I just got to thinking, I'm a pretty novice rider only three track days under my belt, but I never use 1st gear at the track or even on the street (when riding tight corners). Someone had mentioned to me that I should be using first gear more for tight corners, is this true? I have a 2009 FZ6, so it tops out somewhere around 60 mph in first. It just always seemed smoother to me to use 2nd.
Last time I used 1st was in novice. I accidentally ended up in neutral trying to shift to 2nd and ran off the turn. I haven't tried using 1st since, but with my new bike, I can barely get it in neutral on purpose. I was told there is no reason to use 1st gear on track.
I always use 1st gear in the paddock and coming out of hot pit....... oh, and loading the bike in the trailer!
First gear for great power wheelies coming out of tight turns!!! Seriously though, I don't use 1st.. haven't ever really. If your bike is geared right, 2nd gear should be all you need. I remember as a novice I would run the whole track in 3rd just to eliminate one of the elements while learning the track layout, brake markers, turn in etc.
There are Many thoughts on this. Stock gearing or altered gearing? I would say generally, especially for a newerish rider, You will probably not use first gear. I do know many pro riders who regularly gear for and use first. A lot more goes into it that just, hey, I have to use first gear, obviously but they may choose a taller gearing, offering them less shifting, as a result, they drop down to first for the tight stuff. So I guess what I'm saying, there is no wrong answer in my opinion.
I use 1st gear all the time...to get to 2nd gear I've never used 1st gear on the track on any bike I've had except for one time when I got confused (first track day of the season after 6 months of not riding), and I thought I was in 2nd and 3rd, but instead I was running in 1st and 2nd. I knew something was odd, but I only figured it out after a lap lol.
Just switched to GP shift and have accidentally done that on the street but at much lower speed. It's rather embarrassing!
T3 at Tally on a 1000cc - Use 1st. T5 at BMP passing on the inside - Use 1st. One of the back turns at CMP - Use 1st. Etc...
After playing with gears on my first track day at Barbers, and listening to my coach...I agree that first gear isn't appropriate in most cases. The throttle response is too jerky and requires finite control. It would have to be a really slow turn. I tried it once or twice in turn 5 at Barbers...no good, and 2nd provided plenty coming out.
Sorry just a pet peeve of mine... After riding there 12 Years I cringe every time someone says that... If it were meant to be it would be on the sign out front... Just like saying Road Atlanta's, Or CMP's, Talladega's.... You get the point.... I know its George's last name and his track but at say George Barbers Track....
LOL, I have the same type pet peeves! But me and George are tight, so I use the possessive form of his last name. J/K. Anyway...I get it.
