for smoothness) on downshifts without blipping. For blipping, you'll have to let out your clutch quickly (think as quickly as you can).
Blipping in sequence (slow motion) goes like this:
1 squeeze clutch in
2 blip
3 downshift
4 release clutch
1 to 4 should be done simultaneously (in order of sequence though). Try giving it a little more gas if you find the rpm being too low when you get to 4. Practice more and you'll find the time to complete 1 to 4 shortens and hence the amount of blip lessens.
The amount of blip required widely depends on many, many factors such as, gear ratio between gears, type of engine, amount of braking, skill (i.e. time required to go through 1 to 4). It sounds complicated but it'll become natural with more practice.
As a general guideline, you're trying to match the engine speed to the road speed (hence transmission speed at the next gear down) after the downshift.
Thanks, will give it a try. Also, what is a good RPM range to gear down at? My manual uses km/h speed as a guideline for when to gear down to which gear.
I was riding a cruiser on a demo ride and try to blip the throttle and gear down. Couldn't do it. Does cruisers riders every blip there throttle to gear down?
Apex Wrote:I was riding a cruiser on a demo ride and try to blip the throttle and gear down. Couldn't do it. Does cruisers riders every blip there throttle to gear down?
I would think so. Just like standard cars, you need to blip so the RPMS match the gear speed.
kagan-Fu Wrote:Apex Wrote:I was riding a cruiser on a demo ride and try to blip the throttle and gear down. Couldn't do it. Does cruisers riders every blip there throttle to gear down?
I would think so. Just like standard cars, you need to blip so the RPMS match the gear speed.
Being driving standard cars for 20 years and didn't know blipping, till I started riding. lol
Even now, I don't blip when I borrow my brother's car.
I almost have the same number of years under my belt (old timer
, :pokeit
, and blipping was one of the first things I learned. It really makes for a smooth ride.
I love it when I hit the RPMs perfectly.
Man! You guys are old.
I learned how to heel-toe after a couple of years driving standard. Since then I've been driving like that religiously.
I practiced the blipping thing on a bike in the M1 Exit course and got a thumb-up from the instructor. I must've over-revved the poor little two stroke (sorry, no tach).