How difficult is it to learn how to change gears on a motorcycle?

I've driven standard transmission cars for 32 years. I also ride a 50cc scooter for commuting, but would like to upgrade to a ';proper-sized'; motorcycle. So, I'm wondering how difficult it is to learn how to drive a manual transmission motorcycle. Or should I consider a larger, automatic scooter (400 - 500 cc range). Thanks.How difficult is it to learn how to change gears on a motorcycle?
You will find that the shifting on a cycle is far more forgiving than a standard shift on a car. Everything is so much smaller that it won't magnify any mistakes as much.

Still I wouldn't mind a automatic on a cycle myself, just one thing less to do.

A few cycles are now equipped with automatic transmissions as well as larger scooters.

Do as you will and test drive a few and make up your mind from what you like. DON'T let the difficulty of shifting a cycle sway your decision as it is very easy to do.

I taught my X how to ride a cycle and shift in a matter of minuets and she couldn't even drive a car, much less shift.

Being as you will probably be in a far different way of riding let me offer you these points.



1.- Ride in the left tire track of the cars, closest to the center lane (left side in the US). Never ride in the center of your lane. Oil from the cars and trucks collect there and get absorbed into your tires making them slippery for braking and leaning into a turn. It is close impossible to stop if it starts to rain.

By being in the left lane (US) a car passing you has to go into the other lane to pass. Some drivers will just go into the other lane partially if you ride in the right track coming way to close to you and leaving you nowhere to go. By being in the left track you have a whole lane to move over into if need be.

2.- RAIN, you can't stop Worth a tinkers dam on wet pavement. The tread pattern on newer bike tires aren't made for rain as well, as you have no weight to press down through the water and hydroplaning is a big problem.

3. Ride as though every other vehicle on the road is out to get you. Some way, somehow that guy is going to try to kill you, so be ready. This has saved my life more than onceHow difficult is it to learn how to change gears on a motorcycle?
Larger scooters are more expensive than a regular motorcycle. If you can drive a manual you can ride a motorcycle. It is easy to shift. Probably the hardest thing for a beginner biker to do is to find neutral. On all bikes the shifting pattern is like this



5

4

3

2

Neutral

1



With some bikes having a 6th gear and some having only 3 or 4. Firm positive shifts will ensure you do not go into neutral instead of 2nd and with a little finesse, you will be hitting neutral when you want to in no time at all.



Good luck and remember a happy biker always has bugs in their teeth!
It is not difficult to learn shifting gears, but you may have some trouble doing it if you havent ever tried riding a bike, evevn a bicycle. But if you have the habit if riding the bicycle even as a child, it should not be a big problem you will learn in a day or two.
Not difficult at all as you already understand the concept.

All that's different are your physical movements.

In fact, those are easier than in a car.
im 15. i learned how to ride a manual transmission bike last year within 20 mins. just ease out the clutch with the gas when getting out of 1st gear is the hardest part. and when in doubt just pull the clutch
If you can drive a standard transmission car you can change gears on a motorcycle. You just become familiar with what controls what and it's a snap. Good luck. Tom
Not hard to learn, almost instinctual if you can already drive a manual trans.
Go take a rider course like ccrider or iron horse they will teach you
Shifting the gears on a motorcycle is the easy part. The real techniques that need to mastered on a motorcycle is the use of the clutch.



The shifter is a 1 down, four up on most bikes. (For a common five speed transmission) That means from the neutral position you squeeze the clutch in and press the shifter down once and you are in first gear ready to go. Give it a little gas and slowly release the clutch to send power to the rear wheel. As you accelerate you simply squeeze the clutch, while letting off the gas a bit, pull the shifter up with your toe with the clutch fully squeezed in, give it gas and release the clutch all in a smooth motion. Just takes a bit of practice. Also, a motorcycle requires you to shift through all the gears, up and down unlike a car. On most you need to downshift while still rolling or it gets ';hung up';. That takes a bit of practice or you end up in a higher gear when stopped which makes a start off almost impossible.



Even more important than shifting gears on a motorcycle is to learn to use the clutch to balance and control the bike in low speed situations.

Many new, and too many experienced riders do not know the proper use of the clutch and are not in control of their motorcycle at less than 20 MPH. These are the one's you see with their feet dangling ';Duck walking'; while they try to navigate low speed situations such as stop and roll traffic and parking lots.



Most motorcycles have a ';wet clutch'; system which can be ';slipped'; much more than a car's ';dry clutch';. By using this feature the rider can do much more through the proper use of the clutch and rear brake to control much more than just the speed of the bike. Using the ';Friction zone'; of the wet clutch can greatly improve low speed balance, handling and control of a motorcycle no matter the size and weight of the bike. Together with clutch and rear brake techniques and proper use of head position and focal point for the rider's eyes you can be in almost total control of your bike at all times. Other techniques such as ';counter steering'; and properly navigating curves and turns must also be mastered for ';safer'; riding.



You can Google ';Ride like a Pro YouTube'; for video illustrating these points.



Ride safe and often!