49
Operation
Shifting Gears
Shifting Gears While Driving
1. Start the engine. See page 47.
2. With the engine at idle speed, apply the front brakes.
3. Disengage the clutch (pull the clutch lever fully toward the handlebar).
4. Push the toe lever downward until you feel it stop in first gear.
5. Release the brake lever.
6. Simultaneously release the clutch lever while opening the throttle (rolling the throttle
control grip rearward) in one smooth motion. As the clutch begins to engage, the
motorcycle will move forward.
7. To shift to a higher gear, accelerate smoothly to the recommended shift point. See
Recommended Shift Points
chart. With a quick motion, simultaneously close the throttle
completely and disengage the clutch. Raise the toe shift lever until you feel it stop at the
next gear. Simultaneously release the clutch lever and open the throttle in one smooth
motion.
Tip:
Within the recommended speed ranges (see Recommended Shift Points chart), you can downshift
to slow the motorcycle or to increase power. You may want to downshift when climbing a hill or
passing. Downshifting also helps to decrease speed when combined with closing the throttle.
8. To shift to a lower gear (downshift), simultaneously pull the clutch lever toward the
handlebar and close the throttle. Move the toe shift lever downward until you feel it stop
at the next gear. Simultaneously release the clutch lever while opening the throttle.
WARNING!
Downshifting improperly could cause transmission damage, loss of traction and loss of
control, which could result in serious injury or death.
• Reduce speed before downshifting. Always downshift within the recommended shift points.
• Use extreme caution when downshifting on wet, slippery or other low traction surfaces. Release the
clutch lever very gradually in these conditions.
• Avoid downshifting in a curve. Downshift before entering the curve.
Recommended Shift Points
Upshifting (Accelerating)
Downshifting (Decelerating)
Gear Change
Recommended
Speed
Gear Change
Recommended Speed
1 to 2
17 MPH (27 km/h)
6 to 5
40 MPH (65 km/h)
2 to 3
24 MPH (38 km/h)
5 to 4
35 MPH (56 km/h)
3 to 4
35 MPH (57 km/h)
4 to 3
29 MPH (47 km/h)
4 to 5
41 MPH (66 km/h)
3 to 2
20 MPH (33 km/h)
5 to 6
50 MPH (81 km/h)
2 to 1
10 MPH (16 km/h)
