2015 forty-eight problems bug me for a while
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
2015 forty-eight problems bug me for a while
Hi guys, my 2015 XL1200 forty-eight have a few problems happens once in a while, but really bugs me, I hope someone can diagnose for me.
here is info for my bike:
2015 xl1200 forty-eight, bought in August 2016, had 1200 miles on it when purchased(now is about 4k miles), every major part is stock, except for Cobra slip ons
ISSUE 1: Gear can't downshift
It happens once in a while. When I came to red light to stop, I couldn't put it in neutral, and you can tell something is not right because it felt different, so by now since I missed the neutral the gear went to 2nd, then I tried downshift back to 1st, shift peg wouldn't go down, felt like it stuck, wouldn't click, so I had to take off in 2nd gear.
ISSUE 2: 1st gear stall when sliding
This happens quit often, for example I was riding in higher(let's say 3rd) gear coming to a red light, I downshift to 2nd and to 1st, and stay in 1st sliding, it would ultimately slowdown to a stall, like there is not enough torque, bike will shake crazy so I had to give steady gas to keep bike moving
ISSUE 3: Losing power for a split second
Most often happens right after starting the bike, when giving gas, the power was cut for a split second, the exhaust sound dies as well in the meantime, like when you take a deep breathe it stops quickly and goes back to normal
these are not deadly issues but it's very annoying when happen, really hope someone could tell a thing or two in terms of what's going on
Much appreciate!
Roger
here is info for my bike:
2015 xl1200 forty-eight, bought in August 2016, had 1200 miles on it when purchased(now is about 4k miles), every major part is stock, except for Cobra slip ons
ISSUE 1: Gear can't downshift
It happens once in a while. When I came to red light to stop, I couldn't put it in neutral, and you can tell something is not right because it felt different, so by now since I missed the neutral the gear went to 2nd, then I tried downshift back to 1st, shift peg wouldn't go down, felt like it stuck, wouldn't click, so I had to take off in 2nd gear.
ISSUE 2: 1st gear stall when sliding
This happens quit often, for example I was riding in higher(let's say 3rd) gear coming to a red light, I downshift to 2nd and to 1st, and stay in 1st sliding, it would ultimately slowdown to a stall, like there is not enough torque, bike will shake crazy so I had to give steady gas to keep bike moving
ISSUE 3: Losing power for a split second
Most often happens right after starting the bike, when giving gas, the power was cut for a split second, the exhaust sound dies as well in the meantime, like when you take a deep breathe it stops quickly and goes back to normal
these are not deadly issues but it's very annoying when happen, really hope someone could tell a thing or two in terms of what's going on
Much appreciate!
Roger
Last edited by graphicdisaster; Mar 26, 2017 at 09:34 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 443
From: Indianapolis
For issue #1
Was the 1000 mile service completed before you bought it?
That should have included a primary chain adjustment, transmission fluid change and clutch adjustment.
(and a lot more)
Have you checked the clutch cable adjustment?
You should have about 1/8" free play in the cable at the handle.
With the clutch released, pull out on the clutch cable at the handle, it should pull out about an 1/8".
If the previous owner didn't have the 1000 mile service completed, I would suggest you adjust the clutch and change the trans/primary fluid. Pick up a quart of HD Formula+ trans fluid or 75w-90 diff lube or 20w-50 V twin motor oil for the primary/trans.
For issue#2 - not sure what you mean.
Are you saying coming to a stop, down shifting to 1st and keeping the clutch pulled in (disengaged)?
If that is what you are describing, it sounds like your clutch is not fully disengaging and needs adjustment. See above.
Was the 1000 mile service completed before you bought it?
That should have included a primary chain adjustment, transmission fluid change and clutch adjustment.
(and a lot more)
Have you checked the clutch cable adjustment?
You should have about 1/8" free play in the cable at the handle.
With the clutch released, pull out on the clutch cable at the handle, it should pull out about an 1/8".
If the previous owner didn't have the 1000 mile service completed, I would suggest you adjust the clutch and change the trans/primary fluid. Pick up a quart of HD Formula+ trans fluid or 75w-90 diff lube or 20w-50 V twin motor oil for the primary/trans.
For issue#2 - not sure what you mean.
Are you saying coming to a stop, down shifting to 1st and keeping the clutch pulled in (disengaged)?
If that is what you are describing, it sounds like your clutch is not fully disengaging and needs adjustment. See above.
Last edited by shanneba; Mar 26, 2017 at 10:19 AM.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Are you saying coming to a stop, down shifting to 1st and keeping the clutch pulled in (disengaged)?
