Finding Neutral
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
Likes: 14,674
From: in a cave at the foothills
I am on my 3rd Harley with a synchronized transmission and never had a problem with neutral, especially the new bike. If it were me I would probably ride it out and if still an issue at the 1,000 service simply have it checked out. Or take it to the dealer now and let them see the problem. Plenty of people have complained about the effort it takes to pull in the clutch so are you sure you are fully engaging it?
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 809
From: Middle America
Generally, Neutral is much easier for me to find on my 18 Deluxe when the bike is moving. But i did recently swap our the Stock shift peg with the OEM Nostalgic one (which has a bit more surface area), and its now much easier to find neural when Im at a dead stop.
Thread Starter
|
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 89
From: Vermont
I know...Not a good idea to be in Neutral at stop lights. Wasn't mine to question however, I simply wanted to know if other found the newer bikes had a touchy neutral? My 10 Street Glide shifts and finds neutral like butter.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 71
I think it's a good thing they offer demos. You should definitely demo the one you want before you plunk down the booty. Do this even if you've ridden one just like it before.
I was ready to do a deal on a WG a couple years back until the demo. The anti-stop brakes were a dangerous annoyance, but the idea of having to hold the clutch in at every stop because the bike could not be put in neutral without killing the engine, killed my deal.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 456
From: The Great Midwest
If youre having real issues finding it..reach over with your hand and pull it into neutral that way. On the Big custom bikes with forward controls its the easiest way sometimes.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 2,990
From: Charleston, SC
Normal for this guy. I've never had a new Harley in which it was "easy" right from the start to find neutral. That is until it was first broken in. (couple thousand miles)
I'll add that I almost always take off the rear shifter because I don't typically use it, but on this newest bike I put it back on because I found that can you easily get into neutral by lightly stepping on it when you're in first.
I'll add that I almost always take off the rear shifter because I don't typically use it, but on this newest bike I put it back on because I found that can you easily get into neutral by lightly stepping on it when you're in first.