I'm new to motorcycles, and don't know a lot. I've always been a fan and I am finally buying my first one, but I don't have anybody to teach me a lot of the basics. I just recently got the basics of gear shifting up and down, but I don't know how to go from say fifth to first or fourth second , if I need to rapidly slow down or make an extreme stop.I understand that neutral is right after first, can I jump from 1st past neutral to 2nd.I also would like to know the rpm range I should be in for the different gears 1st 2nd 3rd etc.Plus a side question. When I go to one of these schools to get my endorsement, do I have to bring my own bike? or do they usually provide one? meaning do I have to trailer my bike there?I know it's a lot to take in, but this is coming from a person who has very little experience, so helpful answers would be greatly appreciated.
you can jump to anywhere in the gearbox in no paritcular order you can go up and down gears in two or whatever BUT if in doubt go up a gear as for instance going from 5 to 1st without slowing down is going to lock your back wheel as your bike tries to go several thousand revs over the redline (which it will eventually resist) and then it will try to throw you off Also 1st is a hard gear to drop into - it is so low - try and stay in second and then stop and drop to first after. try to go around gears in second too resist dropping into first.
I would recommend trying to find a MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) riding class in your area. They will teach you the correct way to ride. When my wife wanted to learn how to ride her own bike I sent her to one of their classes. best money I've spent in a long time. They supplied the bike, and taught her what to do without her learning any of my bad habits. You can google them or check with your local DMV for information in your local area. These classes are inexpensive and many places make it much easier to get your license when you complete the class.
For a beginner,it would be best to shift ans release beach gear,1 At a time, more increaes the chanc3 ofskidding the tire.You can shift and brake at the same time, shift/brake stays applied,shift,shift,stop,putfeet down. NEUTRAL is designed to shift thru, it s possible tohit N by accident,, but usually not. THE rp is variable,best if you LISTEN tothengine than looking at looking at th3 tach, whenDOWNSHIFTING the RPM jumps up so don t downshift near the REDLINE. The bike class provides the bike,for the reason you mentioned. AFTER CLASS buy a small Used bike, ride itfor a year then sell it to another beginner,dents and dings don t matter,condition does. Be SAFE and rride happy.
Bike transmissions are sequential, meaning that you have to go thru the numbers to get wherever you're going. E.g. only gears available from 4th are 5th and third. You can only change one gear at a time as I'm sure you've seen. So to go from 5th to first you have to downshift 4 times. Whether you release the clutch and allow the transmission to slow you down in each gear is a riding decision you make when you know what you're doing. Sometimes you need to stop too fast to mess with the gears and you just pull in the clutch and hit the brakes. RPM range to shift is totally dependent on the bike and your riding style. If you're in a hurry, you shift at the redline. If not, you shift when you feel like the bike needs to shift. Many beginner motorcycles (and some big 'cycles) don't even have a tachometer, so getting the feel is more important than reading the gauge. Not sure where you are, but around here you have to take your own bike to take the rider's test OR you can get a waiver for the rider's test if you pass a authorized course on their bikes.
