What is SHORT SHIFTING on a motorcycle?

Short shifting? How? Why? When? Everything you need to know about short shifting on a motorcycle explained right here.

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⚙ MY GEAR

[brazoon]

I do it to save engine wear. I never understood riders who cruise around with the engine screaming at 80% RPM. In fact I even re-geared my bike (via sprockets) to lower to revs considerably on the highway. In theory, if the engine performs 20% fewer revolutions per kilometer traveled it will also have a 20% longer life.

[konstantinos]

Maybe I take things for granted but nobody told me about short shifting. Matter of fact I randomly stumbled upon this video and this is the first time I'm hearing about the term 'short shifting'.

All engines have a power band. That doesn't mean you have to be in it all the time. Thought that was common sense.

[achraf]

I Paid all the rpm so I use them all everytime everyday

[S.Knight]

I've literally been doing this for last 2 years of my riding life and didn't even knew about it.😜😂

[ASTEVER]

Before watching this video, i didn't even know that I've been "SHORT SHIFTING" my bike my whole life 😳
And my reason was exactly the same, smoother transition of power throughout the rev range, power keeps climbing....

[Lunsomat]

Great and short explanation! Most of us are prolly doing this most of the time without really being aware of it. Nice quick reminder here, perfectly edited with top information. Thank you, very appreciated!
Can you make a video about why in racing the shfiting is reversed?

[scottburns]

Power band originally referred to two stroke engine's having very low torque and power at low revs but at certain points higher revs would provide a massive difference, unlike a four stroke where camshaft profiles produce a more linear torque and power curve. Now we have shift cams or VTEC like cams that change the power and torque curves more dramatically which could be called a power band. You would short shift an RG 500 on the street so police don't see your front wheel in the air.

[powamoto]

Yeah bro we ain't short shifting on the hwy only round the neighborhood love from Miami Beach 🏖 FL USA Sky Champion on Powamoto 🤘

[PAD]

On race tracks, I also short shift before some left turns, when it's impossible to shift due to the lean angle.

[GixxerRider]

Another benefit is that getting up to the higher gears quicker means downshifting can more effectively slow the bike.

[Lunsomat]

My instructor wanted to teach me to always wait until I reach the powerband before I upshift. I thought that this was nonsense as a beginner, and I think I am right. I was on the highway with 110 kp/h, the engine was screaming in 3rd gear, when I started to ignore his stupid advice and began to "short shift".
Unless I really need that torque.

[doesntmatter]

I've been doing this for 40 years, ya don't need a "Name" for it.
Running your RPM up to red every time? You will shorten the life of your engine that way IMP.
Not every bike is make for racing.

[loftyintentions]

I go 1st-2nd, 2nd-4th and 4th-6th when I'm just chilling. That's on a gsxr 600.

[organichotdog]

I short-shift from 1st to 2nd in the city because 2nd gear on my SV650 is optimal stoplight to stoplight. It allows me to pull away quickly and smoothly without having to wring out 1st gear.

[CasualRiders]

Can't believe I waited 2 weeks for such a short video 😮 thought you were gonna drop the bomb on us with this one

[mannyechaluce]

been doing that all my life, even with my standard transmission cars :D, racing is about the only place I think I would ever go all the way close to the red line

[monawoka]

If you're riding on the street short shifting is just shifting lol. If it's the exception to the rule you might be riding like a maniac 😂

[mikeyg]

Loud and proud lol! If they can't hear us they can't see us 💯

[deepcool]

I do it most often as i like smooth silent rides in city, only at the highway i avoid it.

[smoirt]

I see it as why not be in a high gear if im sticking to a speed for a while. Less fuel, less engine wear, less noise for people to complain about, and more fun downshifts