Hard time going to N

Jasonm163 · August 6th, 2015, 07:28 PM

So I was riding around my parking lot and I suddenly had a hard time getting the bike into neutral. So I turned it off and back on and finally got into neutral. So I went to park it in my parking spot and whenever I went to neutral again it wouldn't go, just stayed in first once again and I couldn't get it to go. Parked the bike and spent ten minutes trying to get it into neutral.

Never really had a problem before. The bike was dropped once at 0 mph but on the right side and only on the peg and handle bar (caught the bike for the most part)

Just wondering what's going on since I'm pretty new and want to get this fixed. Not too confident when coming to a stop and balancing yet so I prefer to be in neutral so I don't have to worry about a stall (how I dropped the bike the first time)

Sirref · August 6th, 2015, 07:33 PM

you can balance with your hand on the clutch so you don't really need neutral...pretty much ever

that's odd though, these bikes are usually pretty good about finding neutral. Could be a clutch or transmission issue but I'm not sure. You could also be using too much force on the shifter

Alex · August 6th, 2015, 10:51 PM

Something isn't making sense. What gear are you in when you can't get into neutral? These bikes have a neutral-finder feature making it impossible to go into any gear other than neutral when you shift up from first, unless the bike is moving a certain speed already.

Jasonm163 · August 7th, 2015, 03:25 AM

Just cruising in first gear, I'll pull in the clutch and go up a half click to try and get into neutral and it's like it won't engage sometimes. It feels like it went into neutral but the light on the gauge won't come on and if I proceed to let the clutch out a little it will still move forward. Get what I mean?

ForceofWill · August 7th, 2015, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonm163

Just cruising in first gear, I'll pull in the clutch and go up a half click to try and get into neutral and it's like it won't engage sometimes. It feels like it went into neutral but the light on the gauge won't come on and if I proceed to let the clutch out a little it will still move forward. Get what I mean?

If you shift down to first and stop then pull up on the lever, will it go to neutral? Can you shift through all the other gears?

Like Sirref already said, you should just be holding the clutch in first for stops anyway unless it's going to be a long time really.

Why are you trying to find neutral while you're moving?

Jasonm163 · August 7th, 2015, 03:52 AM

I was only trying to go from neutral to first a few times while riding around my parking lot to practice moving the lever since I'm very new to bikes. I signed up for the msf class but its not till mid september so I've been having a hard time just staring at my bike till then. I know in normal situations you dont ride around and go to neutr while cruising. But my very small parking lot is just about too small to even get into second is why I was using neutral

ForceofWill · August 7th, 2015, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonm163

I was only trying to go from neutral to first a few times while riding around my parking lot to practice moving the lever since I'm very new to bikes. I signed up for the msf class but its not till mid september so I've been having a hard time just staring at my bike till then. I know in normal situations you dont ride around and go to neutr while cruising. But my very small parking lot is just about too small to even get into second is why I was using neutral

The lot isn't too small. The bike will start in third and you can go into second gear about 10 miliseconds after you get moving in first.

Jasonm163 · August 7th, 2015, 04:44 AM

Ah okay I will go ahead and try that soon. I guess I was thinking since you can go 30 nearly in first that getting into second or third going 10 wouldn't be a good idea but ill go ahead.

rgx107 · August 7th, 2015, 06:00 AM

If it helps, I have the same experience, it's difficult to find neutral unless the bike is standing still. But as has been said, you will always be in gear when moving anyway. Try to end up in first or second when stopping, because it's difficult to change several gears (i.e. from third to first) when standing still. So what you describe sounds perfectly normal.

subxero · August 7th, 2015, 06:10 AM

for the most part you shouldn't be shifting into neutral unless you are stopped, there is no good reason to hit neutral while moving so quit practicing that.

Get into first just before you come to a complete stop, then after stopped up shift into neutral, sometimes rocking the bike back and forth with the clutch in while trying to find neutral or any gear for that matter helps it click in.

Get in habit of starting the bike when it is in neutral as it is less stress on the engine.

DEFY · August 7th, 2015, 06:46 AM

Only time I use neutral is when letting the bike warm up. Occasionally I will find myself in it accidentally but that's cause I try not to be too hard on my shifter, I have had the shifter on a four wheeler fall off while riding.

MSF actually tells you to always keep it in gear when stopped, just in case you have to make a quick get away.

csmith12 · August 7th, 2015, 06:53 AM

While learning to ride, at a location like an empty parking lot, feel free to put it in N whenever it makes sense. Shifting gears (including getting into N) is a vital skill. Which leads to what I think your issue is.

Are you sure you're in first? The bike is easier to stall if you try to start from a stop in the higher gears. So click that lever down multiple times until you don't feel any more clicks. That is first, then try to go up one.

Having you taken the MSF BRC? I would recommend it if you can.

Good luck out there.

jkv45 · August 7th, 2015, 07:22 AM

As noted, there's really no need to try to get into neutral when you are rolling - the transmission is designed so that doesn't happen.

