08 Tranny

[gregory]

Greetings all,

Having put all of 600 miles on my 08, I am a bit concerned about the tranny. I have found that I can shift into 1st with very little "preload" on the shifter and no clutch use whatsoever (this is an unintenional action on my part) while slowing to a stop and preparing to shift into first. Also, the shifting just plain seems "hard" most of the time, especially downshifting. I am not shifting at excessive RPM either up or down. Finding neutral can be an excersise in futility sometimes. I keep leaping into 1st or 2nd depending which way I am trying to shift into neutral from, even when trying to do it very slowly so I don't miss neutral.. I have also found that I can fool the gear indicator to show no gear, and the neutral light to light up, and still be in first gear. I am wondering if others are experiencing these problems and if they go away with a few more miles? I did my first oil change at 303 miles and plan the next a 1k. Stayed with Dino for now, but will go to full synth after a few more miles on the clock.

Thanks everybody,

Greg

 

[FJRay]

Be patient, Its the difference between rape and seduction. As you rack up the miles and get more comfortable with your ride the shifting will become second nature.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Gregory,

Be patient... this tough tranny takes about 6-8k miles to break (so I've read on similar post).

Enjoy your new ride! (ignore Neutral for awhile)

 

[gregory]

Thanks

I should also add that it is NOT all the time that this is happing, so I kind of figured it was gonna be a time thing. Plus the heavy winter gloves and the fact that my old C-10 had lots of "give" before the clutch engaged might have something to do with it as well.

Gregory.

 

[madmike2]

Also, when running through the gears, don't "pussyfoot" the shift and don't short-shift. Mine really likes to be shifted above 3,000 rpm. It will be really "notchy" if you try to upshift @ 2000-2500 rpms.

 

[MrTwisty]

Gregory,

I did not experience any of that with my '07 when it was new. Neutral was fairly easy to find going up or down.

However, the tranny has gotten slightly smoother in the 8500 miles I've put on it so far. Or perhaps I'm just getting more used to the bike.

 

[wfooshee]

I can only find neutral from second about 1 in 3 times on my '03, almost 48,000 miles. Neutral from first is almost always easy, but once in a while something weird happens and I get stuck in second, can't drop to first OR neutral. I'll go ahead and stop, then ride a little friction on the clutch, to ease the bike forward a few inches, and suddenly it's fine.

Don't preload the shifter. If you think about what's going on in the gearbox, you'll see that preloading stresses the shift forks. That's where the resistance comes from when the shifter won't move. You'll shorten their life significantly by either wearing the fork down, or worse, bending it.

As for neutral light being on while still in gear, I have no answer, except maybe an incomplete catch on the star cam.

And a repeat of the suggestion to shift firmly, with enough RPM. Don't be gentle, move the lever firmly with the absolute knowledge that it will obey you.

My biggest shifting problem was after I sprained my left ankle, I would get incomplete motion on the lever, and had some evry uncomfortable results. Firm action!

 

[dcarver]

I never had the level of issues you are having on my 06, even when new. Makes me wonder if the clutch is fully disengaging? Oh, and gunny on shifting over 3k. Actually, I now keep the r's over K all the time.. otherwise this engine is lugging and you'll have other issues like carbon deposits under valve seats etc...

 

[05fjrBluedevil]

Thanks
I should also add that it is NOT all the time that this is happing, so I kind of figured it was gonna be a time thing. Plus the heavy winter gloves and the fact that my old C-10 had lots of "give" before the clutch engaged might have something to do with it as well.

Gregory.

Just some suggestions maybe they have already been made, However i did have simular things happen and wound up, having the trans re built.....

had I not had the yes warranty, it would have been quite expensive or I would of had to tackle it myelf, just to save some bucks...

Well first I would suggest that you try to adjust the shifter to match your boots/shoes so that you are not makng the un meant shifts just because of it not being fitted for your foot/boot....

Second i would take it to the dealer where you purchased it and let them know that you are having an issue so that it is documented, third I would purchase the yes warranty....

Mike

 

[KnuckleHead]

Look like I get to be the first 08 guy to chime it...

I have not experienced any of that on mine. It shifts smooth and I have no problems finding N. As Mad Mike says, mine does shift better above 3k, but does fine at lower RPM.

If it was me, I would take her to the dealer and say "WTF?"

 

[cctxfjr]

Look like I get to be the first 08 guy to chime it...
I have not experienced any of that on mine. It shifts smooth and I have no problems finding N. As Mad Mike says, mine does shift better above 3k, but does fine at lower RPM.

