To ride a motorcycle, knowing how to change gear is essential. You may think it is difficult to learn, but it is actually quite a simple operation. However, the procedures used are different; it depends if your bike has a manual or semi-automatic gearbox.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Manual Shift
Step 1. Familiarize yourself with the clutch, throttle and gearbox
The clutch is located at the front of the handlebar, on the left. It is the device responsible for transferring torque from the engine to the transmission. The throttle is the right handlebar grip. By activating it, the engine revolutions per minute increase, preventing it from turning off. The gearshift is a bar that is located in the front of the left pedal and is the device that allows you to change gears. Practice the following movements:
- Squeeze the clutch, then gradually release it.
- Turn the accelerator towards you to accelerate.
- Turn the throttle away from you to slow down.
- Press the shift lever to engage first gear. This movement will only produce the desired result if the bike is in neutral or second gear, otherwise pushing the shifter down will simply downshift one gear.
- Move the shift lever up to engage the other gears. The most common transmission for motorcycles with a manual gearbox has one gear down and four or five up. Neutral is located between first and second gear.
Step 2. Start the bike by tightening the clutch, then press the power button
Make sure the gearbox is in neutral. Neutral is indicated by a green "N" -shaped light on the dashboard; all modern motorcycles have this indicator. At this stage, you should be riding the bike.
Step 3. Engage first gear
Close the throttle and push the clutch all the way down. At the same time, shift the shifter to first by pushing the pedal down, then accelerate slightly as you release the clutch, until the motorcycle begins to move. At this point, continue to accelerate and release the clutch completely.
Do not be in a hurry to lift your hand from the clutch; keep coordinating throttle and clutch until the bike moves. As the vehicle picks up speed, continue to release the pressure on the clutch gradually and slowly
Step 4. Shift into a higher gear
When you have reached enough speed to require a gear change, close the throttle while pressing the clutch. Place the toe of your left foot under the gear lever, lifting it to its full extent. You can continue to increase the gear by moving the shift lever up again. With one jump you will pass to second, with another to third, then to fourth and so on.
- If the bike is in first gear and you only raise the lever halfway, you will put the gear in neutral.
- If you release the clutch and accelerate, but nothing happens, the bike is in neutral, so press the clutch and lift the gear lever again.
- If you accidentally skip a gear, don't worry. You will not cause damage to the bike if you accelerate until you reach the gear you have entered.
Step 5. Downshift to a lower gear
Close the throttle while pressing the clutch. Push down on the shift lever, then return it to the neutral position. Playing with the clutch and throttle, match the gear to the speed you are traveling at. If you are about to stop, don't accelerate, hold the clutch and keep pressing and releasing the shift lever until you engage first gear.
Method 2 of 2: Semi-Automatic Transmission
Step 1. Learn what you need to do
To shift gears with a semi-automatic transmission, simply crank the engine up to the desired rpm and use the gearbox. In this type of transmission, the clutch is connected to the gearbox, so using the lever at the left pedal, you will operate both systems.
Step 2. Turn on the motorcycle
Saddle up and make sure neutral is engaged.
Step 3. Engage first gear
This is a very simple operation: you just need to accelerate and push the gear lever down for a single click. The first is always located "below" the gearbox, while to engage the other gears, you will have to move the lever upwards.
Step 4. Shift into a higher gear
To do this, follow the same procedure used to put the first one. Accelerate and push the gear lever up with your toe. With one click you will insert the second, with another the third and so on.
Step 5. Downshift to a lower gear
To slow down and eventually stop, you can shift into a lower gear by pushing the gear lever down. Always leave the bike in neutral when you are stationary.
Advice
- When the bike is in first gear, always keep the knuckles of your right hand pointing upwards, especially if you are a beginner, so as not to accelerate too much.
- When the engine is cold, do not accelerate at full throttle, or you could damage it. Let it warm up first!
- One shift of the gearbox equals one gear. You cannot go from first to fifth by continuing to hold the lever up. You must let it return to neutral after each change.
- When traveling at very high speeds, begin to brake gently with the front brake and continue to tighten the caliper progressively until you have reached the desired speed. Use the rear brake lightly to stabilize the bike.
- When the light turns green, always look left and right, to make sure no one tries to cross the intersection late.
- Some modern motorcycles have a digital monitor in the dashboard that indicates the gear engaged.
- If your bike has a special gearbox, you will need to learn how to use it.
- Modern motorcycles share braking almost entirely on the front brake. The rear brake at high speeds is ineffective.
- Get in the habit of downshifting when the wheels are still moving. In some cases, when a motorcycle stops moving, the "teeth" of the gears line up in a position that makes downshifting impossible.
- Stay always in first when you stop at a traffic light. This way you will be ready to move in the event of an accident behind you.
Warnings
- When you shift into a higher gear, listen to your engine. If you hear a low volume growl, scale. If you feel the pistons spinning, you need to shift into an even higher gear.
- When you put the neutral from the first, be sure to release the clutch slowly to make sure you are in neutral. If the bike had a gear engaged and you released the clutch quickly, the vehicle would shut down (at best) or jump forward unexpectedly.
- If you don't shift into a higher gear when the engine runs on the limiter, you risk breaking it.
- When you downshift gear, only do it one gear at a time.
- If your gear changes are slightly abrupt, try operating the throttle and clutch more smoothly.
