I was just sitting around staring at my beautifully customized Royal Enfield Classic 350. Suddenly, a question pops into my mind: Why is neutral gear not at the end of the bike’s gear pattern?
Out of curiosity, I searched the whole internet. After hours of digging, I found that the sole reason neutral gear isn’t placed at the end of a bike’s gear pattern is to prevent riders from losing control of the throttle during panic situations.
Keep reading the article to thoroughly understand why it is like that.
How Does a Motorbike’s Transmission Work?
Before getting into the topic, let’s understand the working of a motorbike’s gears.
Several crucial components are involved in the working of a motorcycle’s transmission. It includes the main shaft and countershaft, which carry gears, the shift forks and shift drum, which physically move the gears to change them, and the shift linkage, which connects the rider’s foot pedal to the shift drum.
One thing I skipped is that a motorcycle’s transmission uses different types of gears, including fixed, freewheeling, and slider. The reason behind this variation is to provide different gear ratios.
These components work together to transmit engine power.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
- Disengaging the clutch: Initially, the rider engages the clutch to temporarily disconnect the power of the engine from the transmission. In this way, the rider can select a new gear without causing damage to the internal mechanics.
- Selecting the gear: Next, the rider activated the gear lever. Which gear the driver selects will depend on the speed and power needs.
- Spinning the gears: Once the rider activates the gear lever, a fixed gear locked on the main shaft receives the direct power from the engine, allowing it to spin at engine speed.
- Engaging the slider gear: Whenever the rider changes the gear, it involves a slider gear on the countershaft. The shift fork moves the slider gear to mesh with the fixed gear. It determines the new gear ratio.
- Power Transferring through the Gearset: Once the rider engages the new gear, power flows through the newly configured gearset, determining the amount of power delivered to the wheels and controlling the bike’s speed.
- Releasing the Clutch: Now is the time, the rider releases the clutch, re-establishing the connection between the engine and the transmission. The power is transmitted through the new gear setting, propelling the bike forward.
- Gear Linkage: The gear lever includes a ratchet mechanism to ensure gears lock into place accurately. It prevents gears from slipping.
- Movement of the Shift Forks: The shift forks and shift drum move the slider gears into place. The shift drum is designed to ensure the precise positioning of the gears.
- Integration with the Drive Chain: Lastly, the torque generated by the selected gear is transmitted to the rear wheel through the drive chain or belt, completing the process of power delivery to the motorcycle’s drivetrain.
Why is Neutral Between the 1st and 2nd Gears, Not at the Last?
In a motorcycle’s gear pattern, neutral is between the 1st and 2nd gears.
Most bikes have this gear order: 1 – N – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6
This gear pattern is designed to prevent riders from losing control of the throttle during panic situations. Suppose you’re driving on the highway and suddenly an object appears in front of your car.
At that time, you must apply the brakes along with downshifting the gears like everyone does. You try to downshift into 1st gear to be ready to move again. If neutral is at the end, you might accidentally shift into neutral due to panic, stopping the power transmission, leading to loss of control over the throttle.
When you try to give throttle, your bike won’t move. It could be dangerous when you’re on the highway, as you suddenly get stuck in the middle, increasing the risk of fast-moving vehicles hitting you from behind.
In short, neutral is between the 1st and 2nd gears, so that you can easily find it while slowing down, but won’t accidentally hit it while riding faster.
How Dangerous It Could Be to Hit Neutral While Riding Fast?
It could be extremely dangerous if you accidentally hit neutral while riding fast because it removes engine braking and acceleration, leading to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
If you try to shift back into a gear from neutral while moving fast, the sudden difference in speed between the transmission’s input and output shafts can cause a loud clunking sound and may damage the transmission.
Therefore, hitting neutral while riding fast can be risky for both you and your bike.
Wrapping Up
You must have known the reason behind the neutral being placed between the 1st and 2nd gears, not the end of the bike’s gear pattern. Imagine being in a panic situation and losing throttle control at high speed. It is a disaster, right?
That is why engineers thought ahead and created the 1 – N – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 gear pattern to make sure that doesn’t happen. So, next time you’re cruising on your bike, remember that neutral in the middle of 1st and 2nd gears doesn’t just deliver convenience, it’s a protection to give you a safe riding experience.
Don’t hit neutral at pace and stay safe!
