Buzz
One of the essential processes when riding a motorcycle is shifting gears. While mastering gear shifting may seem challenging, it is actually a simple skill to acquire. However, the method of shifting depends on the type of gearbox in the bike, such as whether it has a manual or semi-automatic transmission.
Steps
Shifting Gears with a Manual Transmission
Get familiar with the clutch lever, throttle, and gear shifter. The clutch lever is located in front of the left handlebar and is responsible for transferring torque from the engine to the gearbox. The throttle is found on the right handlebar. When you twist the throttle, the engine speed increases to prevent stalling. The gear shifter is the lever located in front of the left footpeg and is used to shift between gears. Practice the following actions:
- Pull in the clutch lever and release it slowly.
- Twist the throttle backward ("accelerate") to make the bike go faster.
- Twist the throttle forward ("decelerate") to slow the bike down.
- Press the gear shifter down to engage first gear. This is only correct if the bike is in neutral or second gear. In other cases, the bike will shift into a lower gear if you press down.
- Push the gear shifter up to shift into the higher gears. A common structure for manual transmissions is that first gear is pressed down, and the remaining gears (4 or 5) are shifted upward. Neutral (0) is located between first and second gear.
Start the bike by pulling the clutch lever, then press the ignition button. Make sure the bike is in neutral. Neutral is indicated by the green "N" light on the dashboard, which is a feature found on all modern bikes. At this stage, you should be sitting on the seat.
Shift into first gear. Begin by releasing the throttle and then pull in the clutch fully. Simultaneously, press down on the gear lever to shift into first gear. Gradually twist the throttle while slowly releasing the clutch until the bike starts rolling slowly. Once it does, increase the throttle more and release the clutch completely.
- Don’t rush to release the clutch completely; continue coordinating between the throttle and clutch until the bike runs smoothly. As the bike gains speed, continue to release the clutch smoothly and gradually.
Shift to higher gears. When the bike has reached enough speed to shift into a higher gear, reduce the throttle and pull in the clutch. Place your toe under the gear lever and lift it to shift into a higher gear. Each time you lift the lever, the bike will shift into the next higher gear. The first shift will be into second gear, followed by third, fourth, and so on. NOTE: Experienced riders don’t need to use the clutch when shifting to higher gears. They simply lift the gear lever lightly and, by quickly reducing the throttle, the higher gear will engage. You’ll need practice to make this action smooth, but it saves time shifting and slightly extends the clutch plate's lifespan.
- If the bike is in first gear and you lift the gear lever, it will return to neutral.
- If you release the clutch, increase the throttle, and nothing happens, the bike is in neutral. Pull in the clutch and press down on the lever to shift into first gear again.
- If you accidentally shift gears, don’t worry. The bike won’t be damaged as long as the throttle and the gear you shifted into match properly.
Downshift. Reduce the throttle as you pull in the clutch lever. Press down on the gear lever and release it. Smoothly coordinate the throttle and clutch to match the speed you're moving at. If the bike is about to stop, release the throttle, pull in the clutch, and continue pressing and releasing the gear lever until the bike returns to first gear.
Shifting with a Semi-Automatic Transmission
Learn how to use the control tools. To shift on a semi-automatic transmission bike, all you need to do is twist the throttle and operate the gear lever. In a semi-automatic transmission, the clutch is integrated with the gear lever, meaning using the lever will engage both controls simultaneously.
Turn on the bike. Use your foot to push the bike, ensuring it’s in neutral before you begin shifting.
Shift into first gear. This is a very simple process. All you need to do is twist the throttle and press up on the gear lever. Pressing down on the lever will shift the bike into first gear, while lifting the lever will move to the higher gears.
Shift to higher gears. This process is similar to shifting into first gear. Twist the throttle and use your toe to lift the gear lever. Lifting it once will shift the bike into second gear, with subsequent lifts shifting it into third, fourth, and so on.
Downshift. To slow down before coming to a complete stop, you can downshift by pressing down on the gear lever. Always return the bike to neutral once it has fully stopped.
Advice
- Riding a motorcycle requires 100% focus throughout your journey. Train your muscle memory to operate all the controls by "playing" with the bike in a safe space.
- Keep your finger joints pointed upwards, especially for beginners, to avoid twisting the throttle too much in first gear.
- When the traffic light turns green, look left and right, and check left once again to ensure no one is trying to run the yellow light. Racing in front of someone running a red light is extremely dangerous.
- The easiest way to avoid an accident while riding a motorcycle is to recognize potential hazards well in advance, or long before they actually happen to you.
- Don’t twist the throttle fully when the engine is cold, as it could damage the engine. Wait for the engine to warm up!
- Each shift or press of the lever corresponds to a single gear. You can’t jump from first to fifth gear by holding the lever. You need to release your foot for each press or lift.
- When riding at high speeds, start by gently pressing the front brake, gradually increasing pressure until the bike slows down to the desired speed. Then, gently release the brake pressure. Lightly apply the rear brake to keep the bike stable.
- Some modern motorcycles feature a digital dashboard displaying the current gear engaged.
- Modern motorcycles primarily use the front brake to stop. The rear brake has minimal effect at high speeds.
- Always leave the bike in first gear when waiting at a red light. Plan your escape and occasionally glance at your rearview mirror while waiting for the green light so you can quickly evade any potential danger behind you.
- When riding on highways or large roads, keep your focus on the road and look out for any signs of danger ahead. Occasionally check the rearview mirror to observe vehicles that may not see you.
Warning
- Listen to the engine sound when shifting to a higher gear. If the engine produces a faint growl, it’s best to downshift. If the engine roars loudly, you can shift to a higher gear.
- When shifting from first to neutral, remember to release the clutch slowly to ensure the bike is truly in neutral. If you release the clutch too quickly while the bike is still in gear, it may jerk forward unexpectedly.
- When downshifting, only shift one gear at a time.
- If you don’t shift to a higher gear when the engine reaches its RPM limit, the engine could suffer damage in the long run.
- If you hear a small "clink" sound when shifting gears, try adjusting the carburetor to fix the issue.
