stopped fast - wouldn't downshift
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Valdosta GA
stopped fast - wouldn't downshift
I had to stop pretty quick from 5th gear today, so I pulIed the clutch and hit the brakes and as I was slowing, I shifted to first... or attempted to. The shifter just moved freely down, no tension, and it didn't shift down gears. After I came to a stop I had to let the clutch out just to where it grabbed, then pull it in again and shift to 4th. Same for 3rd-1st. Other than that, no issues with the clutch or shifting. Only thing I see is that my clutch has a little more play in it than I set it at 4000 miles ago, but it is just barely looser than spec. Any ideas? Anyone seen this before? Thanks.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 87
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From: Valdosta GA
Just checked it out on YouTube... Too easy. So what happened? Just needs to be adjusted from time to time? Can anyone tell me what exactly is going on that such an easy adjustment will fix?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 848
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From: CO
As far as I know, this is normal behavior when the engine is running. If I stop in 5th or 6th, it does exactly the same thing unless i let the clutch out a tiny bit to put a little pressure on the gears. It's meant to be downshifted out of higher gears before you come to a stop. No big deal.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 297
Likes: 1
From: Ok
Agree with ^ let the clutch out a little bit to engage whatever gear you've got down to then pull the clutch right back in and you should be able to shift down again
All my bikes have done the something if your stopped and you try to go down several gears
All my bikes have done the something if your stopped and you try to go down several gears
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
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From: South of Mordor
The gear will drop a gear and stay in that gear regardless of how many more times you try and shift it again. Until the transmission know where it is, it doesn't know where to go. I would think its a safety precaution to prevent someone from being in a high gear and double it triple shifting down gears while doing 50, 60 or more MPH. Think about what would happen if you were doing 70 and you accidentally double shifted from 5th down into 3rd or worse and ended up in 2nd, you would more than likely be thrown from the bike do to the unexpected RPM change and drastic torque change put on the trans and rear wheel.
So, do what most if us do, drop a gear and engage the clutch, repeat and ride on. The traffic behind you might get a little pissy, oh well.
So, do what most if us do, drop a gear and engage the clutch, repeat and ride on. The traffic behind you might get a little pissy, oh well.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Coweta, Oklahoma
I had to do that myself yesterday. Riding alone about sixty mph or so and the light turns yellow, I thought I could make it through, but suddenly realized I was too far away for trying that. So squeeze both brakes and start downshifting from fifth to first in about seventy five yards, wheeuee I made it.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Valdosta GA
Yeah about the same thing here. A cop had someone pulled over in the oncoming turn lane, and the rubbernecker infront of me saw the light turn yellow and slammed her brakes, when she easily could have made the light, or at least slowed a little less rapidly, but obviously wasn't paying attention, so I had to slam mine. And just like MSF taught, downshift quickly to 1st while coming to a stop. But my gears didnt change, just the shifter moved without any resistance. Guess I'll adjust the clutch pack when I do my service in 1000 miles. I have never had that happen before, glad it isn't a big issue.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,171
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From: Northern CA
So on the way to work this morning got the bike up to 70mph in 6th gear, pulled in the clutch and was able to down shift with audible clicks all the way to first. Clicked back up to 4th and let out the clutch. Would have locked up and tore **** up had I let the clutch out when the bike was in 1st. My bike has always behaved this way ('07). I'm not sure about those who say its normal to not be able to down shift from 5th to 1st in one clutch pull or maybe I have this whole thing missunderstood! I still say adjust clutch pack.