There is a neutral position for the selector drum between every adjacent gear (obviously one gear has to disengage before the next engages). They can make it available by putting a detent at a halfway position, thus a full movement of the gear lever will go past the neutral and a gentle nudge will let it settle at the mid position.You could have a drum designed for a halfway detent below first, but the danger is that you'd change down for a tight bend having misjudged which gear you're in and get neutral rather than first.
I would say it's so you can be sure of getting first first time every time. Let's face it once we're past 2nd it's often hard to know what gear we are in, so kicking down to first means we know where it is.
Quote from: HarryHornby on 09 April 2015, 09:25:27 amI would say it's so you can be sure of getting first first time every time. Let's face it once we're past 2nd it's often hard to know what gear we are in, so kicking down to first means we know where it is.It would still be easy to get 1st wouldnt it as it would just be all the way to the top or bottom
if you're on the motorway, and reach for "7th". and you find yourself in neutral?
Let's say you're hooning it - very tight corner, down to first
There is no corner in the world that I would need to go from hooning to 1stUmm 3rd to 1st on the Alps uphill switchbacks ,even mine wont climb in 2nd
Quoteif you're on the motorway, and reach for "7th". and you find yourself in neutral? No you wouldnt as neutral would be next to 1st which is at the other end, going for 7th would be just like it is now-- a dead end
Quote from: Fazerider on 09 April 2015, 09:46:29 amThere is a neutral position for the selector drum between every adjacent gear (obviously one gear has to disengage before the next engages). They can make it available by putting a detent at a halfway position, thus a full movement of the gear lever will go past the neutral and a gentle nudge will let it settle at the mid position.You could have a drum designed for a halfway detent below first, but the danger is that you'd change down for a tight bend having misjudged which gear you're in and get neutral rather than first. I knew some one would give a explanation that I didn't quite understand- thanks anyway
10mph would still be 2nd, there's just too much engine braking in 1st - talking FZS 600 here.
I will take no riding lessons from you sir !
I'm used to playing the gearbox like a piano
QuoteI'm used to playing the gearbox like a piano'I'm playing all the right notes—but not necessarily in the right order' (Eric Christo Morecambe 1971)