How to Shift Gears | Motorcycle Riding

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Hi guys! I'm Joonil Park for Howcast and here are some motorcycle shifting basics. Motorcycle shifting is done with the left side of the primary controls. The left hand operates the clutch and your left foot operates the shifter. Never use the shifter without proper application of the clutch. You want to squeeze your clutch in, hold it in while changing gears, and smoothly release the clutch lever, reengaging power after your gear change. When starting from a standstill, of course you want to use first gear. It's aptly named. Make sure you let your clutch out smoothly after engaging it to first gear from a standstill. However, once you're already moving, say for example shifting from second into third, you can let your clutch out a little faster as the bike is already moving and less likely to bog down and stall out.

Most motorcycles have either five or six gears. As mentioned, first gear is on the bottom. Second gear is one full shift up from first. And, so on and so forth, moving your way up through the gears. Neutral setting, where it's a setting in the transmission where the engine is not engaged with the back wheel, is located halfway between one and two. You can bypass neutral and go directly from first to second and vice versa. The shifter does not sit in a separate position for every gear. It always resets to its designated home position. It's like pressing a button. You don't press down and then press down harder to move down two gears. You press down, release letting the shifter re-center itself, and then shift again for repeated shifts.

Practice shifting and soon it'll become second nature. The ultimate goal is to build the muscle memory so you don't have to think about it. Ultimately, through feel and sound and feedback through the motorcycle's chassis, you will know what gear you're in and shift appropriately.

[Robbieifyoucan]

This taught me more than the 20 minute videos of idiots sitting on a bike trying to explain how to shift without even pointing the camera at the foot!

[lukemathers]

wow why can't other 10+, 20+ mins videos can't be like this, this video is a masterpiece with the information exactly needed, thanks!

[dbax]

"The shifter does not sit in a separate position for every gear."

--Priceless

[CariettaW]

Short, sweet and exactly what I needed to know.

[tylerdurden]

Now I get it!! That's all I needed! All these 16 minute videos are pointless.
Thanks brother. Been riding a semi-automatic but tomorrow I get my dream bike. Much love for the quickness

[jorgemtds]

Clear, concise and to the point. Great video.

[jennergayle]

Clear, concise and extremely helpful, thank you!

[rockawaydatasystems]

"You can bypass neutral going from first to second and vice-versa" Also Priceless

[sarahsmith]

Picking up my first bike Thursday and this was insanely helpful.

[DigitalSubset]

3 years later we are all bikers evading the police with no insurance

[gaggilltronvorgog]

Think this is arguably one of the most need to know facts for beginners like my self. And being so intrigued by speed, surroundings. And a pretty bikes this part squeaks up on use all. Very well shown thanks very much.

[Sms]

Great Video....1st gear is the hardest for any beginner, bc u have to time letting that clutch out, quick and it will stall and u may flip over the friggn handlebars.

I have 3 sons who have been riding semi auto dirt bikes since they were 5. Now my 11 and 8 yr old are using the Clutch. My 6 yr old just learning now...I didn't learn to shift til I was 30 yrs old

[granolabar]

Thank you for the direct information. Other videos are over 10 minutes. Your video taught me what I needed to know quickly.

[LiveDieTrolling]

Thank you. I've been looking for a more descriptive explanation of shifting a bike. Good video!

[kunjidee]

that was excellent; and he showed how to place the foot on a sportsbike; if you're a cruiser rider and get on a sportsbike, it's a TOTALLY different feeling; seating position; angle when you ride.

[whynotbegreatjones]

That actually was a great video for beginners like myself because I definitely didn't know.

[superbikesrule]

This is the first really well explained instruction on what is shifting all about, especially when you are drawing a parallel between a car and a motorcycle gear shifting. Thx

[marianel]

thank u very much, very informative on the subject.just started new job n gonna get a mi first motorcyle n been NEEDING to ride n ride safely, thanks from NEW MEXICO great vid-\m/

[johnnytarponds]

Well explained - thank you very much for this information.

[laurenceaycardo]

although i know everything about riding a motorcycle but this video tutorial is great for those who clearly doesnt understand the meaning of smooth changing gears .