heh, everybody already said practice so the only thing I can add is this: It's not uncommon for me never to make it out of 2nd before hitting the next light. Sometimes I don't even get out of 1st.

Just cause you have 6 gears doesn't mean you'll get to use them all. Riding on the street and in traffic can eliminate using the higher gears. And you're not hurting the engine cruising round 7k rpm.

 

Thanks guys, I'm going to try shifting at higher RPMs, and yes, i do let go the the clutch without engaging the throttle, and the engine braking begins. Will try 5k - 7k RPMs from now on.

 

i dont know if this will help or not, try listening to your bike more than actually reading your tach. you can tell exactly what needs to be done by the sound of the exhaust and often lets you focus more on the road rather than keeping eyes down on the guages. i hardly ever look at the tach just use my ears. and smoothness comes with saddle time, all there is to it.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean, I'm beginning to get the sound of the engine when it hits around 5k rpm. It looks like switching gears around there really helped the flow of shifting. Much faster and smoother. I need to get the timing of the removing clutch and reengaging throttle.

 

Ha! Yeah Im sure ill be thinking about this in the future

 

Yea these bike redline at... 12k?? You're not even close to the power band at 3-4k. Makes the bike work harder to do the same work and you could also have some battery discharging issues in stop and go traffic.

 

another suggestion would be to take the MSF courses available to you. and if you have the noob course accomplished(the one that can give you the "M" endorsement on your licence) Try the advance courses with a lil more hands on training with individuals that can show you right away the do's and dont's.