What is the difference between international gear pattern and sequential gear pattern on motorcycles?
2 Answers
International gear pattern and sequential gear pattern have different shifting methods. Here are their differences: 1. International gear pattern: First gear is engaged by pressing down, while gears from second onwards are engaged by lifting up. It's impossible to shift directly from the highest gear to neutral; you must downshift one gear at a time. 2. Sequential gear pattern: You can continuously press down to upshift, and when reaching the highest gear, pressing down once more will cycle back to neutral. Below is extended information about motorcycle speed regulations: 1. Flat roads: 40-60 km/h is the economical speed for motorcycles, being both safe and fuel-efficient while causing minimal wear. 2. General motorcycles: Most motorcycles can reach 80-120 km/h. 3. Racing motorcycles: Special racing motorcycles can exceed 300 km/h. 4. Experimental motorcycles: Scientific research motorcycles can reach speeds up to approximately 700 km/h.
I've been riding motorcycles for many years, and the international shift pattern is the most common gear layout. Neutral is in the middle position, stepping down engages first gear, and pushing up shifts to second, third, and so on. You can't directly shift from the highest gear back to the lowest. As for the rotary shift pattern, it's like a circle—you can continuously push up from first gear to the highest gear, and stepping down again can return you to first gear or neutral. While this sounds convenient, it's prone to misoperation during fast riding, such as accidentally shifting into neutral at high RPMs, which poses a significant risk of sudden engine slippage. Personally, I prefer the international shift pattern for long-distance travel because it's stable and reliable, reducing the chance of accidents caused by incorrect shifts. The design of a motorcycle's gear system affects daily safety and maintenance costs, so prioritize your riding habits when choosing. Once you train muscle memory with the international shift pattern, mistakes are almost nonexistent.
