Should You Release the Throttle or Pull the Clutch First When Shifting Gears on a Motorcycle?
2 Answers
Whether to release the throttle or pull the clutch first when shifting gears on a motorcycle depends on the situation: When shifting from a lower gear to a higher gear, first close the throttle and then pull the clutch. When shifting from a higher gear to a lower gear, first pull the clutch and then close the throttle. Shifting from a low gear to a high gear: First accelerate, then reduce the throttle, quickly pull the clutch lever with your left hand to disengage the clutch, shift to the next higher gear, gently release the clutch lever, and then increase the throttle. Following these steps will allow you to gradually shift up to the highest speed gear. The key steps for shifting from a high gear to a low gear: First reduce the throttle to lower the speed, quickly pull the clutch lever, shift to the desired gear, then gradually release the clutch lever while increasing the throttle. When shifting from a high gear to a low gear, you must ensure the speed drops to match the speed range of the lower gear before shifting.
When shifting gears on a motorcycle, our advice is to first ease off the throttle before pulling in the clutch. Simply put, when you're riding and want to upshift or downshift, you should gently release the throttle to slightly reduce the RPM, then pull in the clutch to cut off the power, and finally shift gears. The entire process should be smooth and continuous. For example, when upshifting, easing off the throttle reduces the engine load, preventing gear grinding, which could otherwise damage the transmission or cause jerking. After riding for so many years, I've noticed that beginners often make the mistake of doing it the opposite way—like pulling in the clutch before releasing the throttle—which leads to severe slipping and jerking, making the bike lurch uncomfortably and wearing out the clutch plates faster. Here's a quick tip: Timing is key. It's best to shift gears when the RPM is stable, avoiding sudden acceleration or high-speed hard braking. Keeping throttle control smooth will make your ride steadier and more fuel-efficient. Remember, practice makes perfect—after a few tries, it'll become second nature.
