User's Manual Part 4

Operation

Shifting Gears

Shifting Gears While Driving

1. Start the engine. See page 70.

2. With the engine at idle speed, apply the front brakes.

3. Disengage the clutch (pull the clutch lever fully toward

the handlebar).

4. Push the toe lever downward until you feel it stop in first

gear.

5. Release the brake lever.

6. Simultaneously release the clutch lever while opening

the throttle (rolling the throttle control grip rearward) in

one smooth motion. As the clutch begins to engage, the

motorcycle will move forward.

7. To shift to a higher gear, accelerate smoothly to the

recommended shift point. See Recommended Shift Points

chart. With a quick motion, simultaneously close the

throttle completely and disengage the clutch. Raise the

toe shift lever until you feel it stop at the next gear.

Simultaneously release the clutch lever and open the

throttle in one smooth motion.

Tip: Within the recommended speed ranges (see Recommended

Shift Points chart), you can downshift to slow the motorcycle or

to increase power. You may want to downshift when climbing a

hill or passing. Downshifting also helps to decrease speed when

combined with closing the throttle.

8. To shift to a lower gear (downshift), simultaneously pull

the clutch lever toward the handlebar and close the

throttle. Move the toe shift lever downward until you feel

it stop at the next gear. Simultaneously release the clutch

lever while opening the throttle.

WARNING! Downshifting improperly could cause transmission

damage, loss of traction and loss of control, which could result in

serious injury or death.

• Reduce speed before downshifting. Always downshift within the

recommended shift points.

• Use extreme caution when downshifting on wet, slippery or other

low traction surfaces. Release the clutch lever very gradually in

these conditions.

• Avoid downshifting in a curve. Downshift before entering the

curve.