2007-09-17 11:56:44 · 6 answers · asked by Star-Scream 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Well, my bike is 1 down, then "N" (except you can shift through it going up.) then 2, 3, 4, and 5 up. When I shift down from second, I get my "N". Only "bike" (It was actually a scooter) I ever rode with no "N" was a little Honda. You hit the gas to go, and squeezed the brake lever to stop. Nothing else to it.
The "N" between the one and two is two reasons. One is the design of the todays gearbox. First gear is very low, and on the bikes I ride does not mesh with any other gears to multiply the tourqe or RPM. Second is you can pick from first or second gear this way with only one shift depending on how you are loaded. I can take off in second gear with just me on the bike. When I have a load on it, I have to use first.
Just for the heck of it, look at a car tranny shifter! "N" is in the middle. Not all the way to the front, not all the way to the back. Right there in the middle. P-R-N-D-2-1. (The junk I drive, anyway. Don't own a car. Borrow a hooptie from a bud when I need one.)
It may be just the fact that is the way it has been done for many years. Bikes with strange controls do not sell well to people that have been riding for some time. Look at the new H-D's with the six speed tranny. The bikes now have a light to let you know when you are in sixth gear! Never before, but never a six speed on a HOG, either.
Not sure that is the real reason behind the motorcycle shift pattern, but it works for me. Been like that for 20+ years. If they ever change it I'm keeping my '99 FXDWG TC-88! Ciao!
P.S. And yeah. I never took a close look at the answer above, but you don't want to get that low speed first gear by accident. That will throw you right over the bars as quickly as that puppy will slow you down. It's like nailing both brakes big time. It'll kill you in the rain. Back tire just about stops unless you are on the wick.
2007-09-17 12:27:56 · answer #1 · answered by rifleman01@verizon.net 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The first answer is correct, but, it also has to do with the U.S. Department of Transportation standardization rules. Back in 1975 all bikes sold for street use in the U.S. had to shift on the left in the 1 down whatever up shift pattern. The Japanese bikes of the time already did it that way. The British bikes ( I believe it was only Norton and Triumph at the time) had to re-engineer and come up with left side shifters. Surprizingly, Harley Davidson's own Sportster model (originally a right side shifter) had to become a left side shifter for 1975 and on. I did own several pre 75 Kawasakis that shifted N12345 and presently own a 74 Norton Commando right side shift 1 up 3 down !!!!
2007-09-17 13:34:47 · answer #2 · answered by G B 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had a Suzuki in the early 70's that was 4 down. Neutral being on top.
2007-09-17 16:17:28 · answer #3 · answered by popeyethesadist 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is so when you come to a stop you are in first gear after downshifting and ready to go, incase the driver behind you doesn't see you have stopped.
2007-09-17 13:36:00 · answer #4 · answered by justin c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So you won't accidentally put in neutral when downshifting.
2007-09-17 12:02:27 · answer #5 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is N12345, on my quads.
2007-09-17 13:36:56 · answer #6 · answered by bill b 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