Polaris 2009 Victory Vegas - Manual (Page 79)

74
OPERATION
Shifting Gears
1. To engage first gear, start the engine (see Starting the Engine on page 71).
2. With the engine at idle speed, engage the front brake (squeeze the brake lever) and disengage the clutch
(squeeze the clutch lever).
3. Push the shift pedal down until you feel it stop in first gear.
4. Disengage the front brake (release the brake lever).
5. Simultaneously moving both the clutch lever and the throttle control grip with a smooth, gentle motion,
gradually engage the clutch (release the clutch lever) and open the throttle (roll the throttle control grip toward
you). As the clutch begins to engage, the motorcycle begins to move forward.
6. To shift to the next higher gear, accelerate smoothly and easily to the recommended shift point (see
Recommended Shift Points on page 75).
7. With a quick motion, simultaneously close the throttle completely and disengage the clutch.
8. Raise the shift pedal with your toe, or depress it with your heel, until you feel it stop at the next gear.
9. Simultaneously moving both the clutch lever and the throttle with a smooth, gentle motion, gradually release
the clutch lever and open the throttle.
NOTE
: Within the recommended speed ranges (see Recommended Shift Points on page 75), you can downshift (shift to a lower
gear) to slow the motorcycle or to increase the available power. You may want to downshift when climbing a hill or passing.
Downshifting also helps to decrease your speed when combined with closing the throttle.
10. To shift to a lower gear, simultaneously pull in the clutch lever and close the throttle. Shift into the next lower
gear by depressing the shift pedal with your toe. Simultaneously release the clutch lever and open the throttle.