Ker-LUNK!

[KevinsFJRPartDeux]

Today, Kevin and I began our search for a new bike. Suprisingly, he decided that since we had this "do over" maybe we should look at other sport touring bikes? We have time, we have more information now than the first time, and we have more opinion! We loved our FJR, but still and all, we'll call this "due diligence".

So, we rode a 2009 Kawasaki Concourse, a 2008 Honda 1300ST, and a 2009 FJR. I have opinions aplenty about all three, but the one negative about the FJR in comparison to the other two deserves a conversation...

Why that awful kerLUNKing shifting noise? Why is it so noisy, clumsy, just... un-smooth?

I dont think he's doing anything wrong, since on none of the motorcycles on which I've ridden behind Kevin have I heard this? I guess I was just so enamored with the FJR from the start that I didnt notice? didnt care?

Due diligence being what it is, I feel compelled to ask...

Mary

 

[SnowAviation]

It's the trans -klunk- mission. On some of the larger Sport bikes and Sport tourer's the shifting is so quiet that

you may not realize that you have shifted. Yamaha has solved this problem by adding a loud "Klunk" sound so

you can be absolutely certain that you have shifted.

Newer models also have a digital readout of the current gear selection on the instrument panel, but's it's really

not needed.

 

[bikerskier]

I was told once by a large multi brand mechanic that the reason for this is that Yamaha has square cut gears and Honda and Kaw have beveled edge gears. I am no mechanic so I have no idea. Has anyone else knowledge of this?

Although shifting the FJR at the right time with some decent rpm, there is never any clunk. I think it only occurs at slow lazy speeds with snoozy shifts.

 

[ice_station_zebra]

I was told once by a large multi brand mechanic that the reason for this is that Yamaha has square cut gears and Honda and Kaw have beveled edge gears. I am no mechanic so I have no idea. Has anyone else knowledge of this?
Although shifting the FJR at the right time with some decent rpm, there is never any clunk. I think it only occurs at slow lazy speeds with snoozy shifts.

I find that if I preload the shifter the klunking goes away...the FJR has stacked gears?...maybe the shifting mechanism that's required for this is the cause of the klunk vs what you get on other bikes...dunno, but preloading the shifter seems to work for me and as well I get smoother/faster shifts.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

As others said, with miles the rider gets smoother.

The tranny gets quieter over time, but lazy shifts will remind you to wake up.

Besides, if you're riding it right you don't need to shift that often.

YMMV

Every bike I know of has it's "character quirks". At least the FJR has a final drive that doesn't explode.

 

[midlifeuturn]

I noticed a very "klunky" transmission when the bike was new. Now that I have a few K on it it is very smooth. Not only did it klunk when it was new there was a couple of instances when it didn't shift at all and I had to come to almost a complete stop to get it to shift up or down. This problem went away during my first trip and has gotten smoother every day. Like the others said, it could be both rider and bike, but i have riden most of my life and never had as klunky a shifting issues as I started with this bike (2009 FJR).

 

[UHOH]

Why that awful kerLUNKing shifting noise? Why is it so noisy, clumsy, just... un-smooth? I dont think he's doing anything wrong...

Mary

Mary, just whisper this sweet nothing in his ear, "Wait to shift till 4000, honey."

Bingo, klunk will go away.

 

[HotRodZilla]

With properly interveled oil changes and well ridden miles, my bike lost the very little bit of clunking it had many miles ago. The tranny just had to break in. Mine does not even clunk when I go from neutral to first. It is very smooth unless I screw it up.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I find with mine, if I hold in the clutch in for several seconds (5-7) before shifting into first, its not nearly as bad. I gather doing that allows the transmission shafts to slow down some....

Scott

 

[rfulcher]

Mine shifted with a "klunk" until I had new clutch plates installed. The original ones had the sticking problem. With the sticking clutch plates a good shift decreased the noise but the shift had to be technically perfect. With new plates, 20,000 miles ago, and good technique I seldom have the klunk

 

[KevinsFJRPartDeux]

Thanks for the info! I've forwarded all your replies to Kevin. Some he made faces at :derisive: :glare:

I'll let you know which if any do the trick for him.

Mary