The basics of gears...

[GREENI3]

I'm a noob when it comes to gears, but thats why I'm asking

I want to know the basics of gears, so that when I get a 125, I won't end up looking like too much of an incompetent fool.

Now I know HOW to change gear, but it's the small things that puzzle me a bit

Like how fast should you let the clutch out on specific gears?, what to do when you're parking?, getting out of neutral to first? e.t.c.

Cheers and sorry if this has been posted before.

[...]

It will depend on the bike and your riding style.

I just pull the clutch lever in as quick as possible, change up, then let it out about half as slowly as I pulled it in, not forgetting to roll off the throttle before pulling in the clutch and rolling it on again as the clutch is released.

Don't take this as how you should shift gears. I am possibly quite wrong.

In all likelihood you'll pick it up just fine by yourself.

[Livefast123]

We could all express an opinion on how we change gear etc but you'll find that you pick it up all by yourself when you start riding. It's like riding, everyone has a different style.

When you let the clutch out, it stalls and you drop the bike then you'll know it's too fast
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Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[Ditto]

You'll pick it up...basically is the easiest way of saying it.

Do you drive? Its the same as that but using your hand.

When you put it into first from neutral you pull the clutch in like you would expect and then there will likely be an almighty clunk as it drops in.

From first to second is the only gear which needs a bit of added force so you don't get neutral. At first you will be putting it into neutral all the time and revving the nuts off the engine but again...the feel will come with time and before you know it you will know how much force is needed to get it into neutral from first or second. I often go from second into neutral when coming up to a stop.

Driving around slowly takes time, but basically you will keep the revs up at about 1500 and then control the speed by slipping the clutch.


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CG 125 > Bandit 600 > CBR 600 FY > Street Triple R

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Are you the one who rated me as Abusive in the umpteenth 'Do you Nod?' thread? I said Nod-Off and gave you the finger.

Anyway...i'm not one to harbor a grudge. So i'll give you the benefit of my years and years of riding experience and the millions of gear changes i have made.

[pinkyfloyd]

[GREENI3]

[Poseidon]

When I had my first driving lesson, although I could use the clutch and change gears, I was too sharp on the clutch, resulting in gear changes being accompanied by a jolt of the whole car (and its passengers). The advice my driving instructor gave me was fantastic and has stuck with me for the last ten years, making my gear changes silky smooth.

Firstly imagine the travel of the clutch is numbered from one to ten in equal graduations. Find the number of the biting point... for example, in my car it's fairly high, so about 7. My bike it's quite close in, so about 3ish.

When you pull the clutch in, do it firmly and swiftly, letting out the throttle as you do so.

Select your new gear

Release the clutch swiftly to just below the biting point (imagine 6 in my car, 2 on my bike). Then, without actually halting the movement of the clutch, slow the travel of the clutch down and feed back in with the throttle (basically easing it gently past the biting point). Once clear of the biting point release the clutch fully and continue as normal.

Unfortunately, explaining this process makes it sound like it's a 45minute procedure for each change, but in reality it should only take a second or two i.e:
0-seconds clutch fully in, throttle closed
0.5 seconds new gear selected
0.2seconds clutch released to just below biting point
0.5-1.5 seconds, clutch moved passed biting point and engine revs brought up to match gear speed
0.1 second clutch fully released.

Obviously you wont win many drag races with this technique, but it will ensure a smooth and comfortable ride. Think of the whole process as a smooth flowing system.

I should also add that this only works for changing up gears or down using engine braking (with little or no throttle involved). If you're down changing whilst braking then you might want to continue with the braking during the gear change rather than using the throttle... But the clutch movement should remain the same.
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1977 Honda CG125
2002 Ducati Monster S4 (currently restoring)

[Poseidon]

I should also add that I only consciously thought this process through during a couple of lessons. You soon just think of it as "easing" the clutch past the biting point and within a couple of weeks, you do it without thinking!
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1977 Honda CG125
2002 Ducati Monster S4 (currently restoring)

[Asharin]

[tahrey]

[GREENI3]

Thanks for the advice tahrey.

I would do my cbt on a geared bike, but I've already done it on a 50cc ped last month. Hopefully won't have to do my cbt again, if I can get full license next year.

Gears do seem like a daunting prospect to me tbh.

Looking to get a ybr/cg when I'm 17 and practising in a car park for a bit. Should get the hang of it, but too soon to say at the moment.

[Paulington]

Don't fret about it, you are worrying about something that requires no worrying at all.

In fact, just by making this thread and asking us and yourself those questions you are overthinking the very aspect of getting to grips with a geared motorcycle.

Chill out, now you are on a 50cc concentrate on your riding discipline, positioning, forward planning and observations. Cross the bridge of gears when you come to it, and not a minute sooner!

When you get your 125, I'm sure you know someone that will give you a hand in a quiet car park/industrial estate to help you get the hang of it. The truth is 10 minutes in a car park with a person is worth 20 pages of forum thread giving you 500 different ways and opinions on doing it.

Gears are a very simple thing and will become second nature within a day of riding, I first drove a geared car when I was 9 before I started racing Minis and have never worried about gear changing, bike or car since. It's exactly the same as riding a bicycle! Do it for a day and you are sorted for life.

If you are still uncomfortable/not sure after you have gotten your 125, then book a second CBT with your own motorcycle (£100 or so) and they will teach you exactly what to do and how to do it properly, it will also give you a lot more confidence learning it with fully trained instructors and letting them observe you as you get used to it.

I hope that helps. .
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[tahrey]

Hmm i suppose if you're only 16 that does limit the options a bit for now! Do they even allow manual-shift 'peds for under-17s any more, if you can find one? (There are a lot of countries that say they must be automatic-only, so manufacturers probably don't bother making anything else)

Best I could say is borrow a mates geared bike - if you know anyone with one - for some careful off-public-road practice. At least you've got the basics of staying upright and riding in traffic down thus far, so you don't have to worry about getting all of it right all at once like some of us did!

That and look into some further tuition once you pass 17; at least CBT, but while you're at it you may as well head for a proper license and shred the L-plates. You can't do DAS at this point, but you can at least go for either a 125-restricted license (which does free you up for motorways and passengers) if you're feeling parsimonious, or better a 33hp one (lots of choice!) which you'll automatically graduate from after 2 years. Go with a reputable training centre and they'll sort you out for gears and clutch nicely.

And heck, you probably haven't had much 4-wheel experience so it should be less confusing this way!

Don't fret it, like Paulington says, the fact you're asking is probably worrying too much ... but hey, at least you're not charging in assuming you'll be fantastic from day one, then ending up running smack into a metal gate like the guy in that youtube video because you leapt onto a 600cc before the clutch-in action had become properly ingrained in muscle memory.

[Rogerborg]

[Benson_JV]

[tahrey]

[iooi]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

@marcusbandit. A Flame eh.

I'm like an elephant me...thick..slow but i never forget a bad rating.
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[N cee thirty]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I prefer a slap to the face rather than a dig in the back, if i'm out of order of that is.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project