Finding neutral difficult
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 9
From: Meridian, ID
Finding neutral difficult
Hi,
I have a 2019 Softail Slim with 500 miles on it. I'm finding it next to impossible finding neutral when coming to a stoplight. Is this something that will improve with the more miles I ride?
I have a 2019 Softail Slim with 500 miles on it. I'm finding it next to impossible finding neutral when coming to a stoplight. Is this something that will improve with the more miles I ride?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,315
Likes: 2,453
From: Eastern NE
First, why are you going into neutral @ stoplights? What if you needed to make an evasive maneuver...?? Keep it in gear...
Second, have you tried swapping primary & tranny fluids? If not, recommend you get the crap stock oils out & good stuff in...I use/recommend Spectro oils.
Third, nice 1st post...where's the intro? >.<
Second, have you tried swapping primary & tranny fluids? If not, recommend you get the crap stock oils out & good stuff in...I use/recommend Spectro oils.
Third, nice 1st post...where's the intro? >.<
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 503
Likes: 197
From:
I highly recommend checking out this video, I followed the steps and adjusted my clutch, neutral is much easier to find now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1UYBtZM4LI
Welcome to the forum!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1UYBtZM4LI
Welcome to the forum!
After checking my mirrors and feeling safe about what's behind me I will put my bike into neutral at lights. I can pop her into gear in 1 second and all you "prepare for the slide not the ride" people will tell me I'm gonna die in that one second. Well, riding is dangerous and you never know what is gonna happen but I ain't riding scared.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,695
Likes: 6,474
From: Honah Lee
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 386
Likes: 117
From: Beaver Falls PA
I just picked-up a new 2019 Softail Slim and it has about 300 miles on it . Also have a hard time finding neutral . All I can say it takes a very light touch , easier said than done with heavy motorcycle boots on . My 2016 883 Iron was much easier to find neutral , then again that was the almost bullet proof Evo engine and transmission .
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 766
Likes: 651
From: Reno, NV
Sometimes you have to pick a bugger which requires popping it into neutral. Geese. And who really cares about the intro. Guy has a question...he asked the question. That's all it takes sometimes. We gotta make friends before asking?
Now...all that said...you really should learn to keep it in gear at the stops. I had a bad habit of going to neutral at every stop. The MSF class I took...the instructor kept telling me to put it back in gear at the stop obstacles. I finally got used to leaving it in gear. It's just a good habit to form. But...as said.../every once in a while you just gotta find neutral at a stop.
Best way to find neutral is before you stop. If you're already at a stop give the throttle a little blip while you shift up from 1st. That helps. You're not the first one to have a bit of difficulty finding neutral. It's a light touch finding that step between the gears.
Your clutch can be adjusted and it will help if it is out of adjustment. But on a new bike that is unlikely. Worth checking though. If you don't have a service manual, get one. If you don't work on your own bike, find a decent mechanic and ask him to check it. May as well change the oils at that time since the primary has to be opened up anyhow.
Last, different oils can help smooth out the shifting. If the oil level is high you'll have hard shifts. Make sure the oil levels are spot on where they should be. Again, refer to the service manual. The owners manual also shows how to check the levels.
To this day I have a hard time finding neutral when I pull into my driveway, getting ready to back into the garage. I pull in and swing hard to an uphill position and then come to a stop and then try to find neutral...all the while the bike is slowly rolling backwards down the hill I just swung into. It's frustrating cuz my whole fami9ly is watching me and calling me a moron. Just laugh it off and relax. Practice practice practice.
Now...all that said...you really should learn to keep it in gear at the stops. I had a bad habit of going to neutral at every stop. The MSF class I took...the instructor kept telling me to put it back in gear at the stop obstacles. I finally got used to leaving it in gear. It's just a good habit to form. But...as said.../every once in a while you just gotta find neutral at a stop.
Best way to find neutral is before you stop. If you're already at a stop give the throttle a little blip while you shift up from 1st. That helps. You're not the first one to have a bit of difficulty finding neutral. It's a light touch finding that step between the gears.
Your clutch can be adjusted and it will help if it is out of adjustment. But on a new bike that is unlikely. Worth checking though. If you don't have a service manual, get one. If you don't work on your own bike, find a decent mechanic and ask him to check it. May as well change the oils at that time since the primary has to be opened up anyhow.
Last, different oils can help smooth out the shifting. If the oil level is high you'll have hard shifts. Make sure the oil levels are spot on where they should be. Again, refer to the service manual. The owners manual also shows how to check the levels.
To this day I have a hard time finding neutral when I pull into my driveway, getting ready to back into the garage. I pull in and swing hard to an uphill position and then come to a stop and then try to find neutral...all the while the bike is slowly rolling backwards down the hill I just swung into. It's frustrating cuz my whole fami9ly is watching me and calling me a moron. Just laugh it off and relax. Practice practice practice.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 39
Likes: 14
From: Hillsboro, OR
Your clutch can be adjusted and it will help if it is out of adjustment. But on a new bike that is unlikely. Worth checking though. If you don't have a service manual, get one. If you don't work on your own bike, find a decent mechanic and ask him to check it. May as well change the oils at that time since the primary has to be opened up anyhow.