C L U T C H A N D G E A R S H I F T I N G
26
2-5
OPERA
TION: FEA
TURES, CONTR
OLS & INDIC
A
T
ORS
The following is a summary of procedures to be used to get under way and shift gears properly:
• ALWAYS FULLY DISENGAGE THE HAND CLUTCH LEVER (SQUEEZED FULLY INTO HANDLEBAR GRIPS)
BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS.
• NEVER GET UNDER WAY FROM A STANDSTILL IN ANY OTHER GEAR EXCEPT FIRST GEAR.
1.
Start engine per procedures listed in Section 2-4 and maintain vehicle in a full upright position at engine idle
with gear shifter in NEUTRAL position, physically seated and straddling the vehicle.
2.
Squeeze clutch lever to the fully disengaged position with left hand (Figures
2
).
3.
With the left foot, push the gear shifter foot lever down as far as it will go and release it to return to its “rest”
position (Figure
3
). You should now be in first gear.
4.
Slowly release the clutch lever in your left hand to allow the clutch mechanism to gradually engage.
5.
At the same time, slowly twist the right engine throttle control grip counterclockwise (toward operator) to
increase engine speed (Figures
9 . 1
and
9 . 3
).
6.
As the vehicle gets under way, continue to increase engine speed. Move feet onboard to their normal operating
positions.
7.
Begin the process of shifting from first to second gear after the vehicle has progressed a few yards. Primarily,
first gear is used to get the vehicle moving forward and stabilized under operator control.
8.
Simultaneously decelerate the engine (by twisting throttle control grip all the way clockwise, away from the
operator) and disengage the clutch (by squeezing the clutch lever all the way into the control grip).
9.
Lift the foot gear shift lever to its full up position and release. This should put the vehicle into
second gear.
.
.
.
.
AmIronOwnerManual_body_06.qxp 5/22/2006 9:23 AM Page 26
