07 vfr800ABS transmission notchyness?

Overall I am very pleased with this machine. Its the third one I have owned and by far it is a better overall bike. All I hear is praise about this machine from owners and official reviewers. My question is has anyone noticed the relative notchyness of this transmission? I think is probably the roughest transmission I have experienced. I don't think I have a defective machine but I just want to make sure. I'm hoping other 6 gens will be unbias opinions. I have changed the oil 3 times already and running regular dino oil. What do you all think? Thanks in advance...

 

Yep, mine is clunky as well. I find if you load it a tiny bit before shifting it shifts smoother. I have a buddy with a 1000RR and it shifts the same as well. I have thought about the Factory Pro Shift kit but haven't heard that may reviews about it.

Once you get a bit more experienced with it the shifts will become smoother as well. My fast preloaded shifts at around 6k are actually quite smooth, but there is a good amount of technique and specifics required. Slow lower rpm shifts are not as smooth.

 

The trans on my '07 is as smooth as glass. My '83...well...not so smooth. I would hope yours would smooth out soon.

 

Once you move to a full synthetic oil, it will be better.

 

I cannot say that I would agree. I have only ridden about 7 different bikes in the last 2 years but seems smooth to me. I sometimes hit neutral on the upshift from 1st but I know I am just not nudging it enough.
Feels smooth to me.

 

Mine was good from the start ('07). It did seem to get a bit smoother after oil change number two, when I went to a synthetic blend, but it has always been an excellent tranny. It is the best one I have ever had, although most of my bikes have been older.

Does your clutch seem to be working OK? A dragging clutch will completely hose up the shifting action. Something doesn't sound right (to me, anyway).

 

My 07 25th is ... amazing. The end.

 

My shifting seems clunky from 1st to 2nd as well. All the other gears are fine.
Just changed the oil to some amsoil snythetic. I dont know what was in previously.
If it doesnt help soon im doing the clutch fluid. Its only 4500 miles

 

i have notchiness as well

hey all. i have an 08 interceptor and there is a clunking sound sometimes as well. it seems to be better right after an oil change but soon goes back to the same way. I also have a vtx 1300 and i am not sure if I am just use to the shaft drive (pure silk) when shifting. the lower gears have more of a clunk than the higher gears.

 

The type of oil you use makes a big difference to the way the gears change, from my experience.
I get the best gearchanges using Motul 10w40 semi synthetic (5100) or silkolene comp4 10w40 and the worse gearchanges from shell vsx synthetic.
The difference is quite noticeable
I dont know what oils are available in the states but it pays to experiment a bit.
Also, it is a good indication of when the oil is breaking down a bit as often the gearchanges will be super slick after an oil change but after a few thousand Ks they start to get notchy again.
The shear in bike gearboxes is quite demanding on an engine oil.

 

Often when I notice notchy shifting my chain needs to be adjusted. Just one more opinon to consider.

 

The transmission on my 99 didn't really start getting smooth like butter until around 18,000 miles and with synthetic oil. Preloading the shifter slightly before clutching makes upshifts smoother too. I still periodically land myself in neutral shifting from first to second, but its me being lazy and just flicking at the shifter. Never does it when my technique is good.

 

No problems here.

Under what circumstances do you notice "notchy" shifting? Between which gears? Shifting up or shifting down?

 

My 2007 qualifies as Notchy. Clunks into gear. My 1995 F3 did this. Maybe its Honda? It helps to compare it against something, since this is a relative thing. My 2006 R1 was the smoothest shifting bike ever, light years better than the VFR. Maybe I'll try a different oil, but its not gonna make miracles happen.

 

I was in traffic next to a harley v-rod a while back... when he dropped it into first it sounded like someone smacked the bottom of the engine case with a ball peen hammer. These bikes really aren't that bad. Even still, every bike has its nuances, pluses and minuses. After coming from an old KZ400 that found false neutrals like it was its job the VFR has an exceptional transmission. Keep the case filled with good clean oil and just keep on riding, you'll forget it in time.