Should a Motorcycle Be Parked in First Gear or Neutral?
2 Answers
For short-term parking, a motorcycle can be left in first gear, but for long-term parking, it must be in neutral. Regardless of the gear chosen for parking, always remember to engage the handbrake. During the break-in period, maintain the motorcycle's idle speed at 100 RPM, and ensure the gear corresponds to the speed. Relevant information about motorcycles is as follows: 1. Introduction: A motorcycle is a two- or three-wheeled vehicle powered by a gasoline engine, steered by handlebars for front-wheel direction, known for its lightweight, agility, and speed. It is widely used for patrol, passenger and cargo transport, and as sports equipment. 2. Classification: Motorcycles are categorized into street bikes, road racing motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, cruisers, and tourers, among others.
I've been riding motorcycles for almost twenty years, and there's really a knack to parking. On flat roads, shifting into neutral is the easiest—you can turn off and start the engine without pulling the clutch, which is especially handy at red lights. But if you're parking on a slope, always shift into first gear to lock the rear wheel. Otherwise, if the bike rolls back and hits another vehicle, the repair costs will far outweigh the fuel expenses. Once, while touring in a mountainous city, I forgot to shift into gear on a slope, and my bike rolled back over half a meter—luckily, it was stopped by a roadside bollard. An old riding buddy also taught me a trick: shifting into first gear when parked for long periods reduces stress on the transmission gears, especially for chain-driven bikes. But above all, safety comes first—always shift into first gear on a slope!
