Blipping

On my Aussie forum there is this HUGE discussion regarding blipping.

However, I can find nowhere that explains in basic English what blipping is. Can anyone enlighten me??? (in real English please)

 

Blip as in blip the throttle, rev the engine you mean? Eg on downshifts or just to make a nice noise

 

Ok, my version...Blipping is only for changing down gears during acceleration/deceleration. The reason is to increase the revs briefly by a short blip of the throttle with the clutch in, to match those of the lower gear into which you are about to change. It smooths the change enough to prevent to back wheel locking up, especially on single/twin cyl bikes & mostly when wet & generally makes down changing more pleasant (whether you do so to decelerate or accelerate) so reducing wear to drivetrain/tyres. Can stop pillion head bashing yours too when changing down. Some modern bikes have slipper clutches which means you don't need to blip. Almost every biker blips. Hope this helps.
Oh & if your car is manual shift it'll help there too.

 

Me too. I'm glad I'm not the only one cos I got quite a lot of criticism on another forum for doing it

 

I've held the throttle open (not moving it) before when upchanging but not actually blipped.

 

Just like Les says, although I think more commonly it's used while upshifting without the clutch which can be done with downshifts also but takes more practice.

A blip on the throttle is just that, you momentarily either apply or remove input to cause a disruption in the load on the gearbox allowing the shift to happen.

 

Thanks everyone. HUGE big argument on my Aussie bikers forum regarding this.

Ahhh I think I get it.

So basically I do beginners blipping already (!)

But no interest in blipping without using the clutch, I'd probably blow up the engine somehow knowing my luck!

 

You won't blow your engine up not using the clutch to shift up, could blow the box shifting down clutchless without practice but the block would be fine

One way to describe clutchless up shifts are like this;

Pull away (1st gear), accelerate quickly.

As you pass peak torque level (or realistically anywhere in the top 30% of the rev range) apply pressure to the gear lever as if trying to shift up.

While maintaining the pressure on the gear lever, momentarily twitch (or blip ) the throttle - partially closing then reopening it again.

As the revs drop the pressure on the clutch drops letting the gear lever move and the gear shift up.

Keep accelerating and repeat through gears.

 

OHHHHHH I actually really get it!!! Thank you for layman terms.

Is it a skill that all bikers should know/do? Is it something I should learn to do, or as a commuter and weekend warrior I'll survive not finessing?

 

Personally I think it's always worth learning a new skill where possible.

By shifting up without the clutch you retain better control on the handlebar (I guess), also means your clutch cable won't wear as fast haha.

There's nothing to be lost by getting the hang of it and it speeds up your gear changes by a large amount.


Regarding the upshift point in the rev range, the top 30% is only really so that you'll be above peak torque which is when you should be shifting.


You can upshift earlier without trouble might require a little more pressure on the lever and a marginally longer 'blip' As the % of rpm change will be lower.

 

how do you blip the throttle without using the clutch... .....time to learn a new technique...

 

When you're accelerating, get ready for the gearshift by applying positive pressure against the lever as though you were actually shifting. Keep that pressure on and as you reach the point at which you want to shift (ideally the top 30% of the rev range, as has been said) roll the throttle sharply off, then back on.

In that moment where the throttle closes, the transmission is unloaded and the gear slips in. Drive is taken up as you re-open the throttle and remove your foot from the lever. Done right, it's completely smooth.

If you get it wrong you can end up with a false neutral, and that can damage the dog teeth in the gearbox. A secondary concern is that if you were bracing for more acceleration, a missed shift means there won't be any, meaning you'll slump forward a bit before you regain your composure. At the same time the engine will rev like crazy before picking up either the gear you were shifting to, or the one you were shifting from. Don't ask me how I know that...

 

thanks rob, but i can't see where the 'blip' is in that scenario. rolling off and back on for a clutchless upshift I understand and is no problem, but you aren't really 'blipping'.

I thought a 'blip' is an increase in revs without drive so when you drop to a lower gear and re-engage the drive there is less engine breaking to prevent a rear wheel lock-up thus the use of the clutch on downshifting.

Clutchless upshifts you are dropping revs to unload the transmission...so where is the 'blip' ?

am I missing something ?

 

Actually I see your point when you put it like that. There isn't one, is there? I'm afraid I'm as stumped as you...

 

unless of course a 'blip' is merely a sharp movement of rev's....one way or the other...

 

I too don't understand the use of blipping (revving) on upshifts as no matter how fast you make the change, the revs must be lower once the higher gear is engaged & drive is taken up . There again I'm no racer.

 

It's all in the definition, chaps.

blip
noun

• An unexpected, minor, and typically temporary deviation from a general trend: