Concerned about learning how to change gears

[Cayman911]

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

Unless the poor bike has no rev counter, like mine .

But first of all, welcome to KB!

you will most definitely feel it after a while, and the rev counter will definitely help you out at the beginning!

[Blinkwing]

Going to book a basic handling course this Saturday morning with a friend. Hurrah!

[CookMySock]

Try riding a vtwin with a real loud exhaust on it. You will be able to hear that for sure, and it you don't - you will be able to feel it.

Don't worry too much. Just jump on it and have a go. Everyone does it.

Steve

[bent12]

Don't harm a bike with good engineering pedigree it Japanese, pedigree motorcycle design........2.3.4.5.65

[bent12]

Yes, but a quick way to chage gear.

[onearmedbandit]

Yes, but a quick way to chage gear.

I take it your replying to me, however try using the quote function so it clears up any misunderstanding. The OP isn't trying to have the quickest gear changes, nor are they wanting to damage their gearbox when they do get a bike.

[Old Steve]

If you're only familiar with a car auto, and a car manual gearchange seems daunting, you'll find a motorbike gear change easier than expected.

A bike gearbox changes sequentially, usually one down and four up. That means you change from 1 to 2, to 3, to 4 and to 5. You can only go up or down one gear - OK double or more quick gear changes are possible. So if you want to go faster you lift the gear lever with your left foot. If you want to slow down you press the gear lever down with your left foot.

Pretty sson you'll have the hand, foot, throttle co-ordination down pat.

[Blinkwing]

I passed the basic handling skills test. It was awesome!

I have no idea why I was so concerned about the gear switching, it was far easier than I expected.

[Sentox]

I passed the basic handling skills test. It was awesome!

I have no idea why I was so concerned about the gear switching, it was far easier than I expected.

Congratulations!

Time to get a bike for the road, then?

[Blinkwing]

Congratulations!

Time to get a bike for the road, then?

Yip. Will need to go to the bank to ask for a loan sometime soon. Not looking forward to that.

[DJSin]

I passed the basic handling skills test. It was awesome!

I have no idea why I was so concerned about the gear switching, it was far easier than I expected.

awesome
so glad it was better than you'd anticipated

[Blinkwing]

Thanks for all the replies so far! Quite a few encouraging ones

Bank loan approved, will be hunting for a bike soon with a couple of friends.

[CookMySock]

Maybe something with a rev counter and a perhaps gear indicator.

...and then put a loud exhaust on it!

Steve

[rie]

I think some of the advice here is actually quite sound (some, maybe not all, but that's just a matter of personal opinion not worth debating). I would strongly advise you to get some experience on the bike and then return to this thread to re-read some of the comments. You might find that a lot of the advice will make more sense then.

Over time, I have found that most riders stop 'hearing' their bikes - most people tend to get a 'feel' for how motorbikes operate and this drives their ability to ride. The ability to hear becomes irrelevant. Many even ride with top-end ear plugs to completely eliminate sound. So even if it may seem like you start off at a disadvantaged point, you are more likely to be starting off way ahead of the hearing riders by learning to rely more on feel, than sound. Glad you are off to a good start though, good luck finding a bike!

[ital916]

Hi Blinkwing

I may be incorrect in assuming this but did you get all your gear from motomail today. If so, then it was a pleasure to meet you and you friend. I was the guy who served you. If you have any questions or just want to kick tyres and talk bikes feel free to come hang out at motomail. (Even if you are not the same person, feel free to come hang out anyway and I can talk you through gear and just talk bikes haha).

Regards

Dushy