A gear shift device is provided which changes speed by transmitting rotation of a shift spindle by gear shift operation input to rotation of a shift drum through an intermittent feed mechanism and a lost motion mechanism. An upstream rotation holding mechanism is provided to hold in a required rotational position an upstream rotating member of the lost motion mechanism which is rotated by gear shift operation input through the intermittent feed mechanism. When a required level of gear shift operation is done, the gear shift device changes speed adequately, without continuing gear shift operation, and thus improves operability.