Stuck Between Gears - My Fault?

[Brackstone]

Hi Guys,

Lately while I've been riding I notice I see to get stuck inbetween gears. Where if I relase the clutch and engage the engine I do get some momentum but if I was down shifting from a high gear and I'm at a stop light I will just stall out.

I have two questions:

1. Am I being too gentle when I change gears?
2. How do I get myself back IN gear?

Thanks!

[flynrider]

If what you're saying is you're stopped at a light and the bike doesn't shift down to first, that's pretty normal. Most bikes won't come all the way down to first from a high gear unless the bike is rolling a bit.

Two things you can do. 1). Shift all the way down to first as you are rolling to a stop. 2). If you're already stopped in high gear, let out the clutch just to the friction point and pull it back in. That should allow you to shift out of the gear you're in. You may have to do that for each gear you shift through.

The easiest way is to just shift all the way down as you roll to a stop.

[Brackstone]

If what you're saying is you're stopped at a light and the bike doesn't shift down to first, that's pretty normal. Most bikes won't come all the way down to first from a high gear unless the bike is rolling a bit.

Two things you can do. 1). Shift all the way down to first as you are rolling to a stop. 2). If you're already stopped in high gear, let out the clutch just to the friction point and pull it back in. That should allow you to shift out of the gear you're in. You may have to do that for each gear you shift through.

The easiest way is to just shift all the way down as you roll to a stop.

Thanks very much for that advice, it makes a great deal of sense.

[telefunkin]

That would happen sometimes on my old bike, I found pushing it forward a few steps usually fixed it.

[Brackstone]

That would happen sometimes on my old bike, I found pushing it forward a few steps usually fixed it.

I think you're correct because usually after I push it to the side of the road I can get back into gear. My problem was I usually did this going up a hill where the stoplight was at the top!

So I had to push the bike UP the hill lol

[vladmech]

You should also be able to have the same effect letting it roll back a bit. I do this in my driveway at times and it'll click right into gear.

[Derail]

On the same topic how many people stop in neutral vs 1st. I believe MSF said stop in 1st in case you have to move quickly, but I have a habit of stopping in neutral to give my hands and arms a break. Unless I know it will be a short light, in that case I stay in 1st.

[Brackstone]

On the same topic how many people stop in neutral vs 1st. I believe MSF said stop in 1st in case you have to move quickly, but I have a habit of stopping in neutral to give my hands and arms a break. Unless I know it will be a short light, in that case I stay in 1st.

Until I come to a complete stop and whatever is behind me comes to a complete stop I'm in first. After that if it's a long light I will put it into neutral to give my hands a break.

[acritzer]

On the same topic how many people stop in neutral vs 1st. I believe MSF said stop in 1st in case you have to move quickly, but I have a habit of stopping in neutral to give my hands and arms a break. Unless I know it will be a short light, in that case I stay in 1st.

Until I come to a complete stop and whatever is behind me comes to a complete stop I'm in first. After that if it's a long light I will put it into neutral to give my hands a break.

Same with me.

[Nibblet99]

I just ease the clutch out till it starts to bite, then pull it back in. bike will happily continue changing gears afterwards