How to Shift Gears on a Motorcycle

One of the major obstacles for new motorcycle riders is the clutch and gearshift. If you are proficient at driving a car with a manual transmission, the switch to a motorcycle won't be that hard for you, once you can wrap your mind around the fact that your hand operates the clutch, and your foot operates the gearshift. If you are unfamiliar with a manual transmission, this task may take a lot longer for you to master than other riders.

First, you want to familiarize yourself with the brakes, clutch and shifter on your bike. Your front brakes are operated by the lever on your right handlebar. Your back brakes are operated by the pedal on your right floorboard, or just in front of your right foot-peg. Your clutch is the lever on the left handlebar, and your gearshift is the lever on your left floorboard, or just in front of your left foot-peg. I tell new riders to remember that left equals 'go,' and right equals 'stop.'

When you start the bike, you'll need to have your left hand holding in the clutch, and your right hand will hold in the brake. Start the bike, and let off the brake once the bike is steady. Gently release the clutch, while increasing the throttle (which is located on your right handgrip). This technique is known as 'feathering' the clutch. As you give the bike more throttle, and continue to release the clutch, the bike will slowly start to move. Keep your feet on the ground to steady the bike until you get going. When you first start learning to ride, this may take a few seconds. Once you have a lot of practice under your belt, you can take off straight away.

Once you are moving, you're going to need to shift gears as you pick up speed. You'll be able to hear and feel the transmission as it gets to the top of the gear. Once you are ready to shift, let off the throttle pull in the clutch, and shift the bike. To shift to a higher gear, you raise the shifter up, to shift to a lower gear, you'll push the shifter down. After you've shifted gears, let off the clutch, and resume twisting the throttle.

Now you're riding! However, you're going to have to stop sometime. To do this, you'll need to down-shift. As the bike slows down, you'll be able to hear and feel the need to shift to a lower gear. If you go too slow in a gear, the bike engine will 'lug' as you twist the throttle. Downshifting is basically the same as upshifting - release the throttle, pull in the clutch, shift gears, release the clutch and twist the throttle again.

This may seem very difficult to a beginner. The best advice is to find a riding coach and a large empty parking lot. Get lots of practice before you take your new skills to the street. Good luck!