Does anyone know the max RPMs you can be running at when you downshift? That is, without locking up the back wheel . . .

 

I can't imagine there's a magic number. There are a lot of factors, including the rider's weight, the road surface, that status of your tires, your suspension setup, etc. I'm a pretty light rider (155 lbs) and it takes quite a bit to lock it up for me. If I drop 2 or 3 gears at a time and pop the clutch it will slide, but I wouldn't want to do that anyway.

 

i'm not an expert but i'm 155 and when i down shift i am usually around 5000 but when i have the clutch in i give it gas to around 6000-6500 and then let out the clutch and it sounds really sweet. i could be doing it all wrong so if i Am PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!! i do know that i did lock up the back tire when i was going too fast once but i am making sure not to let that happen again. -andy

 

When you're downshifting... you should be easing out on the clutch. You should be able to feel the RPM and know if you're in danger of locking up the back wheel. Play around with this in a safe place at different speeds and you'll see what I mean.

 

What Fizripxxx is describing is a modified version of double clutching. If you were to release the clutch while revving it would be double clutching. I do the same thing in my car when downshifting on slick or icy road. If I let the clutch out too abruptly while downshifting the tires will lose their grip and I'll slide. Same deal with the bike.

 

Good responses. That is what I have been doing. The reason I posted this is that when I owned my Speed Triple, it specifically stated in the manual not to downshift when the RPMs were above 5k (the redline is only 9500 though). I thought there might be some guidlines around this for the CBR as well.

Dan

 

Tire temperature has a lot to do with it too. I'll occasionally lock mine up in the first few miles of travel because the tires haven't reached an optimum temperature and pressure yet.