How to change UP gears (accelerating)
Step 1: Release the resistance from the throttle. Not necessarily rolling off completely
Step 2: Pull the clutch lever in
Step 3: Hooking your left foot under the gear lever so it’s resting on the top of your big toe, click it up – you’ll feel the next gear engage
Step 4: Slowly release the clutch lever while…
Step 5: …pulling back gently on the throttle
How to change DOWN gears (decelerating)
Step 1: Roll off the throttle
Step 2: If you need to slow at a greater rate, squeeze the front brake lever
Step 3: Pull the clutch lever in
Step 4: Placing the ball of your foot on the gear lever, push down and feel the gear engage
Step 5: Release the clutch unless you are at walking pace or stationary while still in gear
When to shift gears on a motorcycle, at what rpm?
When accelerating, especially in a low gear, a bike will quickly reach peak torque, which is when the maximum amount of thrust from the engine is available, usually around 75 - 90% of the total revs (rpm). If you didn’t change gear and carried on accelerating, you’d reach peak revs and the bike would stop accelerating. So, you require the next higher gear to continue the rate of acceleration. The same when decelerating; as you brake for a junction, roundabout, traffic lights, for instance, you can change down the gears to help the engine braking but also so you are then ready to accelerate away.
Motorcycle gear changing tips
- Remember, neutral (i.e. no gear) is between first and second gear either going up the gearbox or back down, so your input between these gears needs to be quite direct so as not to catch neutral.
- You don’t have to change one gear at a time, so long as the clutch lever is pulled in you can up or down-shift by as many as you want, just remember to match the revs accordingly
- The higher the gear, the longer the gap between gear changes, i.e. when continuously accelerating you won’t need first gear for long
- As a general rule, on a low capacity bike, 1st gear for up to 10mph, 2nd for up to 20mph.
- Don't worry if you miss a gear, modern gear boxes are robust.
- When buying motorcycle boots check size of top of boot. Does it fit nicely under your gear lever? You need to be able to feel the lever.
- Quickshifters are becoming more common on modern bikes, which allow for clutchless gear changes.