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Shifting gears on a motorcycle is easier than you think. In this article, we explain the simple sequence of steps and where the gears are located. Whether manual or semi-automatic, after reading this article, you’ll be able to do it.
What you need to shift gears on a motorcycle
Before you start shifting gears, you should know where the clutch, throttle, and gear selector lever are located.
- The clutch is located in front of the left handle on the handlebars. Pull it toward you to engage the clutch and shift gears.
- The gear lever is located on the same side, below the footrest.
- The right handle is the throttle lever. Turn it toward you (toward the motorcycle) by lowering your wrist. The throttle is open. If you release or turn the throttle lever forward, you will slow down.
How the gearshift works
The gears (sequence) of the manual gearshift and the semi-automatic gearshift are identical. The only difference is that the semi-automatic gearshift does not have a clutch, which you have to operate in a manual gearshift. This is comparable to a car with Tiptronic.
- Pull the clutch toward the handle and shift down once with your left foot. If you were previously in neutral, first gear is now engaged. Slowly turn the throttle and release the clutch just as slowly. The motorcycle will begin to roll. This works in the same way as a car with a manual transmission. The only difference is that your left foot operates the clutch and your right foot operates the throttle.
- If you want to shift to the next gear, slowly release the throttle or turn it “off,” pull the clutch, and move/push the gear lever up once with your foot. Accelerate again and release the clutch (slowly). Repeat this sequence for the next gears.
- With the usual gear pattern of a motorcycle with manual transmission, first gear is always below idle and all other gears are above idle. Idle is between first and second gear.
- If you now want to shift back into a lower gear, throttle back, pull the clutch all the way to the handle, move the shift lever down with your foot one or more times (gears) until you have reached the desired gear. Now slowly open the throttle again and gently release the clutch.
- If you are unsure whether your motorcycle is in neutral when starting (if there is no indicator), simply shift down until you can no longer shift. This will guarantee that you are in first gear.
- If you want to shift a semi-automatic motorcycle, proceed in the same way as for manual shifting. The only thing you don’t need to do is operate the clutch. Everything else is the same: the gear arrangement, taking your foot off the throttle to shift gears, and opening the throttle after shifting.
