[ELK]

At the beginning of the coverage of each race there is on-board video of a sample lap at speed with commentary. It is common for the commentator, often an ex-racer, to comment that the riders will short shift at a given location.

Why? There is a reason they are giving up the power of upper RPMs.

Do they short shift before long sweepers, for example, so that they need not upshift during the corner?

(If so, then why the common belief that GP shifting is better as it is easier to shift in a corner?)

 

[tye1138]

Short shifting is a technique that all racers use.

Shifting is actually a difficult task in racing, it really separates the good riders from the noobs. The idea is to be at the top of the right gear all the time, but thats almost impossible because of the power these bikes produce and because of how busy the rider is doing other tasks (leaned over, trying to keep the bike from wheelying... etc.)

So you'll short shift in locations where you don't want the top end, but need the torq. Or in locations where its difficult to shift at a particular location on the track, so you shift before it, just for the ease.