How to Change Gears On Vehicles

by Contributing WriterUpdated June 12, 2017

Vehicles riding is a refreshing and fulfilling sport that attracts people from all walks of life. Learning to ride a Vehicles with a Vehicles can be a challenge. One concept that some beginning riders find difficult is learning to change gears. Below is a step-by-step guide to changing gears that will get you ready to take to the open road as quickly as possible. As with many things, practice improves performance. Orientation: The shift lever is located on the left side when astride the Vehicles. It is operated by your left toe. The heel of your foot will rest on a larger peg while the toe of your foot is used to lift up or push down on the shift lever to change gears. The clutch lever is located on the left steering handlebar. You will squeeze the clutch lever to disengage the gearbox and allow smooth transition from one gear to the next. As seen in the picture, from the neutral position, push down on the shift lever to select first gear, then lift up Vehicles all sequential gears thereafter. There are Vehicles five gears and a neutral setting, though some bikes have a sixth.

Under The Hood:

 How to Change Gears On An ATV

Sit on the ATV in a safe and comfortable position with both hands on the bars. Turn the ignition key to the "On" position. Pull in the clutch (the left lever), push the shift lever down four times and then pull it up slightly to put the ATV in neutral. Be sure the neutral light is on. Push the starter button to start the ATV.

Pull in the clutch lever and press the shifter down. This puts the ATV in first gear. Release the clutch lever slowly until you feel the "pull" of the engine, then pull the lever back in. Repeat until you are comfortable with the point of the lever release at which this "pull" happens.

Get the ATV moving, when you are ready, by releasing the clutch lever slowly. When you feel the engine "pull," slowly apply the throttle on the right handlebar and release the clutch lever completely. If done properly, you will now be moving forward at a slow pace. You can moderate your speed by applying more or less throttle at any given moment.

Accelerate to the top of the first gear range and pull in the clutch lever. Push the gear shifter up until it clicks one time. Slowly release the clutch and apply a moderate amount of throttle. You are now in second gear.

Continue riding and shifting up through the gears by repeating the clutch-shift-throttle-release motion. When you are ready to stop, smoothly close the throttle and pull in the clutch. Apply the front and rear brakes with your right hand and foot and shift down through the gears into neutral.

Items you will need

  • ATV with manual gearbox

  • Practice area

 How to Change Gears on a Manual Transmission Motorcycle

Start the motorcycle, squeeze the clutch lever then push down on the shift lever with your left toe to put it in first gear. To get a feel for how sensitive the clutch is, slowly add the throttle and begin releasing the clutch lever until you feel it begin to engage, then re-squeeze the clutch lever and release the throttle. Do this several times until you are familiar with where in the clutch release it begins to engage and how much throttle is necessary to keep it from lugging and killing the engine.

Begin riding by putting the motorcycle in first gear. Slowly release the clutch lever while adding throttle. Once you release the clutch lever all the way, increase the throttle to add speed. To learn how to change gears, refer to your tachometer and operator's manual and listen closely to the sound of the engine.

Change gears by quickly squeezing the clutch lever while simultaneously releasing the throttle. Pivot your foot and lift up firmly on the gear selector with your left toe to change to second gear. Quickly and smoothly release the clutch lever and add throttle. Take caution not to add too much throttle, as this will cause the motorcycle to lunge forward, while too little throttle will cause the motorcycle to slow down and cause you to shift your body forward. Avoid releasing the clutch too slowly. Allowing the clutch to engage only partially is called, "slipping the clutch," and this will cause excessive heat and premature wear to the clutch. Continue the same shifting process through the rest of the gears as needed for the speed you wish to go.

Slow down using one of the following two methods: 1) Squeeze the clutch lever and apply the brakes; 2) Downshift by squeezing the clutch lever, releasing the throttle and pressing down on the shift lever to select a lower gear, then slowly release the clutch and apply throttle as needed. The engine will serve as a brake in this method.

Place the motorcycle back into neutral using one of the following two methods: 1) When downshifting from second gear, gently press down on the shift lever to place the gearbox in neutral. If you push down too hard, it may go into first gear; 2) Put the motorcycle in first gear, then gently lift up on the shift lever to enter neutral. If you lift too hard, it may enter second gear. On some motorcycles, there is a light on the instrument cluster indicating when you are in neutral; otherwise slightly release the clutch to confirm whether or not you are in neutral.

Items you will need

  • Protective clothing

  • Helmet

 How to Change Gears on a Postal Bike

Changing Gears

Locate the gear shift on the right handlebar. Shift up or down as necessary during driving conditions. There is no need for clutch use, as the clutch is automatic.

When you wish to change gear ranges, come to a complete stop in a safe location.

Shift into neutral gear and locate the sub-transmission housing.

Flip the lever located on the sub-transmission housing from the low gear-range to the high gear-range.

Resume riding as usual, shifting as necessary with the shifter on the handlebar. Even in high gear-range, there is no need to engage the clutch, as it is automatic.

Items you will need

  • Honda CT90 or CT110

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