extreme newbie question on shifting.

ok. i finally found a kz650 about a months ago that wasn't to far away. i keep a pretty busy schedule, so i haven't had a great deal of time to get to it. that, and this is my first bike, so i didn't even have my permit yet. i go my permit during the week, and this is my first bike is why i am posting.

i hoped on this morning, and did a couple of spins up and down the street, and i just want to make sure i am doing things write. did i mention that i haven't rode any bike in about 17 years.

so, i started off ok, a little jerky, but that can be expected. the bike felt good and solid. i got up to third gear and back down with no problems. well, i was jerking a chirping ever so slightly with each shift. i don't seem to have the timing of things down, and the tach appears to be broke, so that is of no help.

...but my question is actually fairly simple. so i go down 1 for first, then up for second and third and so on. and then back down. so, ...i am confused ass to how to put the bike into neutral. i managed to do it while i was stopped. ...is this the only time you can do it?

again, sorry for such a basic question. i only have my permit, today was my first time on it. i haven't taken the course yet, so that is of no help.

thanks,
travis.

Yep, one down, rest are up. As far as neutral goes, I usually go all the way down to first and then give the shifter a little nudge up to get it there. I'm pretty sure I've nudged it into neutral from 2nd, but it's pretty hard (for me) to do on command.

I'm a fairly new rider too and my biggest shifting mistakes are going from first to second (sometimes I would land in neutral and rev the boogers out of it) and trying to get into a higher gear when I've already run out of gears.

Not sure if your bike will be the same, but I've also learned that my 2nd gear has a very distinct sound if you listen for it. That helps me keep track of where I am in the gears.

Congrats on your bike, and make sure to post pictures when you get a chance!

Edit: Just re-read my post and yours and realized I didn't answer the question. Yes, it's possible to put it in neutral with the bike rolling. I do it every time I ride to work

Neutral is "half step" between first and second. You can do it while moving, and probably will unintentionally!

For most people, especially with a bike that needs fettling of the clutch adjuster/cable/etc, it's a lot easier to shift into neutral while the bike is still moving somewhat....say at less than 10 MPH. The other option is to have the engine stopped and then find neutral....but of course that's not an option in traffic.
A "half-a-notch" up from low is usually easier for most people, as posted earlier. The biggest thing is to make sure the clutch lever is pulled all the way back to the handgrip.
Sometimes moving the bike a little bit forward/backward
(with the clutch lever pulled in and engine running) will help too.

I'm surprised no one mentioned this but Kawasaki has an exclusive "neutral finder" Basically after you down shift and come to a stop in first, with the bike NOT moving if you shift up it will ONLY go into neutral and not second. You can also come to a stop in any gear and click down to first with same results. The bike has to be moving for shifter to go in to second so at a stop neutral is very easy to find!

I usually find first then neutral. First is easier to find (can't shift any lower!)

As stated before the "positive neutral finder" is a cool gizmo and works very well - but the bike must be stopped to use it! I think that 1978 was the first year they had it, so earlier bike may still be the "half-shift and hope" trick!

Now try it on an old Triumph with no fancy neutral indicator!

Positive Neutral is a good feature, especially if your neutral light doesn't work. Mine comes and goes.
Normally, it's not a problem, but you might kick into neutral when you meant to go into second. That can be because you're going really slow, and the neutral finder thinks you're still stopped, or because you just didn't use a full kick to get thru neutral and into second. You'll get used to it....

wow, thanks for the input guys. it is an '81, so it will definitely have the positive neutral shifter. good to know. now i just need to learn to shift the thing smoothly.

it goes into the shop tomorrow (or wed.) to have it tuned, and looked over to see what my plan will be for maintainence. everything seems in good shape, but i am sure there is something waiting around the corner for me.

i am placing an order for a Clymer manual now.

Thanks for that tip, John. Positive neutral finder....I'll have to check it out, if the flippin' rain ever stops. It's absolutely pissing down in sheets right now and is supposed to be like this for 2 solid days.
I'm still on the lookout for an owner's manual for my C2 that would have stuff like the neutral finder in it. I'm sure it's got a bunch of other stuff in it that would be interesting to know as well.

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We don't need him running before he can walk...