Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Ok, I got my first bike! I bought a used 04 Alphasports off of DivideOverflow on this forum. I have been riding it up and down my street for the past couple of days to get a handle on the clutch and the basics. I seem to be able to get it going but have some questions about shifting gears. I am fine in first but then it gets hard.

So, I am driving in first and then I pull the clutch in and push it up to 2nd. Do I give it throttle while pulling the clutch in and switching gears or do I stop everything and just pull the clutch in and switch to second and then slowly release the clutch and give throttle?

Once I am in second, then what? When I am coming to a stop do I need to pull the clutch in and put it to 1st before stopping so I can start all over again? Or can I leave it in second and start in 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) gear from a complete stop?

I don't want to hurt anything on the bike. I keep going up and down my street (which is not a busy street) and practice with the gears. Currently I am putting it only in second and am always putting it back into 1st before stopping.

Any help on changing gears and clutch help would be great. I am going to take the MSF course but I can't until April. I am trying not to learn any bad habits but learn the basics.

Thanks,
Eric

as long as you pull the clutch in you can stop in whatever gear you like.
Your bike is probably capable of starting in 2nd but it takes good clutch and throttle control. Stick to starting at first gear for now.

to upshift

let off the throttle

Pull in clutch

select next gear

slowly release clutch while giving a little gas

When coming to a stop I find it easiest to downshift as I am braking. Basically you just downshift 1 gear at a time and let it engine brake a bit as your slowing down. By the time you hit 1st you should be nearly stopped