When you are stopped, the Ninja's transmission is designed to go directly into neutral when you click up from first.

Hero Danny · August 7th, 2015, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonm163

Just cruising in first gear, I'll pull in the clutch and go up a half click to try and get into neutral and it's like it won't engage sometimes.

I didn't read the whole post, so i'm sorry if it's already been mentioned..

But going into neutral while moving is kinda silly. Down shift all the way to first and just hold in the clutch and coast to your stop if you have to. Then at the stop (when you are no longer moving), click up and you'll be in neutral.

It sounds like you need to work on how to handle a clutch... have you ever taken the MSF course?

Hero Danny · August 7th, 2015, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subxero

for the most part you shouldn't be shifting into neutral unless you are stopped, there is no good reason to hit neutral while moving so quit practicing that.

Get into first just before you come to a complete stop, then after stopped up shift into neutral, sometimes rocking the bike back and forth with the clutch in while trying to find neutral or any gear for that matter helps it click in.

Get in habit of starting the bike when it is in neutral as it is less stress on the engine.

THIS ^

Jasonm163 · August 7th, 2015, 07:48 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I will stop putting it in neutral until I come to a complete stop as all of you have mentioned. As for the MSF class, have not taken it (I am registered but it is not until september the 12th and 13th so I am just waiting now. I guess the reason I had been doing the put in Neutral when coming to a stop is that is what i do in my evo.

Example im in my car and im in 4th I just shift into neutral and apply the brakes that way everything is already done by the time I get to the light and dont have to mess with keeping my clutch in (clutch on my car is super stiff). I guess that is a habit that I need to get out of or not practice on the motorcycle like all of you have suggested.

csmith12 · August 7th, 2015, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasonm163

I guess the reason I had been doing the put in Neutral when coming to a stop is that is what i do in my evo.

And you will most likely do the same during the MSF. Holding the clutch all day in between the range drills will suck arse.

Once you get out on the public streets and in busy parking lots, N is not your friend. That is what the others are saying. Your MSF RiderCoach should cover this during the class.

As far as your shifting goes, it's not like a car. It's sequential, it's not designed to go from 4th to N. To try to make that happen will cause more problems than it solves and takes way too much time and attention.

Rifleman · August 7th, 2015, 11:39 AM

check your clutch cable.

the lock nut will vibrate and go lose... and then the barrel part will walk in a bit as you operate the clutch. And/or clutch cable stretches a bit.

both then result in the clutch not being fully disengaged when you pull the lever in. It's enough to let the bike stop and engine keep running, but puts just enough tension on the drive train to make shifting into N near on impossible... but easy to do when the engine is off.

a dragging clutch will heat and warp the plates and can burn and glaze the friction rings

so give that clutch cable adjustment a look see, even go ahead and give that adjuster a half a turn out just for good measure and see if that makes finding neutral less of a hunt.

dcj13 · August 7th, 2015, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rifleman

check your clutch cable.

Good suggestion!

August 6th, 2015, 07:28 PM	#1
Jasonm163 ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: Tyler Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: 56	Hard time going to N So I was riding around my parking lot and I suddenly had a hard time getting the bike into neutral. So I turned it off and back on and finally got into neutral. So I went to park it in my parking spot and whenever I went to neutral again it wouldn't go, just stayed in first once again and I couldn't get it to go. Parked the bike and spent ten minutes trying to get it into neutral. Never really had a problem before. The bike was dropped once at 0 mph but on the right side and only on the peg and handle bar (caught the bike for the most part) Just wondering what's going on since I'm pretty new and want to get this fixed. Not too confident when coming to a stop and balancing yet so I prefer to be in neutral so I don't have to worry about a stall (how I dropped the bike the first time)

August 6th, 2015, 07:33 PM	#2
Sirref Private Joker Name: Ben Location: Towson, MD Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '99/'01 Ninja 250 "sketchy", '13 Ninja 300 "yoshi", '03 GSXR 600 "merlin" Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '14	you can balance with your hand on the clutch so you don't really need neutral...pretty much ever that's odd though, these bikes are usually pretty good about finding neutral. Could be a clutch or transmission issue but I'm not sure. You could also be using too much force on the shifter __________________________________________________ I see you over there seeing me, do you see the me I think you see?

