New Zongshen RX3 (ZS250GY-3) Dual Sport

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by woodlandsprite

Thanks Weld

So....what does it mean to lug the engine? Is it basically making sure the engine isn't in too high of a gear for the speed at which I am trying to travel? I have very little experience with manual transmission vehicles. I rarely drive our truck, and then only on dirt roads...

And winding it out is when it's got its RPMs too high - so in too low a gear for the speed at which I'm traveling (uh...how does this work with engine braking??)

Is there a way to find out what the optimal RPMs is for a given engine? This is clearly another skill i'm going to have to pick up and learn...

Spud's response was ideal.

Since you brought up engine braking, I'll throw out a new challenge for you. New riders will often simply pull in the clutch, downshift and then release the clutch, which can result in aggressive braking. When you pull the clutch in to downshift, give the throttle a quick rev (not too much) as you kick the shifter down, and then gently release the clutch (vs. dumping it).

After some practice, you should feel very little engine braking, but rather a smooth transition from gear to gear. It makes for a more pleasant ride, and it's easier on your bike. Be patient with yourself as you experiment with this technique; it takes time.