First find neutral ... once you do, press down on the gearshift lever. This is first gear. When ready to shift to second, pull up fully on the gearshift lever passing through neutral and in to second. As you continue to shift up in the same fashion, you´ll go in to third, fourth, and finally fifth gear. I suspect you may have been starting in Neutral and pulling up in to second to start out rather than pressing down in to first. Ride Safe! - Paul