Q&A for How to Shift Gears on a Motorcycle

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  • Question
    What’s the shifting pattern on a motorcycle?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Typically, first gear is at the bottom, followed by neutral, then second through fifth. Some motorcycles have a sixth gear.
  • Question
    How do I shift gears smoothly?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    One way to do it is to pull the clutch while releasing the throttle. While you’re still holding the clutch, shift into the next gear. Then, slowly release the clutch lever while twisting the throttle.
  • Question
    Will I cause any problem if I release the clutch quickly?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, the bike will kick forward quickly, then stall.
  • Question
    Will my bike's motor be damaged if I shift gears quickly?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Your bike's motor will be fine if you keep it running while shifting, but the motor may stall or shut off if you try to shift gears at very low speeds.
  • Question
    How do I know when to shift to the next gear?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Each gear has a speed limit; if the gear has reached its peak, you will hear it in the sound of the bike. If you are going to shift upward in gear, you'll get a feeling as if something is pulling the bike back; that is the time the gear is at its maximum potential.
  • Question
    Should the motorcycle be in neutral when I start it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Not necessarily. You can either put your bike in neutral or any other gear. Just remember to pull the clutch in before you start the bike while in other gears (except neutral). Bring the gear all the way down to the first if you want to accelerate the bike after starting the bike.
  • Question
    How can I move with a motorcycle, then stop and then start moving again?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Put the bike into neutral (a small half click between first and second gear).
  • Question
    What motorcycle should I get as a beginner? I have never been on one, but I'm interested in trying.
    Theresa Tobollik
    Theresa Tobollik
    Community Answer
    You always need to consider which type of riding you want to do: street, long trips, off road, etc. For beginners, it's also good to get a lightweight bike in order to get some confidence riding. Also, it's recommended to not get a brand new one for the first year. Get a brand that is very common in your country, as it will be easier to have it maintained.
  • Question
    What do I do if my bike is running in second gear and I suddenly see a speed breaker?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Brake and go into first gear. Or, if you have enough practice, you can brake and stay in the same gear, just be sure to hold down the clutch to prevent the bike from stalling and release it as you throttle after you cross the speedbreaker. Generally, you shouldn't need to shift gears for a speed breaker.
  • Question
    When changing gears, do I stop accelerating to kick it into each gear while holding down the clutch?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes; when you are changing gears you need to close the throttle and change gears, then depress the throttle again.
  • Question
    What happens if I shift from 1st gear to 3rd gear?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You cannot do that in a sequential transmission. Each gear change from 1st to 3rd or 3rd to first requires going through 2nd and neutral.
  • Question
    What do I do if my bike is running in fourth gear and I see a speed breaker?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Decrease your speed by slowly pulling off the throttle. You can also go from fourth gear to first or second to have an easier time stopping.
  • Question
    What gear should I use when I'm going downward?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Going downhill can be in any gear, but it's advisable you proceed downhill in the first gear while shadowing the throttle along with your break (just in case).
  • Question
    When do I use the front brake and rear brake?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can combine both to stop, but the back brake is mainly used for controlled driving at slow speeds, i.e., roundabouts.
  • Question
    How can you tell what gear you are in?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Some bikes indicate the current gear on the dashboard; otherwise, there is no other visual indication. A sense of speed and engine revs, which you'll learn through experience, may give anidea of the chosen gear.
  • Question
    Whenever I shift the gear upward from first gear to second gear, should I shift it tightly? I heard by shifting the gear very loosely, it will go to neutral again. Is that true?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. You should squeeze it tightly. Neutral is located directly between first and second, so you're required to make a tight shift.
  • Question
    If I am going in third gear and I let off the clutch suddenly, what will happen?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you're going into third gear and releasing the clutch suddenly, the engine will stall out if you're not applying throttle, or you might do a wheelie if you're giving too much throttle.
  • Question
    How do I downshift on a motorcycle?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You slowly ease up off the throttle (do not rev while changing gears, as this will damage the gear blocks), sink the clutch, sink the gear shift downward, and then release the clutch.
  • Question
    At what speed should the gears be changed from 3rd to 4th?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It depends on your motorcycle's engine capacity. In my 125cc bike it's around 30km/h, but might be around 60km/h on an 800cc bike. Read your bike's user manual for more information.
  • Question
    Which motorcycle gear should I use when I'm going uphill?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It depends on the slope incline and your speed while climbing, but it would be best if you start with first gear and change to second as your speed increases. Don't drive uphill on gears above third for safety reasons unless you are an experienced rider.
  • Question
    How do I shift into neutral?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Neutral is between first gear and second gear, so shift up once; just watch out to not shift twice, as you'll be in second gear. If you're in neutral, then go back to first by going down on shift.
  • Question
    How do you downshift from 1st gear to neutral?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    First gear is as low as you can go; you can not go to -1. The most common shift pattern is one down, four up. When in first, a full stroke up will enter second gear. If only one-half of a stroke is applied the result is neutral gear. If in second gear a full down stroke gets first gear, and one-half stroke gets neutral. Same for one up, four down transmission only in reverse.
  • Question
    Can you drive the bike on any gear within the city limits?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Technically you can drive a motorbike in any gear. However, as long as it is at the speed limit, and your not revving it like mad then you should be fine.
  • Question
    What is the best way to do a smooth hill start from a complete stop?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Press the rear brake until you release the clutch and the bike starts moving. This will take practice.
  • Question
    Can I shift two gears up in one shifting?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. If you try shifting from, say, first to third, you could damage the gear box or even stall the bike. Some bikers will go from first to third by rev matching, but this is dangerous, and could even lead to you being thrown from the bike.
  • Question
    What happens if I start my motorcycle with a power starter instead of kick starting it?
    Dellip Kumar
    Dellip Kumar
    Community Answer
    Nothing. Don’t worry about that. Using a kick starter is good for your engine! Use it at least twice a week.
  • Question
    Can you damage a motorcycle by shifting gears without sinking the clutch?
    selva ganapathy
    selva ganapathy
    Community Answer
    Yes, by shifting gears without sinking the clutch you can damage your gear system. It will also be harder to change gears.
  • Question
    Are there motorcycles where you can shift gears on the handle bars?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. Modern high-end motorcycles have a quick-shift technique where all you do is leave the throttle, then turn it again quickly.
  • Question
    How do I know what gear I'm in on a motorcycle?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The best way to keep track of this is to keep a count of how many times you upshift/downshift, but also to know how many gears your bike has. Some bikes, just like cars, have different gear boxes. Some have five gears, and others have six or more.
  • Question
    Can I damage a motorcycle by skipping first gear and starting directly from second gear?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, it damages the clutch plate of the bike slowly. It is always advisable to start your bike on the first gear only.
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