If it was me, I would take her to the dealer and say "WTF?"

knuckleHead-yea sounds like he has a problem-does your bike clunk between gears-can you move freely/smoothly between gears,would you say it shift smooth or rough-Thanks

 

[MojaveFJR]

Would take it and gipe about it. have almost 400 on mine and its shifts real smooth. Of course this compared to a R-1 and WR 450.

 

[KnuckleHead]

Look like I get to be the first 08 guy to chime it...
I have not experienced any of that on mine. It shifts smooth and I have no problems finding N. As Mad Mike says, mine does shift better above 3k, but does fine at lower RPM.

If it was me, I would take her to the dealer and say "WTF?"

knuckleHead-yea sounds like he has a problem-does your bike clunk between gears-can you move freely/smoothly between gears,would you say it shift smooth or rough-Thanks

Yeah, mine is real smooth. It likes to shift around 5k and at that RPM is just clicks right in. It does clunk a bit into first at low RPM, but thats about it.

 

[cctxfjr]

Look like I get to be the first 08 guy to chime it...
I have not experienced any of that on mine. It shifts smooth and I have no problems finding N. As Mad Mike says, mine does shift better above 3k, but does fine at lower RPM.

If it was me, I would take her to the dealer and say "WTF?"

knuckleHead-yea sounds like he has a problem-does your bike clunk between gears-can you move freely/smoothly between gears,would you say it shift smooth or rough-Thanks

Yeah, mine is real smooth. It likes to shift around 5k and at that RPM is just clicks right in. It does clunk a bit into first at low RPM, but thats about it.

Thanks for the report--looking like an 08 for me

 

[KnuckleHead]

Yeah, mine is real smooth. It likes to shift around 5k and at that RPM is just clicks right in. It does clunk a bit into first at low RPM, but thats about it.

Thanks for the report--looking like an 08 for me

No problem. For what it's worth, I havent regretted the purchase for a second.

 

[7mary3]

Look like I get to be the first 08 guy to chime it...
I have not experienced any of that on mine. It shifts smooth and I have no problems finding N. As Mad Mike says, mine does shift better above 3k, but does fine at lower RPM.

If it was me, I would take her to the dealer and say "WTF?"

I agree, My 08 shifts very smooth and I have had no problems finding neutral.

 

[gregory]

Thanks everybody,

I do have the YES, so no worries there. It is kind o noisy when I shift and the first drop into first gear in the morning is a pretty hard chunk. I am thinking perhaps clutch? I think I will try to work the clutch a few times before I shift into first after she sits for a while. I have o seperation from the bar when I disengage the clutch and the bike starts to move forward. The dealer is in another town (90 or so miles away), so a quick trip is not an easy thing. I love this bike and the tranny is starting to get annoying, so I will probably take her in.

Greg

 

[War Machine]

Thanks everybody,
I do have the YES, so no worries there. It is kind o noisy when I shift and the first drop into first gear in the morning is a pretty hard chunk. I am thinking perhaps clutch? I think I will try to work the clutch a few times before I shift into first after she sits for a while. I have o seperation from the bar when I disengage the clutch and the bike starts to move forward. The dealer is in another town (90 or so miles away), so a quick trip is not an easy thing. I love this bike and the tranny is starting to get annoying, so I will probably take her in.

Greg

You state that you have 600 miles on the 08 but fail to state if the bike has been in for it's 600 mile service. This is a critical maintenance service where many aspects of the bike are checked (if serviced properly). This tranny problem should be pointed out to the service manager upon bringing your bike in. Make sure they are also doing a throttle sync & changing the gear oil in the final drive (driveshaft).

My 08 only has 120 miles on it due to subfreezing temps here in New York, but I have no shifting or neutral searching problems & neither should yours. Most likely it is a simple adjustment of the clutch. Keep us posted about your results after the 600 mile service.

 

[MojaveFJR]

Thanks everybody,
I do have the YES, so no worries there. It is kind o noisy when I shift and the first drop into first gear in the morning is a pretty hard chunk. I am thinking perhaps clutch? I think I will try to work the clutch a few times before I shift into first after she sits for a while. I have o seperation from the bar when I disengage the clutch and the bike starts to move forward. The dealer is in another town (90 or so miles away), so a quick trip is not an easy thing. I love this bike and the tranny is starting to get annoying, so I will probably take her in.

Greg

After reading this I noticed the "clunk"this morning and this afternoon. Once the bike was warmed up, no such clunk. If memory serves the crankcase oil serves as the clutch lubricant. Maybe, just maybe it needs to warm up a bit more. I noticed that both times it did this the RPM's were still up, auto choke on. Next time I will let it warm up more and report the results. As for your other issues, would definitely take it back and have it looked at while still under warranty.