In a motorcycle, why is the neutral position typically above the first gear and below the second?

Question

In a motorcycle, why is the neutral position typically above the first gear and below the second?

In: 1946

Answer 1

This pattern (6-5-4-3-2-neutral-1) keeps the bike in gear at all times until you purposely put it into neutral with a half click up from first.

If the neutral position was at the bottom position (6-5-4-3-2-1-neutral) you would need to shift out of neutral every time you stop or slow down to be sure you are in first gear.