Gears

[Mcv]

Im trying to relate what I know about gears from the car to my bike so I am hoping that some of you may be able to answer a couple of questions I have if possible.

Scenario 1.

Mini roundabout in town centre, I would do this like I would in the car in first gear as the exit to the right ( sitting at 3 o clock is closed) I would use back break and the bite on the clutch, then I am able to stop if needed and carry on if safe. Is that right?

scenario 2. Traveling on major road entering into a minor road left or right, assuming it is clear no view restrictions, the road isn't narrow and not up hill, in the car I would use 2 nd gear, is this the same for a motor bike? If that is right I assume I would have the correct speed and gear on approach and use a little bit of throttle to bring me into the junction.

[Susieque]

From what I've been taught yes, both scenarios you have described sound the way to go.

I was told that, same as in a car, you choose the most appropriate gear for the speed and conditions, and as long as you can demonstrate good control and awareness/reaction to what is happening on the road then that's right.

Of course examiner's opinions do tend to vary!

You can be failed for being over-hesitant!

[Nell]

Im trying to relate what I know about gears from the car to my bike so I am hoping that some of you may be able to answer a couple of questions I have if possible.

Scenario 1.

Mini roundabout in town centre, I would do this like I would in the car in first gear as the exit to the right ( sitting at 3 o clock is closed) I would use back break and the bite on the clutch, then I am able to stop if needed and carry on if safe. Is that right?

scenario 2. Traveling on major road entering into a minor road left or right, assuming it is clear no view restrictions, the road isn't narrow and not up hill, in the car I would use 2 nd gear, is this the same for a motor bike? If that is right I assume I would have the correct speed and gear on approach and use a little bit of throttle to bring me into the junction.

 

Yeah that sounds fine, If the junction is particularly wide road, I've gone round in third before, but generally second gear, and you can't really go wrong. You could take the mini roundabouts in second as well if appropriate, but as you say you need to match the gear to the speed. Go too quickly and you risk running wide - loss of control and so on.

[Weebl]

Don't get hung up about which gear you are in. Get the speed right, get into the gear which for that speed will allow you to accelerate or complete your maneuver safely, that is the correct gear. It does not matter if it is first, second or third.

It's not like a car where somebody is sat watching you and can see exactly which gear you are in and have arbitrarily decided that X gear is correct, so if you do it in a different one you are wrong. Only you will know what gear you are in, sometimes not even you will know (dead easy to forget if you are in fourth or fifth for example, and it does not actually matter really) Don't race or labour the engine and complete the maneuvers at a safe speed, if you do that, you were in the right gear.

[Mcv]

Lol, I'm usually the one in the car watching and advising what gear to be in and how improvements can be made in certain road situations, it's difficult on a bike being alone there isnt instant advice on if something is correct or could be done better, my hubbie came out with me last week but his bike (R1) is so bloody loud behind me it puts me off, when I get to grips with it, it won't be a problem x

[OhJay]

Don't forget you can and should slip the clutch a lot more on the bike than in the car. Keep the revs up and control your speed with the clutch, the engine's rotation will have a significant effect on your balance and you want to keep that little bit of drive going to the wheel to help your stability.