Here's an interesting place where I've found some good information and learned a few things:

Motorcycle Riding & Safety Tips

Of particular interest were these:

Clutchless Shifting

(Don't know if this is a good idea on a 14, but thought I would try it.)

The Basics of Hard Braking

(Particularly interesting, and maybe a good idea (?) was tip #4: "Keep at least one finger on the brake lever at all times when riding".)

Avoiding Obstacles in a Turn

(This describes a method that I hadn't thought of, but it sounds interesting.)

Not trying to tell anybody how to ride -- just thought these might be helpful.

Enjoy... -bg

* Last updated by: bgordon on 2/12/2009 @ 9:23 AM *

Clutchless: is harmless once mastered. Shifting down is you have to be really good you must be sin say.

Hard braking: is to squeeze the brakes so hard you blow the fork seals out at over 100mph by locking the front wheel; wait for the bars to rotate, you begin to lean to one side, or it could lock to the fork stops you are too late releasing the front brake lever = All in a split of a second you better be quick! That is my way of learning is self taught. (Generally speaking... You try that shit is on your own tell me about it later is I did not say to try it = LOL).

Avoid Obstacles: Dare goes the brake work you did not have the yank on the lever is too fast a swerve is jump over it now; you blew it and not the fork seals = LOL

Hand Job: is finger this out. I had to jumped on the bike to see what fingers will rest as I normally sit for the street savvy action. Come to find out, I am all 8 resting on both levers is do the math is Action Jackson ready and waiting for Ass is Holes that need to use the bus and not drive.

Update: Now that I took a ride for real, I use 3 fingers for the brake work, 4 finger for the clutch. Plus, 4th gear@ 3 grand, the bike is not even breathing hard. No surge WOTsoever.

* Last updated by: Hub on 2/18/2009 @ 8:11 AM *

Found quote at Motorcyclist's Website:

"SANTA PAULA, CA October 8, 2007 – When it comes to teaching people how to ride a motorcycle better, few have the experience of Reg Pridmore. His philosophies have been forged with over 50 years experience riding and racing. He won 3 AMA Superbike Championships and has been teaching better technique since 1974. In 1998 CLASS was chosen the Best Street Riding School by Motorcyclist Magazine, in 2002 Reg achieved the honor of being inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame, and in 2004 Reg’s first book Smooth Riding the Pridmore Way was released to rave reviews.

Most of us at one time or another would have liked to have our own Hall of Famer to call and bounce ideas off of, give riding tips, answer those hard questions that even your friends don't know the answer to any better than you do. Now you do.

For over 30 years he’s been teaching riders better control, technique, speed and confidence. Reg says it’s time for everyone to get those questions answered, whether they can make it to CLASS or not. So he’s added a new dimension to your training: Personal Coaching. It’s personal one on one phone consultation with riders from all over the country. It’s an appointment that could save your life.

Set up an appointment or even a series of appointments to call and talk to Reg. Spend as little as 15 minutes all the way up to an hour. If it’s motorcycle related, he’ll talk about it. Riding technique, racing, clothing, strategy, safety, track days – you name it.

About CLASS

Three-time AMA Superbike Champ and AMA Hall of Fame member Reg Pridmore has been teaching motorcyclists of all skill levels how to ride quickly, safely, and smoothly since 1974. CLASS (California’s Leading Advanced Safety School) was founded in 1986 and is conducted at racetracks.

Tel (805) 933-9936 :: Email: info@classrides.com

Details on the CLASS Program, including all dates and pricing can be found on the web at www.classrides.com"

Is this now; pay for 15mins worth of what I can read on the net fo free?

* Last updated by: Hub on 3/12/2009 @ 7:55 AM *

Unfourtunately the page on clutch-less shifting left out one very important reason for knowing this skill... Clutch problems, I've had a clutch cable break on another motorcycle and knowing how to shift without using the clutch saved me from a rather expensive tow charge (or a case of good beer for a buddy with a truck). The starter on the other motorcycle was powerful enough to propellel the bike in 1st to the point where the engine started running. I would assume (not about to try) the starter on the 14 is strong enough to do the same in an emergency.

As Hub mentioned, good luck with down-shifting, i found when the rpms were low enough you could hit the throttle a bit, back off and slip into the lower gear.

Clutchless shifting is actually pretty easy to do once you have the basics down. Down shifting requires a small blip of the throttle and sequencing your downshift accordingly. The trickier part of it is learning to apply front brake pressure while downshifting. This is where the jedi skills come in handy or you goose the throttle< not good on a 14.
I have over 15k on my 14 and practicaly no clutch shifting unless I have a chick on the back, and a few of them I still do it my way. No clutch problems with any bike I've ever ridden. Once mastered you may never return to your old ways.
Oh, and one very positive by product is acceleration is almost seemless with this method, minimun momentum loss verses pulling the clutch. Peace

I second that!!!

I thought that clutchless was one of the built in features on the 14. I don't know where I got that info? I like clutching on the way up cause I like lifting the wheel a little between gears. But I didn't know clutchless downshifting was supposed to be difficult. I guess I'll have to be a little more careful.

It's not in normal situations,
The only time it is really funny clutchless downshifting is in situations
where a quick decent is neccessesary, red lights and stupid drivers etc.
I like to stop as quickly as possible, or slow as rappidly as I can without braking(engine braking)
sometimes. In such situations it is easy to mis judge and blip the throttle before downshifting.
That will bring the front end up! or increase your stopping distance, or cause your rear wheel to try to lock up creating chatter,
You can shift most any bike that way, it's because of the way bike clutches are designed,not just 14,s
It is really coordinating hand and foot. Usualy the problen comes in when distracted or slightly panicked,
"Don't do a red bull, snort coke off a hookers ass, eat a handfull of up all night study enhancers and practice this manouver", ha-ha, thats a joke for all of you with humor dissabilities!

Nice paint on yer ride there HiFreq-any more pics of yer baby?Ride safe!!

Thanks Blue 07,
I dont know how to add photos here yet,
But if you go to Flicker and enter hifreqdude you can see many more I just added,and take a peek into some of the other sports me and aome of my other friends are into as well. Green goes everywhere!
Any problems just email me @ hifreqdude@yahoo.com Peace!