Gear shifting issue

Hello,

I just picked up a brand new 2009 VFR800A Saturday. I Commuted 3 times on it and everything was fine, but I went on a 70km (one way) Hwy trip yesterday and got an issue with gear shifting. I am not sure if it is due to me (poor technique) or if there is an actual problem with the bike.

Going at 100 - 110 kph, I am in 5th gear and decide to go to 6th. Apply the clutch, shift up then release the clutch and accelerate, the engine started reving high like it is in neutral!! I immediately grabbed the clutch back and tried gearing up again when the gearbox started making this horrible noise and shifter vibrating like crazy on my foot.. After manipulating it a little more it got into gear and everything seemed fine.

This happenned 2 times, one time on the way there, and one time on the way back.

Could this be a problem with the gearbox or other mechanical part, or did I just not engage the gear properly and need to improve my shifting

Stephane

 

brand new? give it a bit, the VFR's have the best tranny I've seen in a long time.
try to be more positive when shifting and once you have some miles on it, it should be better.

 

Try like this - foot up (just a little, you should feel the level) - pull the clutch - foot (gear up) - release clutch - foot down.

 

If you're not doing it already, preload the shift lever a bit. It should slip right into gear when you clutch.

 

With 02 on this , give it a bit and after break in go to a good oil and it will be fine.

 

Thanks for the advice guys, tried preloading on
my way back from work today and it works great!! I guess i still have a lot to learn!!

 

Get thee to your dealer ASAP. If your tranny did all that shit, it ain't just bad technique. Don't let the dealer sell you on bad technique either. Matter of fact don't even bring it up.

 

I've had my 5th gen(99) kick out of 6th once and *click* grab a couple times when shifting from obviously not being fully engaged. Usually stems from me being lazy and not giving a deliberate firm shift. I'm guessing the shift assembly for 6th just isnt quite as a good as the other five cogs. Hasn't done it since i've made it a point to be very deliberate with shifting into 6th. Since i usually only use 6th when on the highway i think of it as putting her up into high range and make sure to give a very firm but not rushed shift. Heck my 1975 kawa used to find false neutrals between 3-4 and 4-5 pretty regularly. These transmissions are really good at least through the first five.

 

Blessed are the Motorcycle Gods who have provided auto trannys for the shiftless.

 

I've had people get in my truck and ask my why there are three pedals... i just shake my head

 

HA!!!!!!!!!!!!

To the OP, I've found false neutral between gears before but it dosen't happen very often. Is this your first bike or just your first VFR (I'm not pokin fun, just askin) :welcome: