Want to learn more about getting better with the clutch? Check this out. www.mcrider.com/training-tips-for-being-smooth-on-a-motorcycle/ You can also find EVERY MCrider video from the last 6 years at MCrider.com. I have a few hats in stock...Hurry before they are gone! www.MCrider.com/hat

My daughter bought a VW Jetta with a manual transmission. The sales guy couldn't bring it out to her when we went to pick it up. She proudly said, "Where is it, I'll get it." Teach your children well gentlemen🙂

@marksmallman4572

Жыл бұрын

Your joking, some salesman...

@grantodaniel7053

Жыл бұрын

Well done! My son is about to start learning to drive, and I'm going to get him started with a manual transmission too. He'll always need that experience at some stage. 👍🇦🇺

@scotstafford2137

Жыл бұрын

both of my daughters learned standard on a 93 Jeep XJ that I had, they are both glad they learned it. especially when they can embarrass the guys.

@MrBCRC

Жыл бұрын

Yep. Been there with my Mitsubisi Outlander.

@Scottie8740

Жыл бұрын

Manual transmission…. Best anti-theft device these days. I say we change back to cursive writing and really give them a run for their money.

Excellent analogy with a dimmer switch!

I still remember the day dad got tired of my little “burn out” patches in the yard from me popping the clutch on my 1982 Yamaha DT100J. He put his hand over mine on the clutch lever and when he felt me start letting it go he pulled it back in and said hold it there when you start feeling it pull. He didn’t use the term “friction zone” but I sure learned what it was and never left another “unintended” 😁 patch after that.

I started with an automatic; clucking to a mule pulling a tobacco drag at 5 yo, then graduated to a manual 3 forward on a "B" Allis Chalmers tractor at 7, then beyond to higher powered equipment on the farm. This is new to me even as a returning biker at 70. Your tutorials are appreciated, and a necessity for my safety and enjoyment.I practice daily what I learn from you here on the place.Thanks

Whether in a tractor, Pickup or motorcycle I like to start newbies on a slight hill. The skills learned easing off the clutch while getting under way work for a lifetime. While teaching this to new mixer truck driver, the lesson of "a stopped vehicle causes no harm" went a long way. Killing the engine and stopping the vehicle gave her a more relaxed feeling. Until experience is gained, teaching a student how to stop is best in my opinion. Up hill practice teaches that friction zone feeling as they learn to trust the clutch and let off the brakes. If an emergency presents itself they can let off the clutch and get on the brake, the dead engine cannot move them into harms way. Unlike a car or pickup, the motorcyclist has three points of control where in a vehicle it's just their feet and maybe a handbrake. Teaching on a slight hill will give them that experience so when they have to start on a hill, the friction zone is already their friend! I've seen more bikes dumped on hills at stop signs then anywhere else. Thank You Kevin for your video. You are in my prayers Hoka Hey

I’ve ridden or driven standard transmissions most of my 66 years, but have never really understood how and why clutches work the way they do. Thanks for an excellent and informative video on this!

I'm a firm believer that proper clutch modulation skills is the key to success when riding any motorcycle. It's also important to note that off-road riding will call for a much greater degree of modulation than road riding. I ride a dualsport, so I have had to learn both ways.

The clutch/throttle finesse comes with practice. Instead of taking the freeway, take surface streets with stop signs or lights. You'll be developing those grip muscles in hand and forearm at the same time. Eventually, you become 'one with the machine'. Practice.

@RTD553

Жыл бұрын

You don't need any muscle development.

Well, that learning curve was backwards for me. I learned to drive a standard transmission car, because I started riding motorcycles with a clutch when I was about 13.

My favorite motorcycle channel on youtube. It's like sitting with an uncle and getting the voice of experience. Always appreciate your show. Thank you.

