GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Something freaky happened to me the other day.

On my way to work, preparing to stop to an upcoming traffic light.
Braked, squeezed clutch, and downshifted all the way to 1st from 4th, bike is still rolling - not a complete stop yet.
In the meantime, another fellow biker (heading up the opposite direction) waves.
I let go of the clutch to wave back and my GS jerked big time, grabbed clutch and everything was okay.

What did I do??  Did I let go of the clutch while on first - is that consider a no no??

Thanks!

the jerk you experienced was due to you just letting the clutch go...rather than blipping the throttle so you can match engine speed...letting go of the clutch in first is not considered a no-no, the speed just has to be appropriate...that actually applies anytime you downshift...


- alex

How fast were you going when you waved? If you were in first and only just above walking/running pace with no throttle the bike was most likely at stalling speeds.

That, OR you coped the brunt of first gear compression lockup and engine braking.

correct me if im wrong, but if you are in first and you let the clutch go you start rolling..assuming you are giving it a little gas. Your story sounded like all the times i have stalled. But if your hand was on the break then it may be a combo of you letting the clutch out too fast..and...what brembo said at the very end... Either way alwys let the clutch out slow ..one-onthousand, two-onethousand, three-onethousand. just like we learned in MSF and maybe it wont happen next time. gl.

letting go of the clutch while on first gear is not a no no BUT letting it go while preparing to stop IS.

next time that happens, wave with your right hand (use the rear brake) or acknowledge with a nod with your head, or just don't wave.

Do it the European way and nod!

sometimes its not possible to wave, so either ignore or nod.

Safety above friendliness in my book. I try not to wave to fellow bikers when I see them busy shifting or maneuvering through traffic. A nod is a safe bet though :)

I agree with the last four folks.  You're too busy to wave when accelerating and deccelerating.  All your arms and legs should be dedicated to the task.

A nod their way is all you can do and should be sufficient.  I doubt the other guy would take that as a snub.

OFFTOPIC: most Finnish streetfighter riders rise a fist. like the nazi hail, but hand in fist. did i mention hand in fist?

Quote from: Cal PriceDo it the European way and nod!

I've been doing this more and more, especially if I'm sorta busy with my hands doing something like slowing down or shifting.

What I do if I am braking and I need to waive at some other biker or some honey on the corner is, I keep my hands on the levers and IF I am done downshifting, I raise my left leg up to about chest lever and waggle my foot.  

Or if I am not done down shifting/braking, I sort of raise up and shake my butt up and down a little.  That's hot.

From the subject line, I thought this thread was going to be about me.

Safety first, nod.

Quote from: Jake DWhat I do if I am braking and I need to waive at some other biker or some honey on the corner is, I keep my hands on the levers and IF I am done downshifting, I raise my left leg up to about chest lever and waggle my foot.  

Or if I am not done down shifting/braking, I sort of raise up and shake my butt up and down a little.  That's hot.

you're a wakco!

Personally...  I like to wave too...  (TWO WHEEL POWER!)  But, if I need my hands for something else I nod or ignore...

No point in screwing up to say hi to a compatriot...  I'm sure they'll understand if you don't wave.

Although, when I ride the little Honda 90, I can wave all I want...  NO CLUTCH!  I prefer to do a giant goofy wave (rather than the under-the-bars-cool-guy-hand-gesture) when I ride that little thing.  :lol:

Quote from: hammuOFFTOPIC: most Finnish streetfighter riders rise a fist. like the nazi hail, but hand in fist. did i mention hand in fist?

Sounds like the "Black Power!" salute, here demonstrated by Jane Fonda:


It'd be humorous if white supremacists started using the "black power" salute!  

When I started riding, I'd wave at anything with wheels... a sort-of "hey, isn't this great!" kind-of wave.   It's probably a bit safer for me, now that a little of that enthusiasm has worn-off.

if i had to guess, i'd say you were going too fast for 1st gear.  severe engine brake anyone?

Hey-  I've been getting the foot recently.

Is that like getting the boot?

OK... I know...   :oops:

Thanks so much for all your replies - enjoyed reading them and having a few good laughs and grabbing some valuable info!

I've decided to take the majority of the advice and that is to "nod" to a fellow biker rather than wave (depending on the situation).

It becomes too distracting when I want to say hello when I should be concentrating on the road ahead.

I believe my speed did not match first gear when I let go of the clutch and I believe I may have let it out too fast (which caused the jerk) severe engine breaking - I suppose.

Lesson learned!

G