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I've noticed that once I come to a stop after cruising in 5th, when I go to downshift, after I hit 4th I keep pushing and nothing happens. It's as if there are no other gears. I have to go back to 5th and once I try downshifting again, all the other gears catch. Is this just part of break in?
It's part of owning a HD. If you come to a stop and your in 5th and need to downshift you have to let the clutch in and out to realign the gearsets in the trans. The best thing you can do is to downshift as you come to a stop as you are still rolling and the trans will realign the gears on it's own.
Most bikes like to be downshifted at speed rather than all at once. Get in a habit of downshifting this way and I'm pretty sure you won't have problems. Just make sure as you slow down, you still use your brake so as to let the folks behind you know you are slowing.
Downshift as you slow down, it will help you with your downshift problem. And it will also put you in the correct gear if you have to react to traffic or road conditions.
If you are blip throttle down shifting you should have no problems, however if you are downshifting through the clutch from fifth (holding the clutch lever in and trying go down through the cogs) could be your problem.
Try this. From fifth pull clutch lever in blip throttle down shift one gear at a time, same routine everytime, clutch, blip downshift. Matching the revs with the proper gear as you are slowing should eliminate your problem.
i have an o6 1200r with about 2400 miles on it.First problem was i stopped at a light, downshifting on the way.At the light in neutral, i went to put it in first and it would not go.I moved to the side of the road and after shifting to second it went into first.Now it is hard to shift from 3hrd down into neutral.I am afraid to ride it very far.Anyone have any good thoughts on it? Clif
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