Why are motorcycle transmissions designed with first gear down and the rest up so that you pass neutral going from first to second and when downshifting from second to first?

Question

Is there something inherently beneficial in this design or is it more of a holdover from old designs?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

So that if you are shifting down, relying on engine braking, you don’t suddenly find yourself in neutral.

Neutral at the bottom are not unheard of, but are not common.