Shifting Gears

Content Source: 2020 Indian FTR 1200 Owner’s Manual (9931391 R02) > Operation Chapter

IMPORTANT

The Owner's Manual for this vehicle contains warnings, instructions and other information you must read and fully understand before safely riding or performing maintenance on this vehicle.Always follow the warnings and instructions in Owner's Manual.

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Shifting Gears

WARNING

Forced shifting (with clutch engaged) could cause damage to the engine, transmission and drive train. Such damage could cause loss of control, which could result in serious injury or death. Always pull the clutch lever fully toward the handlebars to disengage the clutch before shifting gears.

Your motorcycle is equipped with a six-speed transmission. Neutral is located between first and second gear.

Press downward on the toe lever to shift to a lower gear. Lift upward on the toe lever to shift to a higher gear. Release the clutch lever after each gear shift.

Shifting to neutral is easiest if the motorcycle is rolling slowly. To shift from first gear to neutral, gently lift the toe lever a half stroke.

TIP

The transmission is in neutral if you can move the motorcycle forward or rearward freely without disengaging the clutch. If the ignition switch is in the ON position, the neutral indicator illuminates when the transmission is in neutral.

Shifting Gears While Stationary

To locate neutral when the motorcycle is stationary, use one of the following techniques to load and unload the transmission:

With the clutch disengaged (lever pulled inward), shift into neutral while rocking the motorcycle forward and rearward.
With the transmission in first gear, gently release the clutch until it just begins to engage. Apply upward pressure on the toe lever and quickly pull the clutch inward.

NOTICE

There is a Neutral indicator light on the instrument cluster.

Shifting Gears While Driving

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.

Start the engine. See Starting the Engine.
With the engine at idle speed, apply the front brakes.
Disengage the clutch (pull the clutch lever fully toward the handlebar).
Push the toe lever downward until you feel it stop in first gear.
Release the brake lever.
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.
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.
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.

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.

Recommended Shift Points

Upshifting (Accelerating)		Downshifting (Decelerating)
Gear Change	Recommended Speed	Gear Change	Recommended Speed
1 to 2	17 MPH (27 km/h)	6 to 5	40 MPH (64 km/h)
2 to 3	24 MPH (39 km/h)	5 to 4	35 MPH (56 km/h)
3 to 4	35 MPH (56 km/h)	4 to 3	29 MPH (47 km/h)
4 to 5	42 MPH (67 km/h)	3 to 2	20 MPH (33 km/h)
5 to 6	50 MPH (80 km/h)	2 to 1	10 MPH (16 km/h)