Why do we need to change gears on motorcycles?

Question

does changing gears allow me to go at higher speeds? like say, if im changing from gear 1 to 2. does it mean i can go faster? or can i still go at the same speed, even i gear 1? thanks to anyone who can help.

Answer 1

to use the engine to it's best capability and achieve the best performance...

for example, I could leave my bike in 6th gear, but it would wear the clutch out a little faster, and it would be as slow as a car from 0-100 mph (after that it would pick up and get into it's power band quicker, but it could be done) or i could leave it in first, it would be crazy fast on acceleration, but it would have a top speed of 100, and want to overheat...

Answer 2

It is the exact same concept as a ten speed bicycle or mountain bike. Lower gears are easier to peddle but after a certain speed you need to change to a higher gear.

Same deal on a motorcycle but the motor is doing the peddling.

Answer 3

Why even ask.  If you have that little of a clue on how any geared vehicle works, start walking.

Answer 4

think just maybe you might need to pedal more if your not sure about gears....first gear is like 10 miles per hour

Answer 5

Picture a Mountain bike.  The large gear on the rear tire would be first.  It is the easiest to pedal, but you don't go fast.  The smallest gear is the hardest to pedal but you go the fastest, this would be the final gear ( Five or Sixth depending on tranny. )

First gear spools up fast and easy, making the engine start the initial task of moving the weight of the bike and rider up from a dead start ***The hardest work a engine must do.***  after the bike is moving, you only have to accelerate, you don't have that initial START from a stop so the gearing gets harder for the engine to turn.  

Once your moving, the engine is able to turn the harder gears, and the faster you go, the easier it is for the engine to move the harder and harder gears.  

Just for kicks, try putting a mountain bike in low gear and try and take off from a stop.....  I'll wait.......... Don't work to well huh!?! :)

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Changing gears keeps the engine in a usable RPM range at different speeds.

You use lower gears at low speed and higher gears at high speed.

If you attempt to use a high gear at low speed, the engine will bog, stumble, and will not turn fast enough to produce any power.  At the extreme end it will even stall.

If you attempt ride using a low gear at high speed the engine will rev higher than it needs, will consume excessive fuel, will cause excessive wear, can over heat, will cause annoying noise and vibration, and the bike won't reach it's potential speed.  In the extreme you can have catastrophic engine failure.

Answer 7

UM WHY ARE YOU ON THIS, OR BETTER WHY NOT ASK WHY DO CARS NEED TO CHANGE GEARS.... EMMMM SO THAT YOU DONT BLOW THE ENGINE. HOW DUMB CAN YOU GET. PLEASE TELL ME WHEN YOUR RIDING SO I DONT COME NEAR YOU CAUSE YOU'LL DEFINETLY BE CAUSING PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD..   REALLY GET A OWNERS MANUAL ON BIKES AND HOW THE WORK BEFORE YOU HURT YOURSELF OR SOMEONE......