Trouble Finding Neutral
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
I'm new to Harleys, but not to bikes. I recently bought a 2011 Road King Classic. I love the bike so far, but I'm having the damnest time finding neutral. The slightest pressure on the shifter and it jumps past neutral. It takes several back and forths with the shifter before it stops at neutral.
Is this a common Harley characteristics? I don't have this problem on any of my other bikes. So, I was wondering is there some adjustment that I can make to allow me to find neutral easier and faster?
Is this a common Harley characteristics? I don't have this problem on any of my other bikes. So, I was wondering is there some adjustment that I can make to allow me to find neutral easier and faster?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
An old timer showed me this trick when I was having trouble finding neutral in a bike show. It really works, and it doesn't cost anything....
Right before you attempt to shift into neutral, give the throttle a little nudge to raise the RPMs ( just a little ) and as the RPMS start to slow down, then shift into neutral. According to the old timer, this takes all the stress off the gears & allows easier shifting.
Right before you attempt to shift into neutral, give the throttle a little nudge to raise the RPMs ( just a little ) and as the RPMS start to slow down, then shift into neutral. According to the old timer, this takes all the stress off the gears & allows easier shifting.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Its not that hard... It just takes experience. Coming to a stop, if you make a practice of downshifting from 2nd to N with a slight blip on the throttle it soon becomes a habit and doesn't even require a thought. It just becomes natural.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,023
Likes: 989
From: Just Outside Chicago
It just becomes natural to get to neutral.... :-) ...........
Last edited by riteway; May 26, 2011 at 12:04 PM.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 89
From: Vermont
I couldn't get mine into neutral to save my life when new, and the clunk into first was excessive. After the first 1000 miles, I readjusted the clutch in its entirety, and changed all my fluids to Amsoil synthetic. No more issues.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: NE Illinois
I've got the same problem and after reading a hell of lot of posts on this, I feel assured it will get better over time and especially after the 1000 mile check with synthetic fluid changeover and clutch adjustment. One thing weird came up recently. My huge feet had a problem with no room on the left floorboard. I got a long rear shift lever from Walter's Workshop and adjusted it on the splines real low so when you heal down on the rear shifter it's about even with the floorboard. With the longer lever, the shift geometry has changed so if I go to first gear and just tap the heal shifter, it slides right into neutral every time. Still can't get it easy using the front shifter but I'm sure it will get better. When you hear people say it just takes experience, blow them off, if they were on your or my bike, they'd be having the same problem. I've been on bikes since 1967 and have never experienced this before. Been on friends Harleys older than 2011 that I never had a problem with. You know it's unique to the newer models with 6 speed trans, otherwise you wouldn't be seeing a lot of posts on this subject. Good luck.
Last edited by zfdtruckman; May 26, 2011 at 12:29 PM.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Owings Mills, MD
Well, based on the responses, I guess I'll have to live with the neutral hunting issue. As others have pointed out, I have less trouble when moving. But, when the engine is off and I want to put it in neutral ... add 5 minutes to the task at hand.
Anyway, it's good to know that it's a common feature (i.e., characteristic) of Harley transmissions (especially 6 speeds) and not some defect.
Anyway, it's good to know that it's a common feature (i.e., characteristic) of Harley transmissions (especially 6 speeds) and not some defect.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Well, based on the responses, I guess I'll have to live with the neutral hunting issue. As others have pointed out, I have less trouble when moving. But, when the engine is off and I want to put it in neutral ... add 5 minutes to the task at hand.
Anyway, it's good to know that it's a common feature (i.e., characteristic) of Harley transmissions (especially 6 speeds) and not some defect.
Anyway, it's good to know that it's a common feature (i.e., characteristic) of Harley transmissions (especially 6 speeds) and not some defect.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Can't wait to try the rpm trick; have had my "new" '07 fat boy (3,600 miles) for almost two weeks and have really been struggling with neutral. I have definitely noticed it's easier to hit neutral from second when rolling. Once stopped - it's tough; although I'm getting better. Also want to try the suggestion of heal tapping from first. This is a a great/active forum - really shortening the learning curve!!! Cheers, Kevin.
