I hate the 'Clunk' noise that it makes when I switch into first. Like when the Revs are 3000+ it's a little loud.

Is that bad to do? Does it wear anything out? Should I avoid switching into 1st before coming to a full/almost full stop?

 

you can blip the throttle when coming to a stop and put the bike in first gear no problem. if you get it right they'll be no noise.

 

Can you elaborate on that a bit?

 

Harleys do the same thing ! What the #@*^%$#@

 

when coming to a stop, pull the clutch in, blip the throttle so the revs match the road speed and simultaneously shift into first. you can be on the front brakes the whole time your doing this.

 

Interesting, I'll giv'r a go

what about when I am stopped and the engine is idling high (hasn't warmed up fully)?

 

don't ride it untill the idle settles and you have some heat in the motor. give the oil a chance to lubricate everything before you shoot down the street

 

If you are at a full stop, you can roll the bike forward as you drop it into first (with the clutch in). This minimizes it. Be careful because if it's slick you can drop it.

The "CLUNK" is a fact of life.

Two things to remember:

1. You shouldn't be shifting before the bike is warmed up. Wait until the revs come down before you take off. This aint your daddys pickup. If the bike isn't warmed up the oil is thick and it's not doing it's job as well.
2. DON'T shift to neutral at a light. You need to keep it in gear so you can get the hell outta dodge in a hurry if someone decides they don't want to stop. The only reason to go to neutral at a light is if traffic is totally stopped around you and the light is really long.

Make sure you shift down to first before you come to a complete stop.

 

ajust your clutch, let it warm up.

when you decel, give a little blip between pulling in the clutch, downshifting, and letting out the clutch. make sure you let off the throttle before you let out the clutch. now do it with your front brake on and try not to dive the front end. you gotta be smooth as butter on the brake while twisting the throttle, kinda hard at first.
what you are doing is getting the rpms above what they will be when you let out the clutch in the lower gear.
its good for your transmission, good for your clutch, and it sounds ****in badass!
bwan nn nnnnnnnnmmnmmm, bwaan nnn nmnnnmnnnnnnn..
vs
'clik' hunnnnnnnnnnnnnmmnn, 'clik' huuunnnnnunnnnnnmm..

 

Good stuff, I wasn't sure about the importance of engine warmup since my car manual says it's better to drive it with lower RPM than to let it sit idling to warm it up.
I didn't see anything in the bike manual.

Looking forward to playing around with 1st gear. Just have to finish this work day!