If that is what you are describing, it sounds like your clutch is not fully disengaging and needs adjustment. See above.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the reply
I was saying there is one time I stopped at red light trying to get to neutral from 1st gear, but failed, the gear wouldn't register in neutral no matter what, since you missed the neutral when uplift your shiftpeg now the gear is in 2nd right？ so I have to downshift to 1st to try get the gear to neutral again, but the shift peg seemed stuck(or maybe the gear inside gets stuck somehow), wouldn't go down. That's the problem
If that is what you are describing, it sounds like your clutch is not fully disengaging and needs adjustment. See above.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the reply
I was saying there is one time I stopped at red light trying to get to neutral from 1st gear, but failed, the gear wouldn't register in neutral no matter what, since you missed the neutral when uplift your shiftpeg now the gear is in 2nd right？ so I have to downshift to 1st to try get the gear to neutral again, but the shift peg seemed stuck(or maybe the gear inside gets stuck somehow), wouldn't go down. That's the problem
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
Have you ever ridden a motorcycle before?
Issue 3 is because you should let it warm up. Anything with a motor should be brought up to operating temp before taking off.
Issue 2, what the hell is sliding? Put it in first while rolling to the stop then stay in first with the clutch in.
Issue 1, adjust your clutch. Do you have a repair(service) manual? If not get one. Find someone who can help you work on your bike too if you are unsure.
You really sound like you need to take a safety course. Learn how to ride before you get hurt.
Issue 3 is because you should let it warm up. Anything with a motor should be brought up to operating temp before taking off.
Issue 2, what the hell is sliding? Put it in first while rolling to the stop then stay in first with the clutch in.
Issue 1, adjust your clutch. Do you have a repair(service) manual? If not get one. Find someone who can help you work on your bike too if you are unsure.
You really sound like you need to take a safety course. Learn how to ride before you get hurt.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 16,271
Likes: 15,108
From: Somewhere SW
I was saying there is one time I stopped at red light trying to get to neutral from 1st gear, but failed, the gear wouldn't register in neutral no matter what, since you missed the neutral when uplift your shiftpeg now the gear is in 2nd right？ so I have to downshift to 1st to try get the gear to neutral again, but the shift peg seemed stuck(or maybe the gear inside gets stuck somehow), wouldn't go down. That's the problem
BTW my bike has 30k on it and I had trouble finding neutral today... It's called operator error.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 226
From: middle Tennessee
I will say I had some trouble finding natural on Harley formula + and SYN3 in the trans. Sense I went tp Red Line 75W90 GL5 Synthetic gear oil I have no trouble finding neutral at any time. Just my personal experience.
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Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
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From: San Francisco
Like others have said adjust the clutch and ride it. From what I can gather you haven't been able to find neutral, this is normal on a new bike. Eventually the bike will break in some and you'll get the feel for neutral.
BTW my bike has 30k on it and I had trouble finding neutral today... It's called operator error.
BTW my bike has 30k on it and I had trouble finding neutral today... It's called operator error.
I am a new rider and still have a lot to learn but I'm pretty sure something isn't right, I'll definitely check my clutch and gear. Thanks a lot
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Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Have you ever ridden a motorcycle before?
Issue 3 is because you should let it warm up. Anything with a motor should be brought up to operating temp before taking off.
Issue 2, what the hell is sliding? Put it in first while rolling to the stop then stay in first with the clutch in.
Issue 1, adjust your clutch. Do you have a repair(service) manual? If not get one. Find someone who can help you work on your bike too if you are unsure.
You really sound like you need to take a safety course. Learn how to ride before you get hurt.
Issue 3 is because you should let it warm up. Anything with a motor should be brought up to operating temp before taking off.
Issue 2, what the hell is sliding? Put it in first while rolling to the stop then stay in first with the clutch in.
Issue 1, adjust your clutch. Do you have a repair(service) manual? If not get one. Find someone who can help you work on your bike too if you are unsure.
You really sound like you need to take a safety course. Learn how to ride before you get hurt.
how long should I warm it up normally?
in terms of issue 2, let me explain it another way, if you riding with 1st gear only while not giving gas at all(on flat pavement), will your bike stall and die eventually? I know my 48 will
also, when I taking off from 1st gear my bike will be very jerky, I let my friend who has decade of riding experiences ride my bike, he found it to be very jerky too, I also hopped on his forty-eight do the same thing only to know the cluth/gear went very smooth, I guess something regarding to clutch/gear need to be checked.
Thanks a ton for you suggestion
Last edited by graphicdisaster; Mar 26, 2017 at 10:20 PM.