Neutral when shifting first to second

[Gonzo49i]

2004 R1150R 28K.
When I shift from 1st to 2nd the transmission lands in neutral about 50% of the time. I've tried preloading the shift lever with the same result. I can avoid neutral if I hold the shift lever in the up position as I release the clutch. I've tried varying amounts of clutch disengagement There are no false neutrals anywhere else along the shift sequence and it seems to occur more often when the bike is warmed up after a few miles. It does not occur downshifting into first.

Anyone have any ideas?

[billbeemer]

it's one of those "bmw" things. i had a K with the same problem. i just bought my '03 r1150r and am having to learn all over again. the best advice i can give is u have to give a distinct "pop" into second, quick and clean. good luck.

[riceburner]

Be firm with the lever, you can't just "snick" it into 2nd like you can with a japanese gearbox, it has to be a very positive, firm action. It's something that you get used to though.

[gregor]

As above -and keep the upward pressure on the pedal as you let in the clutch. The technique comes with practice.

[rikrdo]

Hi there.

Bought a 2004 R1150R 2 weeks ago and am having the exact same problem.
I have been doing my lurking, er...um: research here and am pre-loading, quick shifting and such, but I still have the missed shift between 1st and 2nd gears.
Yesterday I noticed more success when I got the RPMs up to around 4K. Didnt miss as many shifts, but I'm not sure if this is a good solution or not.
Still trying to find my way around her as my other bike is a 2001 Victory V92C...........a lil bit different ride.


Thanks for all the great info here !

[Gonzo49i]

I've found that holding the shift lever up while releasing the clutch solves the problem. My concern was that I seemed to be getting more consistent missed shifts. I was wondering if there was an adjustment or different viscosity transmission lub that would solve the problem.

[Gonzo49i]

I've found that holding the shift lever up while releasing the clutch solves the problem. My concern was that I seemed to be getting more consistent missed shifts. I was wondering if there was an adjustment or different viscosity transmission lub that would solve the problem.

[Gonzo49i]

I've found that holding the shift lever up while releasing the clutch solves the problem. My concern was that I seemed to be getting more consistent missed shifts. I was wondering if there was an adjustment or different viscosity transmission lub that would solve the problem.

[CycleRob]

Usually an incomplete shift into 2nd is a symptom of bent shift forks. That typically occurs after much abusive shifting or the road crashing on the shift lever. In the case of the `03 and `04 models here it is more likely one or both of these 2 things:
--an overly tight tolerance or roughness between the shift fork and the shaft it slides sideways on.
--a distracted or too light of a foot shift all the way to the 2nd gear stop.

Like riceburner said . . . SHIFT it !!

One thing that may help is to change the tranny fluid to a full synthetic slippery "shockproof" gearbox oil like This one from RedLine. It is for transmissions without a wet clutch like most other M/C trannys and without synchronizers like car transmissions, both of which have a less slippery friction modifier additive because those components would not work as well with a super slippery oil.

[gregor]

Ove a long weekend trip I did not shift positively enough a couple of times. Once between first and second. And once between fifth and sixth. I related this to my Norton Commando mounted BIL and he said he'd no such problems with his four speed gear box.

Interestingly his 850 Interpol used a lot less fuel than my BMW.

[wncbmw]

Yesterday I noticed more success when I got the RPMs up to around 4K. Didnt miss as many shifts, but I'm not sure if this is a good solution or not.

Not sure I understand what you mean by that. Do you usually shift before 4K? Because I usually wind it out to over 5K before shifting. Maybe higher if there are twisty roads to be tamed! The bike likes to be revved.

Like others have said, shift it like you mean it between 1st and 2nd, just firm steady pressure, quick clutch, maybe with a slight throttle blip. Most of the time when I miss, its when I am just in 'cruising' mode and not really paying attention.

[grwrockster]

My 35K Miles '04 Rockster gearbox has got better with time - its slicker now than when i had the bike with 2k miles for sure

I can happily shift from 1st through 5th clutchless or with the clutch with no problems. I find that shifting FAST as well as POSITIVELY equals a reliable change every time. Pre-load the lever etc. yes, but (even when gentlly pootling along and not revving hard) I ALWAYS shift quickly. There are a few threads on here on the topic where people's technique is discussed in greater detail.

It helps to always be accelerating (even if gently) with the throttle open to pre-load the gears just before an upshift. I don't know WHY (guessing maybe the load on the gears then the sudden release of pressure helps them unload better and so shift easier??) but it certainly seems to be true. Even in slow traffic, I'll make a tiny gap to be able to roll a bit of throttle on for a fraction of a second to help an upchange - constant motion and slow changes always seems to equal clunky shifting so I naturally avoid that.

My bike doesn't like 5th - 6th particularly though and it never has. I never clutchless into 6th or I risk it dropping out of gear, and have a habit now when I change into 6th of 'double-checking' by lifting the lever again once I'm in top gear. If I use the my normal technique and the clutch between 5th & 6th, then I don't get any trouble at all.

[gregor]

I'm always embarrassed when I get stuck in traffic and need to get down to neutral. Even worse when I was in a petrol (gas) station and I'd to start the engine and shuffle to and fro to get that darned neutral. My BIL had filled his Commando tank by the time I'd started.