"Forward" pattern or "Reverse" pattern

Reverse pattern eliminates the possibility of accidentally going into to neutral (or worse yet-reverse) when making the 2-3 shift.

With reverse pattern you're moving the shift lever away from the neutral gate when you upshift. Normal pattern you're moving the lever toward the neutral gate. Go just a little too far on the 2-3 shift and you're in neutral (and hope you have a rev limiter). A little farther still and you're in reverse. That's real bad. Rear tires lock up and you lose control at considerable speed.

The race TH400 I had only freewheeled in 1st and 2nd, not 3rd.