Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 999 / 749 > 749 gear change

[coko]

I’ve just past my test and brought myself a Ducati 749, I’m still improving my riding skills and as a result im finding myself changing gear early. Am I over working the engine changing gear early?, can I ride the bike in this way without causing any damage or does this kind of bike need high revs?

[Col996s]

Hi Coko, welcome to the board. Nice bike to have after passing your test.
I'm sure someone will be along soon to answer your question.

[andyb]

Every engine,no matter how many cylinders or what configuration, ( you know ducatis are an L 90 degree twin) will have a certain character,

Whats relative to all things mechanical is if it sounds or feels right, it generally is right, or your doing the right thing.

Its a question of using this character to your riding advantage, for comfort, rideability, and reliabilty of the engine.

In simple terms its keeping the engine in its sweet spot. Too low revs and it will judder and sound awful. To high revs and it just wont feel right.

That little 749 will love to be revved. Get confident and play around up and down the gearbox, you can almost play a tune on it!

[Rattler]

Originally Posted by coko

I’ve just past my test and brought myself a Ducati 749, I’m still improving my riding skills and as a result im finding myself changing gear early. Am I over working the engine changing gear early?, can I ride the bike in this way without causing any damage or does this kind of bike need high revs?

What revs are you changing gear at?

[coko]

Im changing gear at around 4500rpm/5000rpm. It has so much toruqe and never seems to struggle to get the speed up even when I do change early.

[749er]

Originally Posted by coko

Im changing gear at around 4500rpm/5000rpm. It has so much toruqe and never seems to struggle to get the speed up even when I do change early.

I did the same as you, and recall changing at 6000rpm as I was running it in. Was still leaving my mate behind on a CB600.

If thats what your comfortable with then just stay with that till you get more confident, then gently ease your way up the range on nice long straight roads where you can be confident you wont hit anything.

Be careful going down. Loads of torque means its easy to lock the back wheel, so ease the clutch out slow.

[coko]

So if I change down and release the cluch to fast the rear wheel could lock up . Why does that happen?

[kwikbitch]

Originally Posted by coko

So if I change down and release the cluch to fast the rear wheel could lock up . Why does that happen?

I just tried to post a reply to you but new board wont let me post

[749er]

Originally Posted by coko

So if I change down and release the cluch to fast the rear wheel could lock up ?

Coko
I would practice the throttle blipping off the bike first, before you try it for real, like when you are on the train, then just take your time when running through it. Slow and smooth is the best way to try and learn things. I have only just starting doing this, but it makes a big difference, especially as I had a tendency to dump the clutch and leave my rear wheel sliding about.

Dont worry about it feeling fast just now. Give it 12 months and it'll feel slow and you be looking for a mods or a 999!

Cheers

Derek