How Do The Gears Work On A Dirt Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

The shift pattern on a normal dirt bike or motorcycle is going to have first gear at the bottom (shift lever clicked down until you are no longer getting any lower of a gear). Then in between first and second there will be neutral, and the rest of the gears are on top of that.

How does a dirt bike shifter work?

How many gears do a dirt bike have?

The reason most modern bikes come with

five speeds

instead of four speeds is because Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki have no idea what the end user is going to do with the bike once he buys it. Because of this, they spec five close-ratio gears instead of four widely spaced gears.

How do you shift a manual dirt bike?

What gear do you need to ride a dirt bike?

The most essential protective gear a motocross rider must wear are

a helmet, boots, goggles, MX kit (pants, jersey, gloves), knee and elbow pads/braces, chest protector/body armor, and a neck brace

. Keep in mind that all this gear must be specifically designed for motocross or dirt bike riders.

Do you have to hold the clutch when shifting on a dirt bike?


Yes, you can shift a dirt bike without the clutch

, moving up and down in the gears. There is much debate about whether it is harmful. Shifting the dirt bike up (from first to second to third ect) will be ok. Shifting in specific ways may cause damage to your transmission.

How do you shift gears on a dirt bike without a clutch?

Can you start a dirt bike in gear?

Once you’ve started to bike and let it warm up a little,

you can pull the clutch and step on the shift pedal, and now you’re in first gear

. Give the bike some gas and release the clutch. Make sure you always hold the clutch when you are shifting up, but you do not need to when shifting down.

How do you know if your dirt bike is neutral?

Is riding a dirt bike hard?


Learning to ride a dirt bike is not hard if you get the proper training

. Whether you’re on a dirt bike with a clutch or not, you only need to focus on the basic controls of the bike. These include the throttle, clutch, and brake. Balancing on a dirt bike is a very similar feeling to balancing on a bicycle.

How should you know when to shift?

Generally, you should

shift gears up when the tachometer is around “3” or 3,000 RPMs; shift down when the tachometer is around “1” or 1,000 RPMs

. After some experience with driving a stick shift, you’ll be able to figure out when to shift by the way your engine sounds and “feels.” More on that below.

Are all dirt bikes automatic?


Most dirt bikes are not automatic

since automatic transmissions are unsuited to the wide variety of terrain that dirt bikes ride on. But with a manual transmission, a clutch allows you more control over rough, rocky, or muddy terrain.

Do you let off the throttle when shifting?


Always close the throttle while shifting to prevent the front wheels from lifting

. Learn where the engagement point is to prevent stalling and to allow smooth shifting. Listen to the engine. By engine sound alone, you usually can tell when to shift gears or adjust the throttle.

Can you start a dirt bike in 2nd gear?


In most cases, you shouldn’t start off in 2nd gear

– it creates significant wear to your clutch and causes your engine to stall. In other cases like going downhill, starting off in 2nd gear is fine – it can save you the hassle of switching gears and won’t hurt your engine.

What is the gear pattern on a motorcycle?

The gear pattern is laid out with

first gear at the very bottom, followed by neutral, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sometimes sixth gear

. By sliding your left foot under the gear shift lever and lifting it upward, you shift to a higher gear. Each click equals one gear.

Do you need boots for dirt bike riding?

Do You Need Boots To Ride a Dirt Bike? In short, yes! Overall, 65% of bone fractures from dirt biking are below the waist.

Buying a pair of boots is absolutely a necessary part of riding so that you can keep yourself safe.

Do you wear pants under dirt bike pants?

Under dirt bike pants, you won’t need to wear a lot of protection, but

it is best to wear compression pants

. These will ensure that you won’t have any movement, friction, or chafing. If you fall, it can provide padding in vital areas.

How do you ride a dirt bike for beginners?

When should you clutch a dirt bike?

You will use your clutch

when trying to shift gears or when you need to bring your dirt bike to a standstill so that your engine does not stall when it is not in gear

. To use the clutch you will need to pull the clutch lever all the way until it touches the handlebar. The clutch will feel easier to pull in.

How do you drive a dirt bike clutch?

  1. Make sure that the dirt bike is started and in neutral.
  2. Pull in the clutch lever, then step the toe of your left foot down on the shifter to engage first gear.
  3. Slowly start twisting the throttle while simultaneously releasing your clutch.

How do you shift without clutch?

Do you have to use the clutch to downshift on a motorcycle?


No clutch required

. To get a feel for the timing of things, it can help to gently preload the shifter with your toe. That way, as soon as you air the throttle, the shift lever moves up and the gears change.

How many kicks should it take to start a dirt bike?

As a rule of thumb, if my bike takes more than

five kicks

to fire up as time progresses I will begin investigating possible starting issues.

What happens when you start a bike in gear?


The engine will start revving once you have started the bike either with the electric starter button or the kickstart

. However, once you start releasing the clutch to move forward the motorcycle, the engine will die down. This is because, you are trying to start your journey at a high gear, and hence, high speed.

How can I make my dirt bike kickstart easier?

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.