This question may seem silly but I've been wondering about it forever. I don't ride, and have only ever been on the back of a bike. I grew up with boys and while I don't know much about bikes I've heard a lot of bike talk. From what i understand, when you start a bike youre in neutral, it's down to first gear then up to second and so on. So my question is: if your'e in second gear and you downshift are you then in neutral or first gear? I guess it makes sense that youd go into first from second while you're in motion? But then is it down to neutral? If it is then it would be down again to first then up to second? I don't get it.

If you're in 2nd and push down until the lever stops, you'll be in 1st. There's a slight "void" bewteen 1st and 2nd for neutral, you develop a feel for it. There's usually a light on your gauges that'll tell you if you're in neutral.

Ahaaa...thanks Windman!