- Tips for shifting gears on a motorcycle
- Shifting gears on a motorcycle correctly
- Motorcycle speed
Beginners, just learning the basics of driving and controlling a motorcycle, look with admiration at how motorcyclists skillfully and silently change gears on a motorcycle. And they have an irresistible desire to learn the same impeccable technique for driving their vehicles. But they shouldn’t think that it’s so difficult. It's easy to learn.
When to switch
There are features of how and when to change gears at different gearboxes (“manual” or “automatic”). In any case, you should first study the basic basics, such as the location of the clutch handle, the rules for setting and releasing speed, and the gear shift lever. They are used subsequently to perform these actions.
a common problem
1. Is it necessary to use the clutch to change gears every time?
Yes, a clutch is necessary to change gears on a motorcycle.
The clutch is an integral part of the motorcycle, which is why it is important.
The clutch is a mechanical component on the left handlebar that is responsible for transferring engine power to the transmission system (the transmission that provides torque and speed) to the motorcycle.
The clutch is often used to change gears and get out of the motorcycle. without turning off the engine.
The clutch also helps prevent the motorcycle from stopping without jerking.
To maneuver, press the clutch, apply a little throttle, then quickly engage the clutch for efficient wheelie action.
Remember to keep your clutch in good condition. Many vehicle drivers are concerned about slippage, binding, shaft movement, binding and other typical clutch problems.
An inadequate clutch can create a series of problems , so the driver must take action as soon as possible.
Is it possible to skip gears when changing gears?
Skipping gear is fun, but it has several advantages and disadvantages!
Firstly, the ride feels good, especially as a novice motorcyclist, every gear change matters to him/her, this means that you enjoy and love the sound of the gears clicking and every little finger and foot. movement involved in gear shifting.
However, this doesn't last forever, as you will quickly come to realize that the fun wears off (quickly). And you basically develop some bad habits that will definitely require cleaning up later.
I have actually heard people shift from 1st to 3rd and so on, however it doesn't give any results as you will move like a snail jumping over the gin this way.
Not only that, but you're always causing a lot more worry about the transmission and gears, which will certainly result in an expensive trip to the workshop.
The point is that you can avoid the gear, but problems may arise.
For example, if shifting from fifth to second gear is also an infrequent condition , it can seriously damage the engine and jeopardize the driver's safety.
When to change gears on a motorcycle at what speed?
RPM is used to measure the speed at which an engine rotates.
A high RPM indicates that the engine is spinning faster and also produces higher torque, while a lower RPM indicates that the engine is spinning at a lower speed so it produces less torque as well as speed.
Also note that at high rpm, fuel consumption increases further for a noticeable reason (to create even more power).
So, to the experience level, also keep the fuel change at 2000 rpm .
Keep an eye on the RPM limit. The RPM limit is a red dot on the tachometer screen or simply a red line.”
The engine may be damaged if the red line is crossed. So, to maintain the performance of the motorcycle, shift at lower rpm.
There is no real answer to the question of the best gear shift point. In most road conditions, high revs are not needed.
Is it possible to shift from 5th to 1st gear?
You can switch, but this will also be a big risk due to the sudden change in speed.
In 5th gear the bike will obviously pick up too much speed and also as soon as you shift it into 1st and even 2nd gear the speed will certainly vary a lot making the bike difficult to control.
How to find neutral?
Finding neutral can be challenging for new riders.
But a little persistence and gentleness make the task less difficult.
If you don't fully depress the clutch, it may be more difficult to shift into neutral.
How to slow down to a stop?
You always have to change gears when you need to slow down.
Not only will this allow you to use engine braking to slow down, but it will also allow you to get even more torque and also accelerate again if stopping is not necessary.
7. Will the motorcycle start in 1st gear?
Motorcycles can be quickly started in 1st gear by pressing the clutch. In higher gears the bike will definitely start, but it will stall when you release the clutch to move on. If the clutch switch is not working, the motorcycles will not start in any gear.
Can a stall damage your motorcycle?
Stalling will not damage your motorcycle. However, if there are too many delayed stops, peripheral devices such as the chain as well as sprockets may be affected, locking devices damaged, or the motorcycle equipment may become stuck.
Can I put the motorcycle in neutral?
You can leave it parked on a level surface, but if you're parking on a likely slope, leave it in 1st gear to prevent it from rolling off the side stand.
