Topic: Do you count while shifting?

[70CB750]

Of course I can tell what gear I am in, but I still count when going up or down.

Am I the only one?

[LesterPiglet]

I usually get to 25 or so then something else distracts me.

[70CB750]

  well I only know numbers 1 through 7 and than have to switch to Czech language.

[jamesb]

your not the only one i thought i was the only one who did that so i guess there is two of us so far. i've always counted when i change gears even in my cars

[Motoguy23]

You're not alone.  The  bad thing is that I'm cruising in fifth and always thing I have a 6th gear. (m dirt bike has six)  so I pull the clutch and try to shift but have to settle for fifth.

[azuredesign]

I don't count in that way, but I try to figure what my rev count is in my highest gear at 60 mph. Then I subtract 500 to 1000 rpm to know what gear I'm in. I ride a few different bikes and this helps me especially when on the highway.

[kirkn]

LOL!  Good question.  I never thought about it until just now! 

I usually count 1st, 2nd and 3rd up, then quit.  And, I've had so many different bikes over the years, I'm ALWAYS reaching for another higher gear. 

And, I count along with motor revs, raising the voice in my head to match the revs...  firrrrrrst, seccccoonnnnnnnd, thirrrrrrrrrrrd... 

I also count down from the top, too, but invariable start as if I were driving a 6-speed bike - the first click down, I'll think "5th", then "4th", then "no, wait, dammit, this is only a five-speed, so, where was I.....  Oh, look, there's the neutral light."



Kirk

[TwoTired]

Long ago, yes.  But, I haven't for a while now.  It's just not important anymore. 
The gear is selected for the tach reading.  Tach needle low, downshift, tach needle high, upshift.
A nice quiet pipe allows for that without enraging the residents or constabulary.

I still sometimes try to up shift when in 5th gear, and I want the tach reading to be lower.  But, if it won't shift, I know I'm in top gear.


Sidenote:
I now have a Cb700SC that has the gear indicator on the dash.  I still use the tach for gear shifting.  About the only time I notice it is on the freeway, while bored, when it says "OD".  On that bike, the lever doesn't move up anymore when in OD.  I notice that before looking at the indicator. 

Cheers,

[LesterPiglet]

When it says OD does that mean only downshift? 

[BrockSamson]

You're not alone.  The  bad thing is that I'm cruising in fifth and always thing I have a 6th gear. (m dirt bike has six)  so I pull the clutch and try to shift but have to settle for fifth.

I am still getting used to the high cruising RPM (compare to my car) and I constantly try to shift into a gear I do not have.

I do not count at all on the bike.  My mind is constantly checking mirrors, scanning traffic, etc.  I just feel the bike and react.  I am a novice though and my brain doesn't operate on that level yet, I am still ultra defensive.

[TwoTired]

When it says OD does that mean only downshift? 

Um, well, yeah.  There IS only one Over Drive gear selection.   

[sangyo soichiro]

I always think about counting, but always get distracted for whatever reason.  The only reason I want to count is because it bugs me to try to shift up when I'm already in top gear. 

[fmctm1sw]

Of course I can tell what gear I am in, but I still count when going up or down.

Am I the only one?

Other than that guy that was looking for 6th gear on his 350F a while back, yes...   

[bollingball]

I usually get to 25 or so then something else distracts me.

I get to ten and remember i have my shoes on. I don't count at all in the winter

[bollingball]

I don't count I just listen to the motor and look at the tach if I'm on the big highway. I like to stay above 3k cruise at 4.5k-6k

Ken

[Retro Rocket]

Do i count when shifting, No, do i make my shifting count, Yes...{i hate false neutrals}..

[70CB750]

I am bit surprised nobody came up with the obvious joke substituing t for f

[BobbyR]

You're not alone.  The  bad thing is that I'm cruising in fifth and always thing I have a 6th gear. (m dirt bike has six)  so I pull the clutch and try to shift but have to settle for fifth.

I am still getting used to the high cruising RPM (compare to my car) and I constantly try to shift into a gear I do not have.

I do not count at all on the bike.  My mind is constantly checking mirrors, scanning traffic, etc.  I just feel the bike and react.  I am a novice though and my brain doesn't operate on that level yet, I am still ultra defensive.

It takes some getting used to since we have grown accustomed to our cars with their six speeds and overdrives.
Stay ultra defensive also, you will ride a lot longer and healthier that way.

[Roach Carver]

I hum.

[Old School Honda]

I try to count, but usually forget cause I'm concentrating on everything else.

[trueblue]

I usually only count the downshifts when approaching a corner at speed when riding hard, otherwise I have time to look at the tacho and speedo to figure out what gear I'm in, but I am guilty of regularly looking for 6th.

[ChuckG750f1]

I just listen to my engine.  However, I often want a 6th gear.  I have developed the habit of lifting my toe against the shifter every once in a while while I'm cruising.  If it won't move it means I have another gear, if it moves then I know I'm in 5th.  Works for my Honda and my Harley.

[Johnie]

Never did count the gears. I just go by the engine rev sound and then shifit.

[K5 Keith]

...I have developed the habit of lifting my toe against the shifter every once in a while while I'm cruising.  If it won't move it means I have another gear, if it moves then I know I'm in 5th. ...

+1
Only in the last couple weeks have I figured this out! Before I would automatically pull the clutch expecting another gear that insn't there.

[krusty]

I count only when riding my 60 Suzuki Colleda with a 4 speed rotary gearbox. Ever experienced going from top into neutral then thinking its a false, shift again straight into first , at 50mph?