Out of all the challenges that new riders face, learning how to shift gears seems to be one of the most intimidating.
The clutch, the throttle, the foot movement, the timing! – it can all seem like too much to manage.
This is actually one of the things I struggled with for a while after I first started riding when my GoPro caught me letting go of the throttle every time I shifted gears.
Now with over 10,000 miles under my belt, I have mastered shifting on my motorcycle (barring the occasional neutral bomb on the way to second), even learning how to rev-match on the way down.
And for any rider hoping to do the same, I offer this guide as well as a few tips to help you shift your motorcycle like a pro.
The Process of Shifting Gears on a Motorcycle
First things first, what is the process for shifting gears on a motorcycle?
Shifting gears on a motorcycle involves a coordinated dance between the clutch lever, throttle, gear shifter, and the rider’s sense of timing. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare to Shift Before you even touch the gear shifter, make sure you’re at the right speed for the gear change. If you’re accelerating, you’ll want to shift up, and if you’re slowing down, you’ll want to shift down.
Step 2: Clutch In Gently pull in the clutch lever with your left hand to disengage the engine from the transmission. This allows you to shift gears without damaging the gearbox.
Step 3: Throttle Off As you pull in the clutch, ease off the throttle with your right hand. This reduces the engine’s RPMs and prepares the bike for a smooth gear change.
Step 4: Shift Gears Use your left foot to press the gear shifter up or down to select the desired gear. For most bikes, you’ll press down to shift into first gear and up to shift into higher gears.
Step 5: Clutch Out and Throttle On Slowly release the clutch lever while simultaneously rolling on the throttle. This should be a smooth motion to avoid jerking the bike. As you become more experienced, you’ll learn to match the engine’s RPMs to the wheel speed for even smoother shifts.
Step 6: Repeat as Necessary Continue this process as you accelerate through the gears or downshift as needed.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t be discouraged by the occasional missed gear or stall; even experienced riders make mistakes. With time and practice, you’ll find the rhythm that works for you and your bike.
Tips for Success:
- Listen to Your Bike: Pay attention to the sound of the engine; it will tell you when it’s time to shift.
- Feel the Ride: You’ll start to sense when the bike needs a gear change based on how it feels.
- Stay Relaxed: Tension in your hands can make clutch and throttle control more difficult.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you ride, the more intuitive gear shifting will become.
With these steps and tips, you’ll be shifting gears smoothly and confidently in no time.
How to Shift Gears Smoothly on a Motorcycle
As you become more comfortable with your motorcycle and the process of shifting gears, you will naturally become more smooth with it. But there are also a few tips and things you can practice to become even more smooth with your gear shifts.
Understand Your Bikes RPMs, Gears, and Speed – Pay attention to the RPMs, speed, and gear of your motorcycle when it’s bogging down, hitting the powerband, and getting close to the redline. You will eventually learn where your engine likes to be just by the feel and sound. Armed with this knowledge, you will naturally get better at shifting as you will understand the range of speed and RPM’s you can shift into, making the next few steps even easier.
Preload the Shift Lever – Timing is everything when shifting, and the time it takes to bring your foot down to the shift lever can have an impact on how smoothly you can get this timing down. Preloading the shift lever – or applying slight pressure before the shift – can not only help you get the timing better, it also helps the engine and transmission shift more smoothly.
Practice “Blipping” and “Chopping “Throttle – Whether you’re downshifting or upshifting, throttle movement plays a huge role in how smooth the gear change will be. During a gear change, your throttle control allows you to match your engine speed to your wheel speed. On a downshift, adding a quick and small twist of the throttle before shifting down can help the engine come up to speed to match the change into the lower gear. On upshifts, giving a short and deliberate chop to the throttle is all you need to help the gears sync up smoothly.
Practice, Practice, Practice – Finally, practice makes perfect. As you get mileage under your belt and continue to practice shifting for different scenarios, you will start to build the muscle memory that allows you to make those finite adjustments. Before long, you will be shifting like a pro.
By understanding and practicing these skills, you will dramatically improve how smoothly you shift gears.
How to Know When to Shift on a Motorcycle
I remember feeling like something was off with how my bike was handling, so I let my experienced riding buddy take it up the street to see how she felt. I was not prepared for how cool my bike sounded with him riding it. All of a sudden my z650, “the worst-sounding 650cc in its class”, sounded like a proper sportbike. And it was all because he was shifting at a higher RPM. As it turns out, I was shifting way too early on each upshift. I was probably bogging the bike down more than I realized. At that moment I was no longer worried about the handling issue, I was more interested in making my bike sound like how it did with my friend riding it
One of the biggest things riders struggle with when it comes to learning how to shift their motorcycle is knowing when to shift.
And you can easily find this out with a quick read of the motorcycle manual for your bike – which is often extremely modest and wrong.
