12
RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES
for neutral, which is selected by either
a “half lift” from 1st gear or a “half
press” from 2nd gear. Most motorcycles
have five gears, but some have four or
six gears.
As your motorcycle increases
speed, you will need to shift up to a
higher gear. Shift up well before the
engine RPM reaches its maximum
recommended speed. As a general rule,
shift up soon enough to avoid over-
revving the engine, but not so soon to
cause the engine to lug.
When upshifting, use a 3-step
process:
1) Roll off the throttle as you
squeeze the clutch lever, 2) lift the
shift lever firmly as far as it will go, 3)
smoothly ease out the clutch and adjust
the throttle. Once the shift is completed,
release the shift lever to permit it to
reset for the next shift.
You should shift down through the
gears with the clutch as you slow or
stop, and can also shift down when you
need more power to accelerate.
Make certain you are riding slowly
enough when you shift into a lower
gear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch,
and the rear wheel may skid. When
riding downhill or shifting into first gear
you may need to use the brakes to slow
enough before downshifting safely.
When downshifting, use a 3-step
process:
1) Roll off the throttle as you
squeeze the clutch lever, 2) press the
shift lever down firmly, 3) ease out the
clutch lever as you roll on the throttle.
Once the shift is completed, release
the shift lever to permit it to reset for
the next shift. Rolling on the throttle
slightly while smoothly easing out the
clutch can help the engine come up
to speed more quickly and make the
downshift smoother. Shifting to a lower
gear causes an effect similar to using
the brakes. This is known as engine
braking. To use engine braking, shift
down one gear at a time and ease out
the clutch through the friction zone
between each downshift. Keep the
clutch in the friction zone until the
engine speed stabilizes. Then ease out
the lever fully until ready for the next
downshift. Usually you shift gears one at
a time, but it is possible to shift through
more than one gear while the clutch is
squeezed.
Remain in first gear while you are
stopped so that you can move out
quickly if you need to.
Work toward a smooth, even clutch
release, especially when downshifting. It
is best to change gears before entering
a turn. However, sometimes shifting
while in the turn is necessary. If so,
remember to do so smoothly. A sudden
change in power to the rear wheel can
cause a skid.
Braking
Improper braking technique remains
a significant contributing factor in many
motorcycle crashes. Your motorcycle
has two brake controls: one for the
front wheel and one for the rear wheel.
Always use both brakes every time you
SHIFTING GEARS
