Shift Problems

jdkvice · June 4th, 2009, 05:45 PM

2009 250, 3k miles. I sort of noticed from the time I bought the bike until now some shifting issues. I've read about the "false neutral" between 5th and 6th, I dont seem to get that. My problem always lies when I'm at a stop, and downshifting with the clutch in. Many times my shifter just feels like jellow and wont actually "click" down. I have to release the clutch just barely engaging it, pull the clutch back in then it clicks down fine. On rare occassions I have to do the process for every gear, say sitting at the light downshifting from 3rd to 1st. More recently, If I pull the clutch in, click up into neutral, and try to click to first its either jellow, or will engage far enough for the N light to go out, but Im actually in no gear when I try to move. Sometimes it will make it into 1st, but after about 6 feet it slips to neutral. So basically if I click to N, I have to release the clutch, pull it in, then it cleanly goes down to first. The bike is still under warranty, just didn't know if there were some adjustments I should look at myself, possibly something silly. On a side note, I've been doing the oil changes / lubes myself, does that void the warranty?
Thanks,
Justin

c_anglada · June 4th, 2009, 06:49 PM

when down shifting i always engage the clutch and let the bike roll for a bit before i down shift again. try doing that for every gear before you come to a complete stop and that should help. you should be in first gear when stopped

bob706 · June 4th, 2009, 06:50 PM

Are you using synthetic or conventional oil? I found with regular dino juice shifting was sometimes a pain.

kkim · June 4th, 2009, 07:51 PM

check your clutch cable adjustment.

jdkvice · June 4th, 2009, 08:16 PM

Im using conventional oil, and I do try to engine break whenever possible. Every once in awhile your just stuck in a higher gear and must stop.
I will check out the clutch cable in the morning Kim. Although, shouldn't I be able to sit still, click to N, then back to first without releasing the clutch? What would cause it to "miss" first? As I said, if I release the clutch, bring it back in, I can click to first perfectly.

kkim · June 4th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Motorcycle trannys are a bit different from cars. The bike should be moving when shifting gears. if what you are saying is that you can't shift gears while standing still, try rocking the bike forward or back when you are trying to shift when at a stop. I always try to be in the gear I want to be in when I come to a stop.

also, when is the last time you changed your oil?

jfauerba · June 5th, 2009, 04:38 AM

I use to experience this problem a lot. The key to fix this is to shift all the way down to 1st before you come to a complete stop. You can keep the clutch in the whole time while shift down. Otherwise, once you stop, it will get hung up on some gear while trying to go down to 1st. If you come to a stop and you are not in 1st, when it hangs and will not shift down any more, release the clutch so it just starts to grab, (friction zone / rpms drops slightly / hear the gear engage) and then pull the clutch back in and start the going down the gears again until you are in 1st or it hangs again (repeat process).

jdkvice · June 5th, 2009, 06:24 AM

Fresh oil, 300 miles. Thanks for the tips / advice guys. I guess I was just at a misunderstanding. I didn't realize on a bike you need to shift like that. My thinking was you could sit and click through all the gears. Ah, clutch cable was good. More engine breaking coming from now on. Thanks.
Justin

tinng321 · June 5th, 2009, 06:42 AM

I usually have to roll the bike forward a bit to shift into 1st from N.

backinthesaddleagain · June 5th, 2009, 06:44 AM

doing your own maintenance won't void warranty. you should keep your receipt for oil and filter (write mileage down on them as well). Sometimes when stopped the teeth of the gears just line up tooth to tooth, when moving they will click in tooth to gap much better.

tlhamon · June 5th, 2009, 08:54 AM

I experienced the same thing after a long ride. Felt like there was a spring pushing back up from 1st gear. Tried a few things to get it to engage. Like slipping the clutch in 2nd. Not sure if it's just a matter of not meshing or the plates spinning to fast. Like was said, a wet clutch is a different animal than a dry clutch on a car, so the oil may be the culprit. Also, that first gear has got to be giagantic since it is almost useless. I remember having a similar issue with an old tractor that was geared about the same (1 mph in 1st gear was maxing it out).

ScorpionNinja · June 6th, 2009, 05:28 AM

Hi!
Yea sometimes this kinda thing happens to me and Ninja Nate (yes my bike has a name now!)

