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Choosing the correct gear is a key part of advanced riding because it affects control, response, stability and confidence. The gear selected should support what the rider is doing now and what they are likely to need next.
At learner level, riders are often taught gear choice in a simple way. Lower gears are used for slower speeds, higher gears are used for higher speeds. That is true as a starting point, but advanced riding requires more thought than that.
An advanced rider should not choose a gear because of speed alone. The correct gear depends on the road, the motorcycle, the hazard, the gradient, the surface, the available view, riders ability and the level of response required.
Gear choice is not about making noise or riding aggressively. It is about having the motorcycle ready, responsive and controlled.
Choice of gear sits within the Gear phase of IPSGA. The rider should gather information, take up the correct position, adjust speed, then select the gear that best supports the next part of the ride. Once the gear is selected and the motorcycle is settled, acceleration can be applied at the correct time.
This sequence matters because the gear should be chosen for the speed that has been set, not guessed before the speed is known. If the rider selects gear too early, it may not suit the final approach speed. If the gear change is left too late, it may become rushed and untidy.
The focus of this lesson is the choice itself. Timing of gear changes will be covered later.
The correct gear is the one that gives the rider the right level of control, flexibility and response for the situation.
There is no fixed gear that works for every road or every motorcycle. A large-capacity touring bike, sports bike, adventure bike, small twin and older classic motorcycle may all require different gear choices for the same road speed.
This is why advanced riders should avoid rigid thinking. The question is not simply, “What gear should I be in at 30 mph?”
The better question is: “What gear gives me the control and response I need for what is happening next?”
A good gear choice should allow the motorcycle to respond without delay, harshness or unnecessary engine strain.
You must understand the usable range of gears on your own motorcycle. This is more useful than giving a fixed RPM figure.
Every engine has a range where it feels smooth, responsive and controlled. Below that range, the engine may labour. Above that range, the engine may be too busy, sharp or unnecessary for normal road riding.
The rider should learn to feel when the engine is comfortable. Engine note, vibration, throttle response and drive through the rear wheel all provide information, you must practise this under instruction to become familiar if it is a new process.
If the engine struggles when the throttle is opened, the gear is probably too high. If the motorcycle feels harsh or overly sensitive for the situation, the gear may be too low.
Riding in too high a gear is a common issue, especially with riders who want to be smooth or economical. It can feel relaxed, but it can also reduce control. It also encourages braking at the wrong stage as the bike will feel like it is running on into the hazard.
If the gear is too high, the engine may labour and respond slowly when the rider opens the throttle. This can leave the rider poorly prepared when drive is needed, especially when exiting bends, joining faster roads, moving through roundabouts or responding to traffic.
Riding in too low a gear can also create problems. The engine may rev unnecessarily, the throttle may become sharp, and small changes in throttle position may produce larger reactions than intended. The bike acts like a seesaw when the throttle control is not proficient.
This can make the motorcycle feel less settled, especially on bends, poor surfaces, wet roads or when carrying a pillion. The correct gear should give a useful response without making the motorcycle feel aggressive or unsettled.
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Gear choice should always support the hazard or road condition being approached. For bends, the selected gear should allow the rider to maintain a smooth, balanced throttle through the bend and accelerate progressively when the view opens and it is safe to do so. Too high a gear may leave the bike flat on exit. Too low a gear may make the throttle too sensitive.
For junctions and roundabouts, the gear should give flexibility. The rider may need to stop, slow further, continue, or accelerate into a safe gap. The gear should match the decision the rider is preparing to make.
For overtaking, the gear should give a clean and immediate response before the rider commits. Too high a gear may increase time spent on the offside of the road. Too low a gear may force another change during the manoeuvre.
For hills and gradients, the rider must adapt early. Uphill, a lower gear may be needed to maintain drive. Downhill, good gear selection can support control, but should not become a substitute for braking.
Surface and weather also matter. In wet, greasy roads or loose conditions, the rider may need smoother drive and more sensitive throttle use. The aim is to choose a gear that gives manageable response and suits the grip available.
There are several common faults linked to poor gear choice.
Too high a gear can make the motorcycle feel flat and unresponsive. Too low a gear can make it feel sharp, noisy or unsettled. Neither supports good advanced riding.
Some riders are in the habit of forcing the engine to slow the motorcycle down, they do this by selecting a lower gear and releasing the clutch to make the bike slow down. This can damage the transmission and is not an advanced technique.
Poor gear choice before bends, junctions, roundabouts or overtakes can reduce stability, delay acceleration, increase exposure time, or force an unnecessary gear change during the manoeuvre.
Each of these faults reduces the planned, smooth and flexible standard expected of an advanced rider.
You must understand that gear choice is not about fixed rules or memorising exact gears for exact speeds. It is about choosing the gear that best supports control, response and stability.
Every motorcycle is different, learn to listen to the engine, feel the response, and assess whether the gear selected gives the motorcycle what it needs for the next part of the ride.
You should know the difference between being in a gear that works and being in the best gear for the situation. Many riders can ride safely in a less-than-ideal gear, but advanced riding is about refinement.
When the gear choice is correct, the motorcycle feels ready. The rider does not need to force the machine, wait for delayed response, or manage unnecessary harshness.
The correct gear supports smoothness, stability and confidence. It allows the rider to maintain a controlled throttle, respond to changing conditions and apply acceleration when the plan allows.
Good gear choice should not be obvious because the ride should simply look calm and well managed.
On your next ride, begin to reflect on your gear choice and ask yourself:
Improving your choice of gear will make your riding smoother, more flexible and more controlled. It will also prepare you properly for the next part of the Gear phase: timing your gear changes so the motorcycle is settled before the next hazard.
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