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I have a 1983 Honda Shadow with a 6 speed transmission. In the straights it's fine, I can drop it down a gear or 2 if need be, the problem is when I'm approaching a turn. I seem to have difficulty remembering what gear I'm in, and don't know how many down shifts I need to do. So I end up shifting all the way down to first and then back up to the appropriate gear (usually 2nd gear, around my neighborhood). What do you guys do to keep track of your selected gear?

I just anticipate what I need. If I'm riding at low rpms and need to slow for a turn, I will often just down click two. If I'm at high rpms, I'll most likely stay in that gear.

Were I to shift all the way down to 1st and then back I'd probably hear a heavy "thunk". My bike doesn't like to downshift to 1st (assuming clutch held in) at speeds of more than 10 mph

Well, I have a gear indicator (muhahahaha) so I don't really have to keep track, BUT...

Not sure how long you've been riding your bike, but as you gain experience with it you'll get a feel for it and it'll be rather unconscious. I know how my bike feels, for example, doing 55 in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

If you have a tach, it can also be a clue. If I'm at 6.5k RPM and doing 65 - 70, I'm in 5th. If I'm at 5.5k RPM at 65 - 70, I'm in 6th. (If I'm at 9k RPM and going 65, I'm in 2nd. )

Also, your bike is probably different but, for me, the downshift action from 6th through 2nd is pretty easy but it takes just a leeeeeetle more pressure to get into 1st. So if I'm tapping my way down and hit some resistance, I know I'm in 2nd and don't want to go further.

Hope this helps!

I'm sure they had the knowledge back in 1983 to make a gear indicator for my bike ... guess they didn't think it would come in handy. Anyhow, I do have a tach, but it works when it wants to. I just got licensed on Tuesday after waiting two weeks to get my MSF certificate of passing, and I just got the bike insured yesterday. today is my first legal day of riding. However I've ridden the bike a couple of times during my 2 week waiting period (about 3 miles each time). I have an owner's manual that tells me when I can shift up and down... but that does me no good because I loose track of what gear I'm in. I guess I'll try to keep a tab in my head on as to what gear I'm in.

gsus wrote: I guess I'll try to keep a tab in my head on as to what gear I'm in.

This is what i had to do at first. Eventually, like said, you learn to recognize what gear you're in by the speedo and tach. Though admitedly, there are times when I think "hmm, is this third or fourth gear?" though I just tap up on the shifter and count the clicks and go back down. When I used to have my old car, I could tell you exactly what gear by the speed and tach, and what RPM i'd be at if i were to shift up or down at any speed in any gear. You learn your machine.

I don't have any problems knowing what gear to downshift to when I slowing to make a turn - I just go by feel. My problem is sometimes I'm not sure if I'm in fifth or sixth. A lot of times I'm already in sixth, don't know it, and I'll try to sift again just to make sure.

Ride ride ride, and ride some more.

I just remember.

I never even bother to know WHICH gear I'm in. I just keep in mind:

1. If the engine is lugging, then downshift. If its revving too high, then upshift.

2. If I need to accelerate quickly, downshifting MAY be a good idea (try without first).

3. I brake if needed, before a turn. If I slowed down a LOT, then I downshift.

4. Slowing to a stop, then just "tap, tap, tap" the shifter until it doesn't go down any more. ("All in. All down." As they say in the Basic Rider's Course.)

Since a motorcycle doesn't really have a shift "pattern" like a car, and there's no REVERSE to accidentally get into, does it really even MATTER which gear you're in? I mean, seriously.

If I'm not going fast enough, then I cannot shift into 6th gear from 5th. If I"m going too fast, then the bike won't shift down into 1st as I slow to a stop.

P

I do similar to Lion_Lady. In fact, a lot of times when we're in the mountains I lose track of what gear I am in and don't know until we get to a stop or open flat run for top gear. The rest of the time in between it's shifting to keep the bike in the effective rpm range.

In the city, it's easier to count as I don't often have enough room or speed limit to get over 3rd...but if I'm short shifting...4th...never 5th...err actually.. well, listen to your bike!