From what i can tell, downshifting on a motorcycle, your Supposed to be moving as you downshift, pulling in clutch,etc!

My Dad had a 72 or 73 Honda 350, and told me he had the Gears do this sort of thing on him too!

I notice it mostly if your in NEED of a SUDDEN STOP! ie: the Car in front of you, just Jams on the brakes too a Full stop (im 4 secs behind but still) and you dont have time really too downshift Gear by Gear... just Pull Clutch in, use Front/Rear brakes evenly... and Stop.... then your Stuck in a Matrix zone, and cant get her into 1st or any gear!

Yes it seems too work for me best... if i were too walk the bike foward or back (while clutch pulled IN fully) and step down, untill back in 1st.

kkim · June 6th, 2009, 10:27 AM

Dave,

Have you taken the MSF course?

CANTFUNCTION · June 6th, 2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

then your Stuck in a Matrix zone

What is the matrix zone?

Jerry · September 11th, 2009, 05:57 AM

Most bikes I've had are hard to shift while still.

Usually, just a little clutch friction between shifts will help get you from gear to gear.

You don't have to move the bike, just touch the friction zone.

killerkay3 · September 11th, 2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry

Most bikes I've had are hard to shift while still.

Usually, just a little clutch friction between shifts will help get you from gear to gear.

You don't have to move the bike, just touch the friction zone.

yea, like if your in 6th gear and come to a complete stop and try to shift down, it doesnt quite work unless your moving a bit

HKr1 · September 11th, 2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killerkay3

yea, like if your in 6th gear and come to a complete stop and try to shift down, it doesnt quite work unless your moving a bit

Thats a bad spot to be in......

http://www.gadgetjq.com/transmission.htm

killerkay3 · September 11th, 2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HKr1

Thats a bad spot to be in......

http://www.gadgetjq.com/transmission.htm

yep happened to me once when i first started riding

mxnello · September 12th, 2009, 04:20 AM

Synthetic oil helps a ton, but as I have said before the 250R gearbox is not the smoothest. Which is fine as long as it wears well, no woes!

June 4th, 2009, 05:45 PM	#1
jdkvice ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Canton Ohio Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	Shift Problems 2009 250, 3k miles. I sort of noticed from the time I bought the bike until now some shifting issues. I've read about the "false neutral" between 5th and 6th, I dont seem to get that. My problem always lies when I'm at a stop, and downshifting with the clutch in. Many times my shifter just feels like jellow and wont actually "click" down. I have to release the clutch just barely engaging it, pull the clutch back in then it clicks down fine. On rare occassions I have to do the process for every gear, say sitting at the light downshifting from 3rd to 1st. More recently, If I pull the clutch in, click up into neutral, and try to click to first its either jellow, or will engage far enough for the N light to go out, but Im actually in no gear when I try to move. Sometimes it will make it into 1st, but after about 6 feet it slips to neutral. So basically if I click to N, I have to release the clutch, pull it in, then it cleanly goes down to first. The bike is still under warranty, just didn't know if there were some adjustments I should look at myself, possibly something silly. On a side note, I've been doing the oil changes / lubes myself, does that void the warranty? Thanks, Justin

June 5th, 2009, 08:54 AM	#11
tlhamon ninjette.org member Name: Thomas Location: Traverse City, MI Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): None Yet Posts: 183	I experienced the same thing after a long ride. Felt like there was a spring pushing back up from 1st gear. Tried a few things to get it to engage. Like slipping the clutch in 2nd. Not sure if it's just a matter of not meshing or the plates spinning to fast. Like was said, a wet clutch is a different animal than a dry clutch on a car, so the oil may be the culprit. Also, that first gear has got to be giagantic since it is almost useless. I remember having a similar issue with an old tractor that was geared about the same (1 mph in 1st gear was maxing it out). __________________________________________________ It's not worth doing if you aren't completely stressed out about it.

September 12th, 2009, 04:20 AM	#19
mxnello ninjette.org member Name: Nello Location: Central, NJ Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R 'Blue' Posts: 53	Shifting woes Synthetic oil helps a ton, but as I have said before the 250R gearbox is not the smoothest. Which is fine as long as it wears well, no woes!

