How To Match Rev Downshift A Motorcycle: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

Home » How To Downshift On Motorcycle » How To Match Rev Downshift A Motorcycle: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle PDF download Download Article Explore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Reviewed by Jason Shackelford

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 Approved

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This article was reviewed by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 91% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 292,346 times.

Downshifting a motorcycle can be accomplished in several ways. First, you can simply pop it down a gear without using the clutch by putting a little pressure on the shifter and closing the throttle. This method is not particularly recommended as it is hard on the bike. Second, you can pull the clutch in, select the next gear, then let the clutch out slowly to smooth the transition. Perhaps the best method, though, is the matched rev downshift method described below.

Things You Should Know

  • Use your index and middle fingers to brake while keeping your ring and pinky fingers on the throttle.
  • Pull in the clutch and select the next gear.
  • Still holding the clutch in, use the palm of your hand and/or your ring and pinky fingers to rev the engine slightly.
  • Let the clutch back out to engage the next gear.

Steps

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle 1 You will have to be used to using the front brake with only one or two fingers in order to downshift this way. It is best to use your index and middle fingers to brake while keeping your ring and pinky fingers on the throttle.[1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle 2 After you begin braking, pull in the clutch and select the next gear like you would normally. Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle 3 Here is the tricky part. Still holding the clutch in, use the palm of your hand and/or your ring and pinky fingers to rev the engine slightly.[2]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle 4 Remember to keep braking smoothly with your index and middle fingers.[3]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle 5 When the engine is revved up slightly, let the clutch back out to engage the next gear. The goal here is to match the revolutions of the engine to what they need to be to travel the same speed in the lower gear. This smooths the transition between gears and eliminates the need to slip the clutch quite as much.[4]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle 6 If the bike jerks forward when you let the clutch out the engine was turning too fast. Don't rev it as much next time.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle 7 If the bike rapidly slows, the engine wasn't turning fast enough so you need to rev it more before releasing the clutch.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle 8 Repeat each time you shift down a gear. This technique is especially useful in the lower gears, which generally have a wider gap between gear ratios.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Match Rev Downshift a Motorcycle 9 Finished.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question Do you have to brake while rev matching, or can you rev match without brake? Community Answer Community Answer Yes you can do it without braking, no matter why you're going down a gear, blip the throttle. If you're coming to a stop or slowing down, always use at least a little brake just so people behind see your brake light so they know what you are doing. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 26
  • Question Do dirt bikes have to rev match too? CrayFish715 CrayFish715 Community Answer No, not really. Rev matching is a performance riding technique, so you don't have to do it on any bike. It's tricky to do rev matching on a dirt bike as they are single cylinder, and the power doesn't come on and off gently. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 7 Helpful 8
  • Question Does it spoil the bike if one downshifts too fast while slowing down? Community Answer Community Answer No, but you'll get engine braking, which is when the bike is trying to go faster than the selected gear will allow. It's likely to throw you forward a bit depending on the speed and the gear, so if you drop into a particularly low gear at a high speed it can be quite dangerous. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 11
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Video

Tips

  • Practice makes perfect. If you don't get this right away, keep trying, eventually it becomes second nature. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
  • If you are just learning to ride, I would recommend learning to brake with two fingers, but not worrying about this method of downshifting until you are more comfortable on the bike. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Find an empty lot or road with little traffic when first learning this technique, or any other new maneuver on a motorcycle for that matter. Thanks Helpful 29 Not Helpful 3
  • Do not practice shifting techniques while turning, if you cause the bike to jerk during the shift you could throw yourself out of balance and potentially crash. It's best to practice while going straight and level. Thanks Helpful 32 Not Helpful 6
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References

  1. ↑ https://drivingfast.net/rev-matching-for-motorcycle-riders/
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3mans3ZsMo
  3. ↑ https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle-shifting-tips/
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDLWmzomvZA
  5. https://www.ridinginthezone.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-throttle-blipping/

About This Article

Jason Shackelford Reviewed by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician This article was reviewed by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 292,346 times. 147 votes - 91% Co-authors: 14 Updated: October 25, 2022 Views: 292,346 Categories: Motorcycles In other languages Spanish Russian
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Reader Success Stories

  • Ona Motard

    Ona Motard

    Apr 27, 2016

    "This helpful information could save me from serious injury and trashing my bike. I've had previous bad..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jason Shackelford Reviewed by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician Co-authors: 14 Updated: October 25, 2022 Views: 292,346 91% of readers found this article helpful. 147 votes - 91% Click a star to add your vote Ona Motard

Ona Motard

Apr 27, 2016

"This helpful information could save me from serious injury and trashing my bike. I've had previous bad..." more Paul Dopson

Paul Dopson

Aug 15, 2016

"Great to see the full techniqe explained with fab graphics. I wasn't confident about the 2 finger breaking,..." more Martin A.

Martin A.

May 5, 2016

"It's the clearest explanation I've found of this technique. Steps 2 and 5 are key aspects very often..." more Arvind Srinivas

Arvind Srinivas

Nov 4, 2016

"Very nice, I had doubts about downshift, throttle blipping, rev matching." Kelvin

Kelvin

Oct 28, 2016

"When to downshift gears helped." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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