Can I install a quick changer?
Of course, quickshifters are not for tiny bikes. Keep an eye on the gear shifter that matches your motorcycle model and also install it on the manual.
Manual transmission
Beginners always have problems starting a motorcycle, as well as subsequently changing gears. After all, the main question is when to turn on 1, 2, 3 and subsequent speeds when driving. For the first gear, the optimal start will be set at 3 thousand revolutions. (Smoothly release the clutch) They should increase evenly while releasing the clutch. When increasing or decreasing the speed, you must ensure that the speed does not rise quickly. For this reason, everything should be done as smoothly as possible. Growth will be optimal up to 1-1.5 thousand revolutions. If the switching is carried out at low speeds, there will be a need to re-throttle. It is best to perform all actions at high speeds, around -3,000 from the maximum cutoff. The steps look like this:
The clutch lever is depressed and at one moment the gear shift lever is pressed with the left foot. After engaging first gear, gas is gradually added by turning the handle, and the clutch is slowly released.
Using the toe of your left foot, the lever is raised up to a characteristic click at 2nd and subsequent speeds. Some “aces” make the switch in a simpler way: they slightly lift the lever with their toes and release the gas. But this requires some experience for smoothness. Otherwise, the service life of the clutch will be significantly reduced due to increased wear.
It may be necessary to downshift. After releasing the gas by approximately 2,000 - 3,000 rpm by braking, depress the clutch and shift the speed down. This can be continued until neutral is turned on. Smooth operation will only occur when the actual speed is lower by approximately 500 - 1,000 revolutions of the lower gear.
Otherwise, a jerk will be felt.
IMPORTANT: In gears 4 to 6 you can move quite quickly and at maximum speeds. But it will be impossible to move from their place. The reason is the lack of necessary force transmitted to the wheels.
All motorcycle speeds and its maximum speed
The maximum speed of a motorcycle depends on the power of the bike and the drive gear ratios. Motorcycles of different sizes can reach speeds from one hundred and forty kilometers to three hundred and forty kilometers per hour.
You don't need to make your bike's top speed an end in itself. Much more important is how dynamic your motorcycle is at all possible speeds. Gear ratios can be increased or decreased to improve the motorcycle's performance. For example, for city streets the maximum speed is not higher than 220 km/h. In this case, the gear ratios are selected so that at this speed the sixth gear is turned into the cutoff. The motorcycle will gain such important dynamics for it.
For track racing, the gear ratios are chosen slightly differently so that all six gears are used until a top speed of 280 kilometers per hour is achieved.
Replacing gear ratios is considered the cheapest tuning and does not affect the wear of the motorcycle.
Automatic transmission
If we take into account the automatic transmission, there is no need to engage the clutch here, since it is interconnected with the gearbox. For this reason, switching can be performed at any speed while driving. When the gas is released, the gear shift lever is pressed down. There should only be one click for the first transfer. Higher speeds are activated in the same way, but only the lever rises when the gas handle is released (one click). To reset the gears, press the lever downwards. In this case, it is better to do it this way: apply the gas and immediately remove your hand from the handle, and after the speed drops, switch the speed and add gas again in the required amount.
What to remember when changing gears
Motorcycle gear not shifting smoothly is one of the common problems associated with motorcycle gears.
The main causes of shifting problems are problems with the clutch cable, engine oil, chain, as well as gears and the shift rod itself. If your transmission won't shift up or down, then there is a problem with any of these three things.
Insufficient clutch slack or too much cable slack. The oil/lube oil level is low, or you have actually used poor quality oil.
Transmission Gear transmission, a foreign object has struck the gear.
The chain is loose and the chain gears are worn.
Additionally, if the gear is not transformed according to their rate range , the gear may get stuck or the motorcycle may stall too much.
What causes the speed change?
When the bike's speed selection lever moves, a special drive allows the forks to move. They are designed to move longitudinal couplings. Two gears cannot be engaged at the same time, since a lock (locking mechanism) is used for this. If we look at the example of a three-way box, while one slider is moving, the rest are simply locked with a lock.
At the moment when the clutch responsible for engagement is directed to the gear of a particular transmission, their ring gears meet. They are connected to each other, and their simultaneous rotation occurs. Thus, the gearbox transmits rotational movements from the engine through the cardan shaft to the main gear.
