Q&A for How to Shift Gears on a Motorcycle

Typically, first gear is at the bottom, followed by neutral, then second through fifth. Some motorcycles have a sixth gear.

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.

Yes, the bike will kick forward quickly, then stall.

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.

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.

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.

Put the bike into neutral (a small half click between first and second gear).

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.

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.

Yes; when you are changing gears you need to close the throttle and change gears, then depress the throttle again.

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.

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.

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).

You can combine both to stop, but the back brake is mainly used for controlled driving at slow speeds, i.e., roundabouts.

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.

Yes. You should squeeze it tightly. Neutral is located directly between first and second, so you're required to make a tight shift.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Press the rear brake until you release the clutch and the bike starts moving. This will take practice.

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.

Nothing. Don’t worry about that. Using a kick starter is good for your engine! Use it at least twice a week.

Yes, by shifting gears without sinking the clutch you can damage your gear system. It will also be harder to change gears.

Yes. Modern high-end motorcycles have a quick-shift technique where all you do is leave the throttle, then turn it again quickly.

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.

Yes, it damages the clutch plate of the bike slowly. It is always advisable to start your bike on the first gear only.