But I have found that…
The easiest way to know when to shift your motorcycle is to actually run it through the gears. Put it in first and see how fast she can go before you get close to the redline. Then switch to second and do the same. Pay extra attention to the speed, RPMs, and sound of the motorcycle. Congratulations, you just discovered the acceptable range of speed and RPMs you can shift at in each gear. Don’t be afraid to shift later and at a higher RPM. As long as you’re not riding around at redline, you are not hurting your engine. And chances are, it sounds better and feels better when you shift at higher RPMs.
After going through this quick test, you can easily remember the acceptable speeds at which you can shift into second, third, fourth, and back down. Even better, you will be able to feel and hear when your motorcycle wants to shift, and you can stop looking at the speedo.
And if you’re still too scared to rev your bike too high, watch a few YouTube videos of someone riding your exact bike. You will quickly hear how it should sound as you shift through the gears.
The Common Mistakes and Challenges of Shifting Gears on a Motorcycle
Mistake 1: Stalling the Engine
- What Happens: The engine cuts out when the clutch is released too quickly without proper throttle.
- Tip: Gradually release the clutch while gently applying the throttle to find the sweet spot where the bike moves forward smoothly.
Mistake 2: False Neutrals
- What Happens: The gear doesn’t fully engage, leaving the bike in a limbo state between gears.
- Tip: Use a firm and positive motion when shifting gears to ensure full engagement, avoiding the half-hearted clicks that lead to false neutrals.
Mistake 3: Over Revving
- What Happens: The engine revs too high during a shift, which can lead to wear and potential control issues.
- Tip: Listen to the engine and learn the sound of the correct RPMs for shifting, aiming for smooth and controlled throttle inputs.
Mistake 4: Skipping Gears
- What Happens: Jumping over gears can cause a sudden change in speed and upset the bike’s balance.
- Tip: Focus on sequential shifting until you’re very comfortable with the bike’s response, then you can experiment with skipping gears where appropriate.
Mistake 5: Not Using the Clutch Properly
- What Happens: Shifting without fully engaging the clutch can grind gears and damage the transmission.
- Tip: Always fully engage the clutch when shifting to protect your gearbox and ensure smooth transitions. With a little practice, you can feel the point where the clutch starts to engage and disengage.
Challenge 1: Downshifting While Braking
- What Happens: Balancing braking force with clutch and throttle control during downshifting can be tricky.
- Tip: Practice downshifting without braking until you’re comfortable, then gradually introduce braking while downshifting.
Challenge 2: Upshifting During Acceleration
- What Happens: It’s challenging to time your shifts with the power curve of the motorcycle.
- Tip: Pay attention to the bike’s performance and feel for the right moment to shift, which usually comes naturally with more riding experience.
Challenge 3: Riding in the Correct Gear
- What Happens: New riders often find themselves in the wrong gear, affecting performance and fuel efficiency.
- Tip: Learn the speed range of each gear on your motorcycle and practice maintaining the right gear for your speed and riding conditions.
Challenge 4: Rev Matching
- What Happens: Matching the engine speed to the wheel speed when downshifting is an advanced skill.
- Tip: Start by practicing rev matching at lower speeds and build up as you gain confidence. It’s all about timing and feeling the bike.
By addressing each mistake and challenge with these targeted tips, you’ll be on your way to mastering the art of gear shifting on your motorcycle.
Common questions
Do you need to downshift when stopping a motorcycle? Yes, it’s important to downshift as you slow down to stop. This ensures that you’re in the correct gear if you need to move again and the engine braking helps with smooth and controlled stopping.
Is motorcycle shifting hard? Shifting gears on a motorcycle can be challenging for beginners, but with practice, it becomes a natural part of riding. The difficulty lies in coordinating the clutch, throttle, and gear lever, which gets easier over time.
Do you have to pull the clutch every time you shift a motorcycle? Generally, yes. The clutch disengages the engine from the transmission, allowing you to shift gears smoothly. However, experienced riders may perform clutchless shifts under certain conditions, but this is not recommended for beginners.
What is a shift pattern on a motorcycle? Most motorcycles have a “1 down, 5 up” shift pattern, meaning the first gear is down from neutral, and the rest are up. However, some bikes may have different patterns, so it’s best to consult the owner’s manual.
How do you know what gear you’re in on a motorcycle? Some motorcycles have gear indicators on the dashboard. If not, riders learn to recognize gear positions by feel and the sound of the engine. It’s a skill that develops with experience.
What gear do you stop a motorcycle in? You should stop a motorcycle in first gear. This allows you to be ready to move off again quickly if needed.
Conclusion
Shifting gears on a motorcycle may seem daunting at first, but it’s a skill that becomes second nature with practice. Remember, every rider starts as a beginner, and it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. Take your time, be patient with yourself, and practice regularly in a safe environment. Before you know it, you’ll be shifting gears smoothly and riding with confidence.
Keep learning, keep riding, and most importantly, enjoy the journey on two wheels. Ride safe!