August 6th, 2015, 10:51 PM	#3
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Something isn't making sense. What gear are you in when you can't get into neutral? These bikes have a neutral-finder feature making it impossible to go into any gear other than neutral when you shift up from first, unless the bike is moving a certain speed already. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

August 7th, 2015, 06:00 AM	#9
rgx107 ninjette.org member Name: Rolf Location: Sweden Join Date: Jul 2014 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 70	If it helps, I have the same experience, it's difficult to find neutral unless the bike is standing still. But as has been said, you will always be in gear when moving anyway. Try to end up in first or second when stopping, because it's difficult to change several gears (i.e. from third to first) when standing still. So what you describe sounds perfectly normal.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 7th, 2015, 06:10 AM	#10
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	for the most part you shouldn't be shifting into neutral unless you are stopped, there is no good reason to hit neutral while moving so quit practicing that. Get into first just before you come to a complete stop, then after stopped up shift into neutral, sometimes rocking the bike back and forth with the clutch in while trying to find neutral or any gear for that matter helps it click in. Get in habit of starting the bike when it is in neutral as it is less stress on the engine. __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 7th, 2015, 03:25 AM	#4
Jasonm163 ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: Tyler Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: 56	Just cruising in first gear, I'll pull in the clutch and go up a half click to try and get into neutral and it's like it won't engage sometimes. It feels like it went into neutral but the light on the gauge won't come on and if I proceed to let the clutch out a little it will still move forward. Get what I mean?

August 7th, 2015, 03:52 AM	#6
Jasonm163 ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: Tyler Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: 56	I was only trying to go from neutral to first a few times while riding around my parking lot to practice moving the lever since I'm very new to bikes. I signed up for the msf class but its not till mid september so I've been having a hard time just staring at my bike till then. I know in normal situations you dont ride around and go to neutr while cruising. But my very small parking lot is just about too small to even get into second is why I was using neutral

August 7th, 2015, 04:44 AM	#8
Jasonm163 ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: Tyler Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: 56	Ah okay I will go ahead and try that soon. I guess I was thinking since you can go 30 nearly in first that getting into second or third going 10 wouldn't be a good idea but ill go ahead.

August 7th, 2015, 06:46 AM	#11
DEFY ᗧ•••ᗣ•ᗣᗣ•••ᗣ Name: Nick Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R and 2014 Triumph 675R Posts: A lot.	Only time I use neutral is when letting the bike warm up. Occasionally I will find myself in it accidentally but that's cause I try not to be too hard on my shifter, I have had the shifter on a four wheeler fall off while riding. MSF actually tells you to always keep it in gear when stopped, just in case you have to make a quick get away. __________________________________________________ Spoiler for topic: It might just be the [you] tag

August 7th, 2015, 06:53 AM	#12
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	While learning to ride, at a location like an empty parking lot, feel free to put it in N whenever it makes sense. Shifting gears (including getting into N) is a vital skill. Which leads to what I think your issue is. Are you sure you're in first? The bike is easier to stall if you try to start from a stop in the higher gears. So click that lever down multiple times until you don't feel any more clicks. That is first, then try to go up one. Having you taken the MSF BRC? I would recommend it if you can. Good luck out there. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

August 7th, 2015, 07:22 AM	#13
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	As noted, there's really no need to try to get into neutral when you are rolling - the transmission is designed so that doesn't happen. When you are stopped, the Ninja's transmission is designed to go directly into neutral when you click up from first.

August 7th, 2015, 07:48 AM	#16
Jasonm163 ninjette.org member Name: Jason Location: Tyler Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: 56	Thanks for all the replies guys. I will stop putting it in neutral until I come to a complete stop as all of you have mentioned. As for the MSF class, have not taken it (I am registered but it is not until september the 12th and 13th so I am just waiting now. I guess the reason I had been doing the put in Neutral when coming to a stop is that is what i do in my evo. Example im in my car and im in 4th I just shift into neutral and apply the brakes that way everything is already done by the time I get to the light and dont have to mess with keeping my clutch in (clutch on my car is super stiff). I guess that is a habit that I need to get out of or not practice on the motorcycle like all of you have suggested.

August 7th, 2015, 11:39 AM	#18
Rifleman Old and slow Name: Lohman Location: Aiken, S.C. Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Suzuki TL1000R, Honda CBR600F3, Ninja 250 Posts: 889	check your clutch cable. the lock nut will vibrate and go lose... and then the barrel part will walk in a bit as you operate the clutch. And/or clutch cable stretches a bit. both then result in the clutch not being fully disengaged when you pull the lever in. It's enough to let the bike stop and engine keep running, but puts just enough tension on the drive train to make shifting into N near on impossible... but easy to do when the engine is off. a dragging clutch will heat and warp the plates and can burn and glaze the friction rings so give that clutch cable adjustment a look see, even go ahead and give that adjuster a half a turn out just for good measure and see if that makes finding neutral less of a hunt. __________________________________________________
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hard time seeing in the rain	agentbad	General Motorcycling Discussion	8	November 18th, 2013 08:13 PM
Sometimes its hard pleasing two ladies at the same time...	Jiggles	General Motorcycling Discussion	3	October 13th, 2012 06:51 PM
Bike had a hard time starting	cuong-nutz	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	4	October 14th, 2011 05:10 PM
[crash.net - MotoGP] - Pedrosa having a hard time at Valencia	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	November 5th, 2010 10:50 AM
hard time removing the sprocket cover	remme	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	1	July 28th, 2010 07:12 PM