my prime experience.

Learning to shift with jakes.

Maybe explain that so newbies can understand it.

 

It slows the engine RPM faster than normal... you need to anticipate this and begin the shift a sooner to compensate, and be quick in the motion. When the gears grind, you were too slow.

 

Why not just.... turn off the Jake, then shift, then turn it back on? When I'm on a hill, I just brake to about 10mph lower than where I plan to end up, then shift without the Jake. Then toggle the Jake back on before I get going too fast.

 

Downshift going down a hill before you get going too fast? Yikes. That doesn't sound safe. Miss the gear and all you have is the brakes.

You should have downshifted to the proper gear before you go down the hill.

 

You miss that gear, and get going too fast... you'll end up dead at the bottom of the pass. That's a very dangerous move, and newbs should never try it.