Can't Get Into Third

[The Velvet Monkey]

Hello, to you all.

Lately, my bike has begun to exhibit a strange idiosyncracy--it will occasionally refuse to go into third gear. More often than not, it does this when the bike is nice and warmed up. For instance, I'll stop to get gas after being on the freeway and it will happen when I'm shifting gears trying to re-enter traffic from the on ramp. It's a real surprise and pain in the butt when it happens.

Has anyone ever experienced this?

[DJ Downunder]

I've not heard of it before...sometimes second can be hard..I've heard sometimes sixth also can be.

It might be worth running it by your dealer and see what they say.

DJ

[R4R&R]

How many miles does it have? When was the last time the trans fluid was changed? Does it only happen when 'warm'?


I agree with DJ - let the dealer have a look, but you'll have to figure out exactly how to re-create the problem for them.

[The Velvet Monkey]

Thanks for your responses.

I've got almost 18k on the clock. I replaced the fluid at 12k, but I'd experienced this problem before then, although it seems to happen more frequently now. I've also never had it happen when the bike's cold.

I'd like to take it to the dealer but as you hinted it happens only sporadically and I don't think I'll necessarily be able to reproduce the effect.

My warranty is up this February, so I guess I should get the problem on the record at least.

[Motorrad]

I've been having the same issue. I find that it tends to happen within the first 5-10 minutes of my ride. It's very intermittent, but when it does happen it takes me a couple of attempts at the shift lever to get it into gear. I'm planning on changing the fluids in mine this weekend, to see if that helps.

[popgazer]

It does happen to me from time to time, but only when I get lazy/soft at pushing or pulling the shift lever. It reminds me I should be assertive and give one strong action when shifting both up and down.