Cant find neutral
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
1) Adjust your clutch, youtube videos abound on how to do this.
If its STILL hard to find Neutral, swap out the primary fluid for something better, such as Mobil 1 75w90 or Redline Heavy shockproof.
It will get a lot easier after the initial break in of the bike.
If its STILL hard to find Neutral, swap out the primary fluid for something better, such as Mobil 1 75w90 or Redline Heavy shockproof.
It will get a lot easier after the initial break in of the bike.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 1
From: New Brunswick, C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
neutral is half way between 1 & 2. Easiest way to find it is rev really high (fast take off) and try to find 2. It slips into neutral as you think you are going to race off in 2. Happens all the time especially when someone is watching you. otherwise, gentle clicking when slow or stop finds it. 
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Hartford, WI
Mine never did get better till it was adjusted.
Stage I
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina/Vermont
Problem finding Neutral
I have a new (60 miles) 2012 XL 883 Sportster super low and getting it into neutral is very difficult. I have to try many times and I seem to miss neutral on the way up and down. Sometimes I just give up and grab the clutch with my right hand and reach down and pull the lever up by hand which works but could be dangerous. Could it be bad foot technique or do other people have this problem. I love my new bike and the only other thing that bothers me is that the air cleaner seems to be in the way of my right knee. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 11
From: Belgium
Another problem for new riders finding the N is that they just are new riders.
New riders with new bikes don't match good in the beginnings, that's normal.
I also have had issues to find my N in the beginning, it goes better after having rode the bike for 10k miles.
New riders with new bikes don't match good in the beginnings, that's normal.
I also have had issues to find my N in the beginning, it goes better after having rode the bike for 10k miles.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 934
Likes: 54
From: Elm City, NC
I realize that noone is going to change from mids to forwards just to easily find neutral, just making an observation but... Finding neutral is far easier with fwd controls; I don't know if it's the longer shift arm or change in foot position but I haven't missed finding neutral once since making the change.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I have a new (60 miles) 2012 XL 883 Sportster super low and getting it into neutral is very difficult. I have to try many times and I seem to miss neutral on the way up and down. Sometimes I just give up and grab the clutch with my right hand and reach down and pull the lever up by hand which works but could be dangerous. Could it be bad foot technique or do other people have this problem. I love my new bike and the only other thing that bothers me is that the air cleaner seems to be in the way of my right knee. Any suggestions would be helpful.
I also find that the shifter peg height can make a big difference if there's too much space between the top of your boot toe to the bottom of the shifter peg. If I wear my thinner, softer street shoes instead of my riding boots, I have more trouble getting neutral at times.