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June 4th, 2009, 06:49 PM	#2
c_anglada ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: Tobyhanna, PA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r Posts: 51	when down shifting i always engage the clutch and let the bike roll for a bit before i down shift again. try doing that for every gear before you come to a complete stop and that should help. you should be in first gear when stopped

June 4th, 2009, 06:50 PM	#3
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	Are you using synthetic or conventional oil? I found with regular dino juice shifting was sometimes a pain.

June 4th, 2009, 07:51 PM	#4
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	check your clutch cable adjustment.

June 4th, 2009, 08:16 PM	#5
jdkvice ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Canton Ohio Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	Im using conventional oil, and I do try to engine break whenever possible. Every once in awhile your just stuck in a higher gear and must stop. I will check out the clutch cable in the morning Kim. Although, shouldn't I be able to sit still, click to N, then back to first without releasing the clutch? What would cause it to "miss" first? As I said, if I release the clutch, bring it back in, I can click to first perfectly.

June 4th, 2009, 08:28 PM	#6
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Motorcycle trannys are a bit different from cars. The bike should be moving when shifting gears. if what you are saying is that you can't shift gears while standing still, try rocking the bike forward or back when you are trying to shift when at a stop. I always try to be in the gear I want to be in when I come to a stop. also, when is the last time you changed your oil?

June 5th, 2009, 04:38 AM	#7
jfauerba ninjette.org member Name: John Location: Asheville, NC Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Red Ninja 250r Posts: 59	I use to experience this problem a lot. The key to fix this is to shift all the way down to 1st before you come to a complete stop. You can keep the clutch in the whole time while shift down. Otherwise, once you stop, it will get hung up on some gear while trying to go down to 1st. If you come to a stop and you are not in 1st, when it hangs and will not shift down any more, release the clutch so it just starts to grab, (friction zone / rpms drops slightly / hear the gear engage) and then pull the clutch back in and start the going down the gears again until you are in 1st or it hangs again (repeat process).

June 5th, 2009, 06:24 AM	#8
jdkvice ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Canton Ohio Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 12	Fresh oil, 300 miles. Thanks for the tips / advice guys. I guess I was just at a misunderstanding. I didn't realize on a bike you need to shift like that. My thinking was you could sit and click through all the gears. Ah, clutch cable was good. More engine breaking coming from now on. Thanks. Justin

June 5th, 2009, 06:42 AM	#9
tinng321 ninjette.org sage Name: Tin Location: NJ Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 black 250r (sold); '09 black zx6r Posts: 903	I usually have to roll the bike forward a bit to shift into 1st from N.

June 5th, 2009, 06:44 AM	#10
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	doing your own maintenance won't void warranty. you should keep your receipt for oil and filter (write mileage down on them as well). Sometimes when stopped the teeth of the gears just line up tooth to tooth, when moving they will click in tooth to gap much better.

June 6th, 2009, 05:28 AM	#12
ScorpionNinja ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Dave Location: Michigan Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650RTE & 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (SOLD) Posts: A lot.	Hi! Yea sometimes this kinda thing happens to me and Ninja Nate (yes my bike has a name now!) From what i can tell, downshifting on a motorcycle, your Supposed to be moving as you downshift, pulling in clutch,etc! My Dad had a 72 or 73 Honda 350, and told me he had the Gears do this sort of thing on him too! I notice it mostly if your in NEED of a SUDDEN STOP! ie: the Car in front of you, just Jams on the brakes too a Full stop (im 4 secs behind but still) and you dont have time really too downshift Gear by Gear... just Pull Clutch in, use Front/Rear brakes evenly... and Stop.... then your Stuck in a Matrix zone, and cant get her into 1st or any gear! Yes it seems too work for me best... if i were too walk the bike foward or back (while clutch pulled IN fully) and step down, untill back in 1st.

June 6th, 2009, 10:27 AM	#13
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Dave, Have you taken the MSF course?

September 11th, 2009, 05:57 AM	#15
Jerry ninjette.org member Name: Jerry Location: California Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 EX250 Posts: 178	Most bikes I've had are hard to shift while still. Usually, just a little clutch friction between shifts will help get you from gear to gear. You don't have to move the bike, just touch the friction zone.