Shifting Gears

Shifting Gears

by Michele
(Philadelphia, PA)

I am a new rider I just got a Honda Rebel 2005 and I would like to no when you come to a stop sign do you always have to go to first gear. I live in the city and I can only get up to third gear before I have to stop again. I am starting to think it is a lot of work just to ride a bike. I don't want to lose the love of riding a my Honda Rebel.

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Shifting Gears

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Aug 01, 2011

Rebels Unite :)
by: Anonymous

My first bike was a 250 Rebel. You can start from second gear, but... not recommended. Tap all the way down to first as you are slowing to a stop, always. Make it a habit. As was mentioned earlier, you want to be able to get out of the way of trouble, and its hard to do that when you're starting from second. You say it is seeming like a lot of work to ride a motorcycle - just keep practicing your basics, and it will become second nature. You will always tap down to first, and you won't even really think about it. Practice, practice, practice. :)

Jul 23, 2011

Ride that Rebel
by: Anonymous

I also ride a Honda Rebel 250 and am also a new rider. At first I was not sure about down shifting. I thought I had to release the clutch in between gears but as long as I hold the clutch in and am slowing down to the stop I shift down smoothly until I need to come to a stop and drop all the way down into first. I check while stopped to make sure I am in first. I don't want to stall at the light. I also ride in Philly - lots of lights and stop signs and no open roads to speak of. Hard to get up much speed. I like to ride real early in morn since there is limited traffic and its cooler and since this is my first season of riding - its still all practice to me. I can try out things and experiment a little without cars honking at me and trying to pass. lol

Best of luck - don't give up - I find its getting easier and a lot more fun as I gain confidence.

Jul 18, 2011

Found out the hard way...
by: Anonymous

...just yesterday, took my first ride on real streets with real traffic and ended up stalling multiple times in the middle of a big, busy intersection because I didn't realize my bike was in second!

Talk about scary and embarrassing! Luckily, my guy was able to circle around quickly and yell to me that I was in second gear; then the problem was quickly resolved and I was on my way. Now I know to check (and double check!) that I really am in first gear while waiting on a light to change. At my skill level, I stall enough as it is without going up against a start from second gear!

Jul 18, 2011

First Gear
by: Sandra

You can "double shift" down to first from third - just give your bike a second or two between down shifts and keep the clutch pulled in. The reason you want to be in first is that you want to be ready to completely STOP (foot on ground) if necessary, AND you want to be ready to scoot out of the way QUICKLY if necessary. Intersections are our most dangerous areas. Being in 2nd and needing to quickly move out of the way is just asking to stall when you need to move the most. Vehicles don't really like to take off in 2nd gear; there's a finesse to it from LOTS of practice, and it is not wise to test your abilities when you are trying to avoid being hit. Try readjusting your mind attitude toward riding to "enjoy" the constant input required between you and your machine...the bike responds to your input...that's the most fun part for me - being totally engaged in the act of riding, not day dreaming about something else as I just roll along on auto-pilot like I do in my car...

No matter what your mindset though, remember that 70% of accidents are coming at you, most frequently someone turning into your path in your right of way. This happens at intersections. Keep your eyes open and your hands ready to respond.

Jul 18, 2011

Stopping
by: Anonymous

Shifting down to first should become routine when coming to a stop. When I see the stop sign ahead a start downshifting to slow down and by the time i get there I'm in first and ready to go.

That's a exercise we all learned in rider course and for good reason.

Jul 17, 2011

1st Gear
by: Anonymous

Taking off from a stop in 2nd gear is a difficult on my bike. I ride a HD sporty 883. If I don't go into 1st gear, my bike sputters and jumps and usually I kill it.

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