@MCrider

Жыл бұрын

Your welcome! Uncle Kevin 😉

Specially important when starting uphill. It took me lots of practice to do that, and get my bike to go smoothly. Every motorcycle is different, so I could suggest to practice with every bike you get to ride before going to the road

Manual transmition for the win!

Early on I only ever thought of the clutch as a means to change gears. Period. After dropping heavy bikes at slow speeds I guess I was finally ready to add ‘slipping the cutch’ to my riding skills. I wish this information was stressed more when I was a newbie, that I had listened to it more if it was, or both.

Also like the "dimmer switch" analogy for the clutch on a motorcycle--as opposed to it being like an "on/off switch"

THIS information is the reason why the new riders NEED TO attend MSF basic course FIRST, before getting on their 1st bike. Riders who don't understand the very basics of the machines DON'T need to be operating these machines ANYWHERE, except in training course.

i was lucky to started riding as a kid in 1973 on a z50

The first time I was ever on a motorcycle, I stopped. I thought I had it in neutral but I did not. I let go of the clutch, the bike shot out from under me, the saddle bags caught me behind the knees. I went about 20 feet before the bike fell on me.

@esfd286

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, this is one thing they stressed in my MSF course. There is NEVER a time when it's appropriate to just let go of the clutch like it's a switch. Slow and smooth, even if you think the bike is in neutral. That way if it's not, you'll feel it start to move and have time to react before it rockets out from under you.

I remember my first bike upgrade from a Honda 750 to a Suzuki M109R. The first day with the bike I almost fell off the back of the bike in a parking lot as I wasn’t expecting it accelerate as much as it did by cracking the throttle.

I've noticed on my motorcycle with a 8,000 mile oil change interval that the clutch seems to get "sticky" at about the 7,200 mile interval and gets a little "stickier" the closer it gets to the recommended 8,000 mile change interval. I now change the oil at approximately 6,000 miles or once a year. Excellent info again, thanjs!

@The_RC_Guru

Жыл бұрын

It definitely makes a huge difference to have fresh oil in it.

@audiogarden21

Жыл бұрын

That must be a low revving, high torque engine. I wouldn't change my oil any later than 5k miles. I have a 4.6L Triton with a 5k service interval, and that thing is a torque monster V8. Motorcycles also run oil through the clutch so I'd definitely cut that interval further to make up for that fact. I ride a WR250R with a 3k mile interval but it's a high revving engine, idling at 1450 RPM.

@The_RC_Guru

Жыл бұрын

@@audiogarden21 they aren’t so low rpm and there’s no way I’d go as far as him between oil changes on my bikes or vehicles. My 125 doesn’t get 3000mi per year and I dump and pump the oil 2x a year. Only a quart and engine will last forever. My 18yr old pickup gets changed bout 3k to 3500mi. These new vehicles saying 7500-15,000mi intervals all seem to be broken down and ready for the junk yard much past 100k miles. Not surprised with that long between changes.

@audiogarden21

Жыл бұрын

@@The_RC_Guru No kidding. Like the old adage says, "oil is cheap, engines are not".

@audiogarden21

Жыл бұрын

@kaw boy Relative to engines that is.

In a way driving a car with a clutch was at a first a little confusing with a motorcycle, and the so called friction zone. With a car you have a dry clutch and you try to get off the clutch pedal as soon as you can and not ride the clutch.

I have been watching your videos for about a yr b4 I got my motorcycle endorsement to get myself mentally ready for when I do start riding & it worked GREAT! Even though I been riding 2 yrs now, I still watch your videos every Friday & even go back to older videos to refresh my mind. Thanks for what you do, it helps me & i know a lot of people for sure. Keep up the AWESOME WORK!

Been riding for about 3 years. Have 3 motorcycles (2 sports tourers and Street glide). Lol every time I get a new motorcycle I always stall because each one is different when it comes to friction zone. Keep riding, maintain your iron horse, and have fun. You will eventually learn your iron horse.

Very good explanation Kevin. You gave just enough detail to be helpful and not overwhelming.

