softOM.

book Page 116 Thursday, May 30, 2002 10:38 AM

SHIFTING GEARS Engage second gear after the motorcycle has run a few
yards, as follows:

CAUTION 1. Close the throttle.

The clutch must be fully disengaged before attempting a 2. Disengage the clutch.
gear shift. Failure to fully engage the clutch may result in
equipment damage. 3. Lift the gear shifter pedal up to the end of its travel and
release.
NOTE 4. Engage the clutch and operate the throttle gradually.
See Figure 44. Always start motorcycle engine in neutral.
Always start motorcycle from first gear when the engine is • Repeat the same operation to engage third, fourth, and
running. fifth gears.

1. Sit upright on the motorcycle and keep the engine idling. • To shift to lower gears, reverse the movement of the gear
2. See Figure 17. Pull the clutch hand lever in against han- shifter lever.
dlebar grip to fully disengage clutch.
• Disengage the clutch completely before each gear
3. See Figure 44. Push the foot shifter lever down firmly, but change.
gently, to end of its travel and engage first gear.
To start moving with motorcycle upright and engine idling: • Partially close the throttle so the engine will not drag
when clutch is again engaged.
Release the clutch hand lever slowly to engage the clutch
and at the same time, open throttle gradually. See Figure 17.
NOTE

See Figure 44. By lifting the gear shifter lever up, a higher
gear is engaged; by pushing the gear shifter lever down, a
lower gear is engaged. When stopping, operate gear shift
until you reach neutral. Neutral is 1/2 stroke up from first gear.
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5. See Figure 44. Gear shift pattern is first gear down; next
four gears up.
11
1WARNING
WARNING
When shifting to lower gears with the motorcycle in
motion, Do NOT downshift at speeds higher than those
listed in the table. Shifting to lower gears when speed is
too high may severely damage the transmission or cause
the rear wheel to lose traction resulting in possible loss
of vehicle control and death or serious injury.
CAUTION
Shift to neutral before stopping engine. Shifting mecha-
nism can be damaged by shifting gears while engine is
stopped.
NOTE
Always start motorcycle engine in neutral. Always start
motorcycle from first gear when the engine is running.
When engine speed decreases, as in climbing a hill or run-
ning at a reduced speed, shift to the next lower gear while
partially closing the throttle so the engine accelerates as
soon as the clutch lever is pulled.
6. Refer to Table 16. The recommended shift points are as
follows:
NOTE
The gear shifter mechanism on 5-speed motorcycles does
not permit shifting the transmission to neutral from second
gear. Neutral can only be engaged from first gear.
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Table 16. Changing Gear Speeds

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Shift sequence
GEAR CHANGE SPEED
2 3 4
5 neutral to higher gears
Acceleration (Upshift)
First to second 15 mph (25 km/h)
Second to third 25 mph (40 km/h) N
Third to fourth 35 mph (55 km/h)
Fourth to fifth 45 mph (70 km/h
Deceleration (Downshift) 1
Fifth to fourth 40 mph (65 km/h)
Fourth to third 30 mph (50 km/h)
Shift sequence
Third to second 20 mph (30 km/h) to lower gears
Second to first 10 mph (15 km/h)
4 3 2 1
5

Figure 44. Foot Shifter Lever

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