Polaris 2016 INDIAN Chief Classic - Manual (Page 84)

82
Operation
Shifting Gears
Shifting Gears While Driving
1. Start the engine. See page 79.
2. With the engine at idle speed, apply the front brakes.
3. Disengage the clutch (pull the clutch lever fully toward
the handlebar).
4. Push the toe lever downward until you feel it stop in first
gear.
5. Release the brake lever.
6. 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.
7. 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.
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.
8. 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.
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.