Okay, so I finally got around to figuring out how to properly shift gears on my Harley. It’s not rocket science, but there’s definitely a feel to it that takes some getting used to. Here’s how I went about learning, and what I picked up along the way.
Getting Started
First things first, I made sure the bike was off. No need to start practicing with a running engine. I just wanted to get a feel for the clutch and shifter without any pressure.
I sat on the bike, feet firmly on the ground, and grabbed the clutch lever with my left hand. It’s the one on the left handlebar. I pulled it all the way in, nice and smooth. Then, with my left foot, I located the shift lever. It’s down there by your left footpeg.
The Shifting Process
- Neutral is Key: I wiggled the shifter up and down a bit. The key is to find neutral, where the shifter moves freely.
- First Gear: With the clutch lever still pulled all the way in, I pushed down firmly on the shift lever with my foot. That’s first gear. You’ll feel a little “clunk.”
- Up Shifting: From first, I practiced shifting up. Clutch in, lift the shift lever up with my foot, then slowly release the clutch while gently rolling on the throttle (remember, engine’s off, just simulating). Each “click” up is the next gear.
- Downshifting: Same idea, but in reverse. Clutch in, push the shift lever down, slowly release the clutch, and maybe even blip the throttle a bit (again, just pretending here).
Practice Makes Perfect (and Safe)
I spent a good amount of time just sitting there, going through the gears, getting the muscle memory down. Clutch in, shift, clutch out. Up and down, up and down. It felt silly at first, but it really helped.
Then, I started the bike. Finding neutral with the engine running is important. The little green “N” light on the dash is your friend.
The real practice started in a big, empty parking lot. Slow and steady. I focused on smoothly releasing the clutch while gently applying the throttle. Stalling is part of the learning process, so don’t get discouraged. I kept practicing the clutch-throttle coordination until it became second nature, and also the shifting sound. Now I even enjoy this “clunk” sound.
It took a few sessions, and a few stalls, but I finally got the hang of it. Now, shifting on my Harley feels pretty natural. It’s all about coordinating your hand and foot movements, and getting a feel for the bike’s response. It’s much fun now.
