How To Properly Downshift Motorcycle Gears When Stopping

If you are just learning how to ride a motorcycle, you will need to know how to properly downshift motorcycle gears when stopping. Learning how to downshift gears while riding a motorcycle is one of the most challenging aspects of learning how to ride a motorcycle. Downshifting when stopping is something that can be easily learned and mastered with practice, and once you get the hang of it you will have a smooth transition when stopping. Downshifting motorcycle gears can be a little bit difficult to learn, but once learned it will make stopping your motorcycle a whole lot easier.

1. Get used to using the front brake with one or two fingers. This will make it easier to properly downshift motorcycle gears. It is best to use your index and middle fingers to brake while you keep your ring and pinky fingers on the throttle when stopping.
2. Begin to slow down. After you begin braking, pull the clutch like you normally would to go to the next gear. Continue holding onto the clutch while you use the palm of your hand or your ring and pinkie finger to rev the engine slightly. Be patient with doing this because it can be a little tricky trying to do these both at the same time as you downshift your motorcycle gears when stopping.
3. Continue to brake smoothly. Next, you want to smooth the transition between gears to eliminate the need to slip the clutch often. Once the engine is slightly revved up, release the clutch back out to engage the next gear. This will help you to match the engine to the same speed in the lower gear.
4. Practice shifting down gears. When you let the clutch out when the engine is turning too fast, if the bike jerks forward, don't rev it as much next time. Rev it a little more before releasing the clutch if the bike rapidly slows down. Repeat the steps above each time your shift down a gear to bring your motorcycle to a stop.