Gears

[SkyRider]

Question for those members who drive a stick shift car, truck and/or motorcycle.

Question: How many gears (speeds) do you have and how many do you actually need?

 

[IM469]

For small cars - stick is fun if you are out of the city. My previous cars had either 4 or 5 forward speeds. I hate stick in city traffic. I have a auto with manual which allows me to manually gear down for slowing on icy winter roads and start in 2 gear to prevent spinning.

 

[SkyRider]

For small cars - stick is fun if you are out of the city. My previous cars had either 4 or 5 forward speeds. I hate stick in city traffic. I have a auto with manual which allows me to manually gear down for slowing on icy winter roads and start in 2 gear to prevent spinning.

Yeah, you need a long open road to fully utilize all 4-5 gears. For city driving, you probably never get to the 3rd gear before you hit a stop sign, red light, traffic jam, etc.

It's been years since I drove a stick or a motorcycle. Real men drive stick.

BTW: A few years ago, my friend went to England. He rented a car and it was stick and they drive on the wrong side of the road. So, he was driving a stick shifting with his left hand (he is a natural righty) and driving on the wrong side of the road.

 

[Goodoer]

5 speed is good. 6 is lame as you'll never need the closer ratios (in a normal car).

I'll always have at least one stick as it is fun.

 

[whitewaterguy]

My Harley has 6
Sixth is used above 110/115 at which point the engine is practically napping. Makes for great long distance touring

 

[wilbur]

You don't have to shift through every single gear. Depends how heavy you are, and how soon you want to replace your clutch.