The vast majority of the bikes, which are not scooters  or electric bikes or automatic motorbikes, have a manual gearbox , a mechanism that allows us to select the gear or relationship we need at all times.

This manual operation requires some technique and coordination, but with practice it becomes a natural and instinctive process that will allow us to get the most out of our motorcycle's engine.



The basic elements

In the shift gears on a motorcycle into action three basic elements: the  accelerator , the clutch and shifter . Or what is the same: the right hand, the left hand and the left foot.


The combination of each one of them is what allows the motorcycle to transmit the rotation of the engine following a longer or shorter gear, that is, using gears of greater or lesser travel.


The 6 or 7 positions offering a gearbox, depending on the model, only leaves a separate rotation of the motor and the rotation of the rear wheel, called neutral position or neutral . The only position that allows the bike to not move if the engine is running and the bike to move if the engine is off.


In a motorcycle, the clutch is actuated by acting on the left lever, which frees the connection between the engine and the transmission., and we move the gear lever up or down to select the gearbox position, locating the gear ratio as follows:


6th gear (if the model offers it)

5th gear

4th gear

3rd gear

2nd gear

Neutral

1st gear

How to change gears on a motorcycle

To change gear on a motorcycle we must put into action the three elements that we mentioned above (accelerator, clutch and gear lever) in the following order.


We actuate the clutch with the left hand (thus we separate the rotation of the engine from that of the transmission).

We stop accelerating with the right hand (the engine lowers revolutions while the clutch is still engaged).

We select the desired gear with the left foot, up or down.

We release the clutch gradually and little by little (left hand).

We accelerate gradually and at the same time we release the clutch (right hand)

We continue to accelerate in the new gear until we need another and repeat the process.

These are the six essential steps to changing gears. A process where smooth movement is essential and for which there is only one way to achieve perfection: practice and repeat ,  over and over again , until the movements become automatic for our brain.


Practice and repeat everything you need in a safe and lonely place, such as a deserted parking lot or an empty esplanade, until the whole process is under control. Only then will your mind relax and you will assimilate each step until they are all one: change gears.


At the beginning you will not know how much you have to accelerate or at what speed, how much you have to engage and disengage or at what speed, or how smooth to make the movements. Practice, only then will you come to feel what is necessary at all times.

 


FAQ and Tips

If you haven't done it already by the time you start practicing shifting quickly, you'll ask yourself all these questions. Maybe here you can solve them.


How should I start the motorcycle?

The best position to start the motorcycle, the safest and most recommended, is with the gearbox in the neutral position, this way you will prevent the motorcycle from moving abruptly and stalling when starting the engine. If you want to start with a gear already selected, you have to engage the clutch at the same time as you turn on the ignition.


How do I know when to change gears?

It depends on whether you want to shift up or down. When downshifting, you have to stop accelerating well in advance to slow down and then engage a lower gear.


Shifting up should be when the engine is at roughly the rate and revs to deliver enough torque and power to smoothly pull up a higher gear. It also depends on how much you want to stretch the gear until you move on to a new one. For normal use, it is advisable not to rev the engine too much. Only practice will allow you to instinctively do it.


What happens if the motorcycle stalls?

Nothing bad, don't worry, but you have to react quickly. The moment a gear is in gear, the engine is moving but the rear wheel is not, or you have been too rough on the clutch, the engine will stall and shut down, stopping in its tracks. Be cautious if there is more traffic following you. Quickly engage the clutch so that the bike continues to move by inertia even with the engine stopped, start the engine again, select the gear and continue riding as soon as possible. Practice will get you on quickly.


How do I find the neutral position?

All motorcycles indicate with a green light indicator and the letter N on their instrument panel when the neutral position is selected. Even many motorcycles today indicate the gear in gear at all times. Finding the neutral point is sometimes not easy and it also depends on each gearbox. It is an intermediate point between the first and second relationships but sometimes, when the lever is operated with too much force, that point can jump and engage 1st or 2nd by passing the neutral. The touch with the left foot is something that you also have to train to achieve greater effectiveness, press gently when looking for neutral and soon you will do it instinctively.


Can I change more than one gear at a time?

Nothing happens if you skip a gear and change two at the same time. But keep in mind that if you go down two gears at the same time the reduction will be very abrupt and the engine will rev a lot, and that if you go up two gears at the same time the engine will not have enough power to move such a long development. It is not the smoothest way to run the engine but you can get to take advantage of it.


Should I leave a gear in gear when leaving the motorcycle parked?

There is no problem in leaving the bike in neutral when you park it on level ground with no slope. However, if there is some slope for greater peace of mind it is advisable to leave a gear engaged, preferably 1st, and thus prevent the motorcycle from moving the least.

Also, you may like:

1. Tips To Avoid Seizing The Engine Of A Motorcycle

2. Types of motorcycle clutches

3. The essential parts that every biker should take on his tri