Concerned about learning how to change gears

[Blinkwing]

I'm interested in learning how to ride a motorcycle but I'm concerned about changing gears.

I can only drive an automatic car, therefore my knowledge of manual transmissions/gear changing is non-existent.

I'm also deaf & can't hear anything (have a hearing aid, haven't tried wearing it inside a helmet and that's another concern altogether) so I was wondering how the instructor would teach me to change gears if I can't hear the engine revving - maybe feeling the vibrations?

Then again, I could be making a mountain out of a molehill ...

[george formby]

You will be able to see your revs on the rev counter & no doubt get a feel through the bike. Most bikes are very positive with the gear change, each gear goe's in with a positive clunk or click which you feel through your boot. Once you have spent a little time practising it becomes second nature, very much a "feel" thing much like everything else about riding a motorcycle. You become physically involved in the whole process. Thats why they are so much fun. Go for it.

[sinfull]

Molehill !!!!
Rev limiter has a red line, don't go over it ! Most modern bikes have a rev limiter that wont let you near the red line anyway !
After one or two rides you will learn what the best rev is for the next gear ie: if the bikes chugging away too low in the revs going up you'll feel it or it lurches under engine braking if they're too high changing down !

In other words JUST DO EEET !

[firefighter]

I'm also deaf & can't hear anything (have a hearing aid, haven't tried wearing it inside a helmet and that's another concern altogether) so I was wondering how the instructor would teach me to change gears if I can't hear the engine revving - maybe feeling the vibrations?.

If you have a hearing aid you must be able to hear something or you it would be pointless to have one.....a bit like prescription glasses for someone who is completely blind (not doubting you just trying to figure your limits of capability....with my very bad tinitus I can kinda sympathise/I know it's not the same but I know about hearing difficulties)

Can you hear the noise of an engine at all? More thinking along the lines of the changes in pitch than the quality of the sound.....

If you cannot hear a single little peep, pretty much what has been said above is spot-on. The only concern you really have is with letting the engine lag, or changing too early. You're much better to change up later, and down earlier, and you can feel when a bike needs to change really well. It will feel like it needs to change, being deaf may actually be a good thing as you wo'nt be changing too early due to not being used to revving an engine....

First time I rode a bike I was changing way too early as I was used to driving a car, and when I was told to rev it out I felt guilty about it because of the noise, whereas it feels right. Hope that makes sense.

[Fatt Max]

As per others, It's all about feel. The rev limiter will also help but you will really be able to 'feel' what the bike is doing and work accordingly.

Contact a local instructor and run it past them, maybe go see and have a go, you will be surprised at how connected you get with a bike

Good luck mate, go get some.....

[kevfromcoro]

wellcome to KB...
most of us are bit dissabled in one way or another.....
as said ,,,,,,, watch the rev counter...
wouldnt go red lining it if you are new to bikes...
just take it easy
sure you will get the hang of it..................

[The Baron]

Hi I ride with a deaf rider from time to time and he has no problem changing gears - just try it.

Also I ride with a person who just can't get the whole gear thing at all so brought an automatic bike.

The main point is just do it.

[kevfromcoro]

BTW
what are you riding?

[p.dath]

If it is any consolation I ride with ear plugs to protect my hearing. I think you'll be able to compensate about the lack of hearing with the feeling of the bike. You'll feel it struggling to apply power if the revs are too low, and well there is normally a rev limiter on the other end of the scale.

Personally I'm guessing the biggest issue wont be riding the bike - but being confident enough in yourself to just get out there and do it. So no more excuses - just do it!

One you have a bike and a learners licence come along to some free lessons on Wednesday nights. The sessions are called NASS, and you can read about them here:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/wiki/Nort..._Street_Skills

I know there is at least one other NASS member who has a hearing aide. So I think you'll be fine.

Once you have a full licence you might be able to get a bigger bike with low down pulling power, like a V-Twin. Then you wont have to worry about the revs so much.

[breakaway]

Not being able to hear is of no consequence. I often ride with earplugs / headphones with music and I can't hear any engine sound. I don't look at the rev gauge either, just feel it from the vibrations. If you're deaf, your vibration-picking-up-ability is probably a million times better than mine.

[EJK]

Just shift when the rpm needle gets to the redline. It's a good indication.

[Blinkwing]

Some nice replies so far, thanks to all that replied

At the end of this year, I should have roughly $6000 to spend on a bike & bike-related things.

I have no clue of how much things should cost.

So far, I've got a few things down ...

a. Protective clothing (helmet, jacket & gloves)
b. Some emergency cash set aside for maintenance.
c. The bike itself.

Wondering how much these things should cost, I don't wanna skimp out on protective clothing.

[Slyer]

$6000 is a good amount.
Depending on the bike, you generally want to keep between 1/2 and 3/4 of the way to the red line unless you are doing quite sporty riding.
As long as you aren't riding too low or high in the rev range for extended periods of time the bike won't care, it's up to you where you like to be.

Do you understand the concepts of manual transmissions? Not how they work but why you need different gears?

[bent12]

Hi
Hold it full throttle with some pressure on the gear lever, at gear change flick your clutch and engage next gear, proceed with subsequent changes to top speed and inbetween.

[onearmedbandit]

Hi
Hold it full throttle with some pressure on the gear lever, at gear change flick your clutch and engage next gear, proceed with subsequent changes to top speed and inbetween.

Preloading your shift lever is a quick way to fuck your gearbox.