Start
The most difficult element for a beginner motorcyclist. Shift the gearbox to neutral. Make sure your elbows are bent and your center of gravity is forward. Depress the clutch. Engage first gear. From idle speed, smoothly release the clutch handle while raising the speed. If your motorcycle is equipped with a clutch lever position sensor (for example, Suzuki fuel-injected motorcycles), then you may notice how when starting from neutral the motorcycle itself adds speed - making it easier to start. Do not drop the clutch lever. Once you have mastered the soft start, you can learn to start faster. The principle of a fast start is the same as for a slow one - you load the front, your arms are bent, but the start does not start from idle speed, but from rpm from 4000 to 8000. The optimal start for a beginner in the city is to start from 3000 rpm. When starting, we recommend keeping your right foot on the rear brake - if you miscalculated the speed and the motorcycle begins to climb onto the rear wheel, use the rear brake. Often, we start where we end. Traction control when starting a motorcycle, using the rear brake, is widely used by riders when starting a motorcycle in world championships.
What is the benchmark - what is the fastest start. The fastest start is when you lie on the tank and throughout the entire acceleration line your wheel is torn off by 0.5 - 1 cm from the ground level. Taking into account bumps, this element is quite complex and, often, for its practical implementation, electronics are installed in motorcycles that control the unloading of the front wheel. On motorcycles equipped with a quick start, you can start with the throttle fully open; the electronics analyze the load on the front fork and automatically turn off the ignition as the fork becomes too unloaded. From the pilot's point of view, it looks like this: you load the front, lie down on the tank, fully unscrew the throttle and practically drop the clutch - the electronics do the rest. 99% of motorcycles are not equipped with a quick start and the pilot has to do the electronic work.
The main criterion for a successful start in the city is constant engine speed as the clutch releases. As you release the clutch, the revs begin to drop and you should try to keep the engine revs constant by opening the throttle at the same time as releasing the clutch. If you managed to do this, you can move on to the next step - reducing the clutch release time. After this exercise has begun to work out, try starting at high speeds, loading the front.
Recommendations
When traveling on a motorcycle, all actions should be brought to automaticity. It is better for novice drivers to skate all the moments on an area where there are no strangers. This will avoid injury to both the rider and those around him. However, it is worth paying attention to some other tips.
- In order not to give in to excess gas, your hands should hold the steering handles with your knuckles up. This is especially important when engaging first gear.
- The engine must always warm up within a certain period of time. You should never run at full speed to avoid rapid engine failure.
- It is always better to be proactive and plan every step during your trip. This little thing will help you avoid traffic accidents and other problems on the road.
- Almost all modern motorcycle models have a special indicator on the dashboard indicating the gear in which the movement is taking place.
- If you need to brake at high speed, you should start with the front brake, which is released gradually. It is he who is the main one. The rear brake is used to adjust the position of the motorcycle.
- Each press (click) on the gearshift lever corresponds to one speed. In this case, you need to listen to the engine. If a low sound is heard, you should turn on a reduced speed from the existing one and, vice versa, if the engine rumbles strongly.
- IMPORTANT: If you initially squeeze the clutch and then release the gas, the engine will begin to “roar”, and when you further change gears it will twitch.
How do you know you changed gear by mistake?
In most cases, you will get a big shock and hear a silly knocking and grinding sound.
This is usually quite inconvenient as you may find that you are also revving your bike too much. This is if you didn't change gear in time.
On the contrary, eventually, if you change gear too early, you'll experience a lack of power and it will take forever to get up to a suitable speed.
Here are a few ways to tell if you've shifted gears incorrectly.
There is no smooth clicking sound. The start of a jerk that causes the bike to eventually stop.
Inequality if a motorcycle is traveling at high speed.
Releasing the clutch suddenly can lift the front wheel off the ground, causing it to skid.
Sudden change in vehicle weight.
Shift your motorcycle gears correctly in retrograde or stationary mode.
Do you want to stop? To avoid abusing your braking system and then your transmission, you must first shift to a lower gear.
How to change gear and brake on a motorcycle?
You'll be looking to directly cut the throttle, turn it off, engage the selector, and engage it before braking. Of course, this will work, but you risk damaging the sprocket. For successful braking
, you should do the following:
- Brake carefully
- Unplug and put on some gas
- Shift the selector to a lower gear.
- Turn on so that the engine brake is applied.
