2nd Gear Sticking During Some Upshifts

[Rider Rick]

Hi guys, put a few more miles on it tonight, and I noticed when it warmed up that occasionally when I tried to go from 2nd to 3rd it would not go, and I had to work the clutch and really shove up on it to get it to go to third. Other times it would work ok, but I think after I noticed it I was putting more cripsness into the upshift and it may have been pushng past the sticking point. Anyway, I know these things don't shift silky-smooth, but it is a definite phenomenon happening. Didn't happen on my ride last week, although not as much town shifting on that ride. I am going to check the service history to see if the tranny fluid was changed yet. Is this a known annoyance for these bikes?

[momentman]

Haven't experienced that problem
Reg

[Buckster]

I would check that as well. Mine seem to start shifting harder as it got closer to the service interval when I first bought it. I go with 75-140 synthetic and some Guard Dog moly every 12K. Shifts like buddah!!

[Rider Rick]

Lol, anything called Guard Dog has to be good ...I don't see a record of changing, but with 9k it probably didn't come up, still need to familiarize with the service intervals...thanks! I assume there is a trusted source for the liquids for this bike?

[ColumbiaBMW]

There is a great write up in the "Maintenance" section of this forum that explains how to change the engine, final drive, and transmission fluids. I try to use Mobil 1 75w-90 in the final drive, and Mobil 1 75w-140 in the transmission, never tried the Guard Dog Moly though...maybe I'll try that next time.

[Rider Rick]

Hi guys, will try to service it today, rode down to the tag office so they could verify the vin and get the title switched, and it does it when cold, too. Seems to do it mostly at higher rpms, stress on tranny I guess. If I shift to third at low rpms it seems to go in more easily, no sticking in 2nd.


Is THIS the moly you are suggesting for the tranny?

http://guarddogmolylubricants.com/gd422.shtml

[Buckster]

http://guarddogmolylubricants.com/gd401.shtml
Rick,
This is the one I use. You may want to call them. I don't see much difference in the two. I use the GD- 401 in the tranny and final drive so that might be why the GD- 401 was recommended by a guy named Dennis on this site.
Reminds me...I need to order some more!

[The Velvet Monkey]

I'v had this same issue for many many years. It happens only occasionally, often during longer rides when I assume the transmission is hottest. I've tried everything ( i.e., different lubes, weights) but it still occurs. It has manifested itself more as a nuisance than anything else.

Let me know if you find any resolution.

[Rider Rick]

VM, it's really a bother at times...sometimes you want to wind up 2nd and in the back of your mind you are thinking "aw crap, what if...".

Did you ever have it in to be looked at? I have the warranty on it so guess it could be worth a look-see by the dealer. It sounds like changing out the tranny oil will probably not fix it, given your experience. I need this fixed before June.

[jas]

try a slight double clutch or increase your revs a little when engaging into 2nd, your problems will go away. It took me a couple years of riding the bike before the tecnique was "mastered" and the mis-shift went away. move to a syn oil will help as well.

[Rider Rick]

Hey Jas, thanks, I will try the double-clutch thing...in fact, when it sticks I do that, and do some flailing with my toe to get that sucker into 3rd . The increasing revs part is opposite to my issue...if I stay low in 2nd and go to 3rd at a relaxed rpm it typically shifts ok...only when I get the rpms up higher and the torque builds does it refuse to go into third. Aggravating, lol. I will try the syn oil this weekend, and the moly if I can find it locally anywhere.

[sweatmark]

...when I tried to go from 2nd to 3rd it would not go, and I had to work the clutch and really shove up on it to get it to go to third... Is this a known annoyance for these bikes?

1. Confirm proper transmission lubricant, amount and type. I don't recommend any additives.

2. Practice the oilhead transmission "pre-load" shifting technique. The clucky shift is usually 1st-to-2nd.

3. Check your shift linkage. There's info here about maintenance and ball joint repairs.

4. The R1100s had weak transmissions, including 2nd/3rd troubles via bent shift dogs. Less common for R1150 bikes, but still not the most technically advanced transmissions.

5. There's weak anecdotal evidence re: shifting difficulties and clutch spline problems. Again, weak evidence and not worth fretting about.

[Rider Rick]

Hi guys, well this evening I went for a drive and, based on the advice of a long-time 2002 R1150R rider I trust, I made sure to keep by boot from applying any upward pressure on the shifter before actually performing the shift process. He said he'd found his tranny would act up if he did that, possibly due to some slight nudge of a sync process or something. Anyway, I only had one hang this evening, and I think I had had my boot tucked under there, so call that one a flyer. I will continue to monitor that.

I also changed out the tranny oil tonight to Mobil 1. The stuff that came out of the bike was red and smelled strongly like traditional gear oil. Is the BMW standard gear oil the red stuff? Guess we'll see if any improvement manifests.