When going into a turn on a motorcycle, from a stopped position, when do you shift into second gear?

Question

Do you shift into second after you have made the turn, or before the turn or during the turn?

Answer 1

I shift after i complete the turn or straighten out. For me it is safer to do so incase something happens and you are in the right gear.  As you get better you will be able to shift in a turn or a curve.  I believe the motorcycle safety course will teach you how to do all of that.  i beleive most states have one and in michigan they cost $25 and i believe it waves a third party tester.  i'm not sure on that tho.

Answer 2

It would be best to avoid shifting during the turn.  It is the turning of the wheels that keep you upright (rememeber gyroscopes?), and if the driving power of the rear wheels ends, when you engage the clutch, you MAY find yourself down for the count. But on the other hand I never considered it. So I'd say that I do not do any of those because i do not run it up sufficiently in first gear that I NEED to shift when cornering.

I just put the motorcycle in first and drive.  Not sure if you were riding a 250 if that would be feasible or not.

Answer 3

After I stand the bike up I shift. I never shift or brake in a turn.

Answer 4

Once you've been riding for a while, shifting mid-turn should really be subconscious, assuming you're not at an extreme lean angle or speed.

That said, its probably alot better to just wait until you straighten out. On a sportbike, you can easily make it up to 50mph or more in 1st gear without much trouble. I cant imagine making a turn from a *dead stop* like at an intersection and needing to be much faster than that by the time i straighten out.

I'd say most of the time i'm already in 2nd by the time i start set into the lean.

Answer 5

I also usually shift after starting to straighten out too, unless it is a big or fast turn, then I shift during.

Answer 6

after.

Answer 7

It's not a good idea to shift in any but a very gentle turn.

If you're talking about a typical turn from a light,

clear the intersection before you shift.

You shouldn't be accellerating hard enough to

'run out of revs' in first before that in a traffic situation.

If you are, a slick spot is going to 'low-side` you

sooner or later.

Answer 8

I actually try to keep or get my shift foot into position first as I am taking off.  That way I have my foot already under the shifter ready to strike just as I am about to lean into the turn.  Most motorcycles have enough power to be launched within a few feet in first gear and revved enough in 1st gear to be shifted to second then lean into the left turn.  Now if it is a slightly uphill turn I will shift in the turn, but you see my foot is already there and ready anyways, to do the shifting.  

That's just my way, not that it is the best way or the proper way, I just feel comfortable with that...