Good explanation

Kevin, thanks for aa the content. It is very informative and entertaining. Stay safe brother.

Exactly 💯 friction zone means a lot, they taught us these techniques in our MFS class 👍 Kevin, be safe everyone.

Excellent kevin

Thank you so much.i am 70 and want to get back on a bike this year,just a 125cc tho.i am out of practice

@beachwalk5178

Жыл бұрын

So cool, Connie. It's a year for 70s. Same here! I'm taking a dirt bike class next month to learn how to ride. I drove sticks most my life; can't wait to learn a bike.

@conniewaite1371

Жыл бұрын

@@beachwalk5178 go for it,best to learn in a class .

Thank you

Very cool clutch animation 😎

The clutch on our Camero is the best anti theft device!

@dougrobinson8602

Жыл бұрын

Where's it parked? Just kidding!

Always a thumbs up.

Great info!! Also the rpm in friction zone depends on the motorcycle. For example, in my husqvarna 250, the engine idles at 2500rpm, so there is no way i can keep it under 2000rpm when i am in the friction zone

So sad the manual transmission cars continually disappear here! Good tips! Internal view helpful for those who've never seen it! (FWIW, I think I'd worry about friction zoning dry clutches much, on bikes with those... No idea, though.)

sir can i use friction zone on a downhills tight turn ??? does it affects braking system ???

Random stupid question from a long haul trucker do motorcycles have a clutch brake?

Good video, as always, but what about a bike with a dry clutch like a BMW? How much time in the friction zone is too much time before wearing out the clutch plate? A clutch job is a very pricey thing.

@dougrobinson8602

Жыл бұрын

I've put a lot of miles on dry clutch BMW's. I've never had any issues. When Kevin says to keep rpm under 1800 when in the friction zone, that's too high for a BMW. Those BMW twins and brick engines are very torguey. You barely need to be off idle to start out, unless you're really in a hurry. The dry clutch will build heat much faster since only air is cooling it, so I wouldn't spend a ton of time slipping it. If you're doing parking lot exercises, mix it up and let the clutch cool down every now and then. You'll be fine!

@eaparkes

Жыл бұрын

@@dougrobinson8602 I appreciate the input. it was the first question that came to mind as a twin owner.

Are we turning the throttle the wrong way?

I’m not sure how much the lack of understanding of motorcycle clutch is related to the fact that people have automatic transmission in their cars. I’m european and I have always had manual transmission in my cars, never felt any difficulty in using or understanding it. And still the motorcycle clutch was (and maybe sometimes still is) the biggest or the only obstacle in learning riding. Mc clutch feels totally different from the car one for me. Yeah, both have the friction zone but somehow in cars it’s much easier to control it smoothly for me.

@jeannoelsandrazie1874

Жыл бұрын

May be it's because a clutch pedal has more travel than a clutch lever....

That's one of the things on my BMW I don't like is it uses an automotive style dry clutch instead of an oil bath clutchThe way it's located on the bike makes it difficult to service or replace and of course because it's a BMW the price of the components is just stupid

That was really helpful ❤️❤️ Can you please make a video about gear shifting and what happens if i ride my bike using the second gear only without shifting to the 3rd and 4th gears..cuz i usually ride using the 2nd gear most of the time..is it safe for my bike to do so or this will damage it?

@RTD553

Жыл бұрын

Jeez. If it starts whining too much, move up a gear. Cripes!

I like motorcycles. ✌🏽

very transparent

Thanks Kevin. Friction Zone.

2000 RPM is near stalling in my low displacement motorcycle

Talk about a "clutch" video!

I have ridden motorbikes for years, and never realised there was a clutch! Thanks for advising me. So it is on the left? I will start using it tomorrow and hopefully I won't fall off as much. CHEERS!

@commanderstud2417

Жыл бұрын

“Motorbike”

@RTD553

Жыл бұрын

@@commanderstud2417 "?"