Shifting gears on a motorcycle?

Question

Just started learning how to ride a motorcycle and I have a few questions.

I've sort of the got the hang of it, I've just noticed when I switch gears.. it's not smooth. Any tips?

When going from 1st to 2nd.. I hold in the clutch and kick up. What should my throttle hand be doing? Keep it the same? Release it?

If I release it and gradually bring it back up.. should the clutch be held in at all? Or just for that split second when I change gears?

Answer 1

okay, i'll try and explain the best i can. When you are shifting up, you let off the throttle completely, pull in the clutch, kick up, let out the clutch and then increase the throttle. When you are shifting down its the same except you kick down and let out the clutch a little slower.

Answer 2

When you upshift, you squeeze the clutch handle, let off the throttle, shift, then let out the clutch and at the SAME time, give it the gas again. If you let the engine RPMs stay down after letting off the gas, it will jerk when you shift. So you have to give it gas at the same time you're letting the clutch out again. it's a simultaneous movement. You don't keep it the same, and you just release it momentarily to shift, then hit the throttle again as you release the clutch. It's just much quicker on a motorcycle than a car. Once you hit it right a few times, you'll know what I mean.

- The Gremlin Guy - Former Honda 350 / 750 rider

Answer 3

when you are shifting pull the clutch and sanctimoniously release gas and **** then what i do is when i release the clutch i count to 5 while smoothly releasing, and when at 3 start trottle

Answer 4

Purely as an example, if you are doing 20mph, that might equate to 3500 rpm in first or 1500 rpm in second. If you change gear to second with the revs stable at 3500 rpm you will not have a smooth change as the engine is suddenly put under a heavy load (from the transmission). What you should be doing is reducing the throttle to a rev range which would equate to the same speed in the new gear – 1500 rpm. These figures are only for example there will be a world of difference depending on the bike and you don't have to get it exactly right, a little practice will give you the idea.

Once you are moving you really do not need to let out the clutch slowly it is almost one swift squeeze and release, but in order to avoid a wheelie you must have reduced the revs during this process and then bring the revs up smoothly. As you gain confidence and experience you will be able to increase the throttle quicker to really experience the potential but it is still a smooth progressive action no savage twists.

Changing down is a similar process you need to match revs to the relative speed that a particular gear would produce, as you change down a slight blip in the throttle before releasing the clutch will make the transition smoother. Changing from 4th to 1st in one go would only really be necessary before a hairpin or coming to a stop, if you want a really swift overtake changing down 2 gears at most will set you up for a swift pull away.

Answer 5

Once you are moving you don't have to gentlly release the clutch.  Pull the lever in-click the next gear with your foot-and (never stop touching the clutch lever) let the clutch return forward under its own force.  This is all a very fast action.  When accelerating- as soon as you pull the clutch in let off the throttle, then once the shift is made and you're letting off the clutch-open the throttle again.  One thing that might be taking the smoothness out of it might be how far you are pulling the clutch in.  Except taking off in 1st, you never have to pull the clutch in all the way again.  From 2nd-6th, only pull the clutch in about 20%.  In fact once rolling you can shift without using the clutch at all.  A technique many drag racers use to shift faster.

    You can shift more than 1 time while holding the clutch in.  I have rarely found it useful except when performing an unexpected stop- where you are hard on the brakes when in a high gear.

    Smooth , fast and efficient shifting is all about timming, coordination and feel.  Imagine a pulley system- a rope with the ends in your hands wrapped around a tree.  Pull with your left hand and the right hand goes out.  Same thing here: Left hand pulls the clutch backwards and the right hand pushes the throttle forward-the shift is made-and the left hand allows the clutch to travel forward and your right hand moves the throttle rearward.  It becomes second nature with experience and is like a reflex.  Something you don't even think about.  You do it by "feel". I hope this answered your question.

Answer 6

Since you have two different answer, I just had to say that gremlinguy is absolutely right.  It is done simultaneously.  Not one after the other.  You don't completely put the throttle all the way off either when up-shifting..