One of the most daunting sides of learning to ride a bike is how to shift gears. The same can add layers of complications for those who have zero experience with riding a motorcycle. But, there is nothing to fear. You can excel the task with practice and soon shifting gears will become much more straightforward than it looks.
The Basics of Motorcycle Gears
When shifting gear on a motorcycle, there are three basic controls that you have to pay attention to-the clutch, the throttle, and the gear selector. The throttle powers the engine, the clutch connects and disconnects the transmission, and the gear selector selects the gear. If you pull the clutch towards your left-hand side, then you can rev the motor without even moving the motorcycle forward. However, when you release the clutch while the transmission is "in gear" (i.e., not in neutral) the bike will move forward.
You can select the gear pattern by clicking a lever with your left foot. The gear patterns are laid as follows-
5th gear, 4th gear, 3rd gear, 2nd gear, NEUTRAL, and 1st gear
Here are a few tips for a smooth shift-
- Squeeze the clutch lever thoroughly with your left hand to disengage the clutch
Use the gear shift lever to select the appropriate gear - Roll on the throttle by twisting your wrist slightly toward you (starting from a flat wrist position)
- Steadily release the clutch lever with your left hand while smoothly and gradually rolling on your throttle with your right side, accelerating the bike
- Release the clutch entirely and accelerate in accordance with your engine speed. Then repeat the entire process to shift to another gear.
The procedure of shifting gear on a motorcycle is as easy as those five steps. But doing the same correctly requires a great deal of practice. Know your bike and its gear inside and out, and learn how they work. Make sure you practice riding every day so that you can excel with the same. Pick up an environment like an abandoned parking lot for your practice sessions. By doing that, you don’t have to deal with traffic or other distractions. Above all, stay safe and aware during the learning process so that you can focus on the task at hand.
With practice, you will probably find that shifting a gear more comfortable than it sounds. Once you understand where and how the clutch disengages, how much throttle is necessary for smooth acceleration, and how much power the shifter needs, the whole course will become smooth and will require less concentration.
Closing guidelines-
Practice, Practice, Practice! Your clutch lever is your best buddy. If you accelerate too abruptly, or you are just not comfortable with your practice, squeeze and hold the clutch lever completely to disengage the power from the engine to the rear wheel. Listen to your motorcycle as it will let you know when it is the time to shift. Nevertheless always wear your safety gear and keep your bike insured with a comprehensive two wheeler insurance policy. A two wheeler insurance policy
protects you against the financial losses that could occur due to unforeseen accidents.