Transmission feels sloppy

New 08 with about 2900 miles on here all mine. I broke in correctly and trans feels a bit sloppy I have had a couple of false neutrals and one odd 5/6th gap shift were it failed to engage:crazy:. Anybody else have this or is my vin 170 the bad apple? Guess time will tell I did buy the 5 year unlimited mileage warranty I have put about 3k of mileage in a month and it doesn't look like its going to slow down. Only bitch is I'm thinking for safty measures I might have a stealership do the 16k mileage valve adjust just to have them check it out and keep the warranty in tact.

 

Iggy: Lousy shifting is definitely not the norm. How many times have you changed the engine oil?

My experience with my 07 is slightly different. My sense when I first got the bike was that the shifting was notchy; if I didn't give it a positive shift going to first from second I'd end up in the real neutral. Each shift took a positive effort on the shifter. It seemed to gradually get smoother with time/miles. Second oil change at 2,800 miles I went to Amsoil (synthetic) 10W-30. Since then it is dramatically smoother and easier. I don't know if it's the oil or just breaking in.

If you haven't recently; I'd try changing the oil. If that doesn't help then it might be time to get some value out of that warranty.

Good luck!

 

Changed at 608miles. On Shell Rotella T6 now. I have run this stuff in every other bike I have had doesn't seem to give me any crap on any of the other bikes. You think i should change again at 3k the manual calls for 8k intervals...

 

I meant to talk to you about this tonight but I forgot about it. I was gonna try shifting the bike on the centerstand and see how I thought it compared to mine. 8k is definitely way to long to go on an oil change. Stick to every 3. Like we discussed, you can't go wrong with the rotella.

 

Seemed solid today. The 5th gear 6th gear only happened once and hasn't happened again

 

The 5/6 gap or false neutral is common. I've caught it a couple times when I get lazy with my shifting.

 

I only suggest the oil change because the engine is still breaking in. I had the oil I changed at 2800 miles analyzed. It had gone 2200 miles and had fairly high metal content which the lab attributed to the newness/break in process. Normally a good oil will certainly go longer than that.

The other thing I note is that T6 is a 5W-40 oil, not sure if a 5W-30 oil might smooth out the shifting.

 

False neutrals... Learn to not use the clutch when you shift up particularly in the higher gears. Just back off the throttle and snick it to the next gear. It is way easier on the engine than missing a gear and sending the rpm through the stratosphere and way easier on the transmission than ending up with rounded shift dogs.

I learned that technique 30 years ago from a fellow competitor while road racing. I have ridden all my bikes that way since. Most shifts are so fast and smooth that you won't believe it.

The only bike that I have had transmission trouble with was my second VMax. I let an ex-son in law ride it. When he was done it wouldn't stay in second gear and had low compression in one cylinder after he missed a gear, I heard it do it once but bet it was more times than that.

 

Had similar problems with the VFR at the track. Installed the factory pro shift kit (spring and arm) and haven't missed a shift since. Best mod ever

 

Yeah the bike is under warranty so the factory pro is not factory so that is not going to happen. Thinking back I think it was just a lazy shift that the bike didn't like.

 

I think you just have to learn how to shift ROOKIE ------------- hehe

 

Too many rookies around here... The best fix for the stock transmissions occasional iffyness is to make sure not to get lazy with your shifts.

 

Load the shift lever with ur footy before you clutch. This was your ready, I only been riding bikes for 25 years and about hmmm, 200,000 street miles doing this.

Your 5 to 6 gear change problem I had with my gen 3 bike on occasion. You gota shift from 5 to 6 and do at least 90 mph, other wise leave it in 5 gear. 4 and 5 are sweet gears, that 6 gear is almost an overdrive gear. I gota be getting on the highway and like I said, I do close to 100 mph before it gets snicked into that top gear. Bike shifts flawless considering all the miles on it :smile:

Btw, I do have a factory pro-shift kit with the detent arm, but that was installed about 65,000 miles ago

 

I'm just tossing this out there, but I think the 8k intervals is if you also ride like the manual says; example being shifting into 6th at 36mph.

If you ride it like you stole it then I'd venture to say that the 8k recommended interval is greatly reduced.

 

it would be very out of the ordinary that the valves on your bike are gona require any adjusting. If the mechanic is on book time or flat rate (read: system designed to screw the mechanic) you could just be wasting your money.

I have done other V-4s and did mine around the 70,000 mile mark. The cams were perfect as well as the tolerances being within spec! My motor wasnt looked at for over 40,000 miles! So a new motor like yours, sheet, its still breaking in. Just change your oil with synthetic and dont be afraid to rev it freely. No lugging (too high a gear for the RPM). Other than dat just enjoy.

Hell>I would never go to a motorcycle dealer or a car dealer for service. Buying a new vehicle is another story though :smile:

 

Who the hell would shift into SIXTH gear at 36 miles per hour? Your grandma maybe...

 

Oh, I know... but the book says you can. I don't, ever, but its there. I think it's 36... I knwo it's thirty something.

 

I reserve 6th gear for highway cruising once I get the bike to a steady 75. I've found it'l get 47mpg around 70 with a gentle throttle hand in 6th.

 

I have tried it sounds like the bike is crushing the bearings from bogging the engine makes me wonder if they pulled that section from a bike that was like a 70cc motor. Rotella T6 is syn. This definitely shifts different than the EX-500 that i was riding day in and out for 3 years. Hydraulic vs cable.

Chances are I am changing the gearing wider I like wider spacing between the gears and better gas mileage. I will go to 18 tooth up front. The bike has plenty of power. I can feel the rear step out on me lightly when I hammer it coming around a corner in second gear I like to take that away not going to softer tires as its a commuter first.

 

Changing the sprockets won't affect the ratios between gears and certainly won't affect your shifting. Raising the gearing will just keep you in first and second longer. The only real differences will be slipping the clutch more on takes offs and cruising rpm. Honda has spent millions of miles testing the VFR for 25 years now and I bet they have picked the gearing that gives the best overall performance and economy.

What have you tried? Clutchless up-shifting? It doesn't make any noise.

My 86 can be happy shifting into 6th at 50-55. Kinda doubt that oil makes any noticeable difference in shifting as long as you are using the recommended grade. I use the same type of oil that I use in my diesel tractors, equipment, cars and other motorcycles. Just buy it in the small size, 2.5 gallon from the local MFA farm store.

Didn't I read that some of the later models have separate oil supplies for the engine transmission and clutch? My wife had a used Buell that the clutch wouldn't release when cold. She finally came to her senses and sold it before we did any maintenance on it.