Gear shift problem

sachinzeus · September 14th, 2011, 11:51 AM

Im not sure if im just shifting gears wrong or there is a problem with the gear shifter.

I have a 2011 fuel injected ninjette. Sometimes when i shift gears, mostly while downshifting, I get a dead shift (the gear gets stuck and refuses to "click" into place). To recover, I get my foot off the gear shift and release the clutch slowly. I then hear a "click" after which the gear works fine.

Sometimes, i have also seen a ghost shift to neutral when im on 2nd gear ( i guess i have not shifted properly from 1st to 2nd?).

Would appreciate your help. I am 6 months into riding a motorcycle so forgive me for nooby errors

dubojr1 · September 14th, 2011, 12:06 PM

It sounds like you may be shifting down too late. You should match the gear with your speed as your slowing. Someone once told me that you should be prepared to take off at any time so keep your gear properly selected for this.

sachinzeus · September 14th, 2011, 12:09 PM

Even if i was shifting late or early it should only result in either the rpm reaching stall values (in case of late shift) or the rpm jumping upwards (in case of early shift) right? why should the shifter get stuck?

Am i missing some tech stuff here?

dubojr1 · September 14th, 2011, 12:19 PM

Oh I may have misunderstood. The shifter should never be "stuck." It can however require letting out on the clutch sometimes for the gear to sync.

sachinzeus · September 14th, 2011, 12:30 PM

i guess i did not explain my post clearly. Sorry about that.

So this is what happens:

Gear is in 3rd - I slow down - Pull in the clutch - Try to shift down - Gear shifter moves but has only a play, no gear shift to 2nd (i judge this by the lack of the click of the downshift not being heard/felt)

is this normal?

dubojr1 · September 14th, 2011, 12:39 PM

That would only be normal if you were almost stopped and trying to shift down from 3rd. In that case the shifter would not freely move down and shift into second without easing off the clutch to sync it in. Ideally you would have shifted down threw those gears as you slowed down and the transmissions would remain synced with the engine rpm's.

I hope this makes since.

greg737 · September 14th, 2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

I have a 2011 fuel injected ninjette.

Your profile shows that you live in Minneapolis, how did you happen to get your hands on a European or Thailand bike? (AFAIK they're the only fuel injected EX-250s)

dubojr1 · September 14th, 2011, 12:43 PM

I don't think he has an FI but the shifting issue would be the same either way.

sachinzeus · September 14th, 2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubojr1

That would only be normal if you were almost stopped and trying to shift down from 3rd. In that case the shifter would not freely move down and shift into second without easing off the clutch to sync it in. Ideally you would have shifted down threw those gears as you slowed down and the transmissions would remain synced with the engine rpm's.

I hope this makes since.

Bang on! Totally makes sense now! I now do remember that happening only when i stopped at a traffic signal. Will remember to keep shifting down as I slow down rather than pull in the clutch-brake to stop-then down shift.

Thanks a lot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg737

Your profile shows that you live in Minneapolis, how did you happen to get your hands on a European or Thailand bike? (AFAIK they're the only fuel injected EX-250s)

You are correct. I have my ninjette back in India where Kawasaki sells the European version.

dubojr1 · September 14th, 2011, 12:46 PM

Happy to help

greg737 · September 14th, 2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

You are correct. I have my ninjette back in India where Kawasaki sells the European version.

Minneapolis to India. That's one hell of a commute.

sachinzeus · September 14th, 2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg737

Minneapolis to India. That's one hell of a commute.

Ah well. True.. but the heart lies where the ninjette is!

I could not get myself to sell her when I came over here. So, I just make more trips to India.

csmith12 · September 14th, 2011, 01:07 PM

As with all bikes, shift with authority. And for added safety, when in doubt up shift! False neutrals are common on alot of bikes including the ninjette. So shift like you mean it and shift completely.

Looks like everyone else handled your specific issue, but wanted you to be safe.

sachinzeus · September 14th, 2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

As with all bikes, shift with authority. And for added safety, when in doubt up shift! False neutrals are common on alot of bikes including the ninjette. So shift like you mean it and shift completely.

Looks like everyone else handled your specific issue, but wanted you to be safe.

Yup they did! Thank you for your suggestion though. Will shift with authority!

September 14th, 2011, 11:51 AM	#1
sachinzeus ninjette.org member Name: sachin Location: Minneapolis Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 19	Gear shift problem Im not sure if im just shifting gears wrong or there is a problem with the gear shifter. I have a 2011 fuel injected ninjette. Sometimes when i shift gears, mostly while downshifting, I get a dead shift (the gear gets stuck and refuses to "click" into place). To recover, I get my foot off the gear shift and release the clutch slowly. I then hear a "click" after which the gear works fine. Sometimes, i have also seen a ghost shift to neutral when im on 2nd gear ( i guess i have not shifted properly from 1st to 2nd?). Would appreciate your help. I am 6 months into riding a motorcycle so forgive me for nooby errors

September 14th, 2011, 12:06 PM	#2
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	It sounds like you may be shifting down too late. You should match the gear with your speed as your slowing. Someone once told me that you should be prepared to take off at any time so keep your gear properly selected for this. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

September 14th, 2011, 12:19 PM	#4
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Oh I may have misunderstood. The shifter should never be "stuck." It can however require letting out on the clutch sometimes for the gear to sync. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

September 14th, 2011, 12:39 PM	#6
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	That would only be normal if you were almost stopped and trying to shift down from 3rd. In that case the shifter would not freely move down and shift into second without easing off the clutch to sync it in. Ideally you would have shifted down threw those gears as you slowed down and the transmissions would remain synced with the engine rpm's. I hope this makes since. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

September 14th, 2011, 12:43 PM	#8
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	I don't think he has an FI but the shifting issue would be the same either way. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

September 14th, 2011, 12:09 PM	#3
sachinzeus ninjette.org member Name: sachin Location: Minneapolis Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 19	Even if i was shifting late or early it should only result in either the rpm reaching stall values (in case of late shift) or the rpm jumping upwards (in case of early shift) right? why should the shifter get stuck? Am i missing some tech stuff here?

September 14th, 2011, 12:30 PM	#5
sachinzeus ninjette.org member Name: sachin Location: Minneapolis Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 19	i guess i did not explain my post clearly. Sorry about that. So this is what happens: Gear is in 3rd - I slow down - Pull in the clutch - Try to shift down - Gear shifter moves but has only a play, no gear shift to 2nd (i judge this by the lack of the click of the downshift not being heard/felt) is this normal?

September 14th, 2011, 12:46 PM	#10
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Happy to help __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

September 14th, 2011, 01:07 PM	#13
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	As with all bikes, shift with authority. And for added safety, when in doubt up shift! False neutrals are common on alot of bikes including the ninjette. So shift like you mean it and shift completely. Looks like everyone else handled your specific issue, but wanted you to be safe. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

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