Accidently shifting into neutral

**AllanB** · 20th October 2010, 17:31

If I was making gear changes at 18,000 rpm on the Hornet I'm sure the gear shifting would be the least of my worries! (9500 redline).

It's a Honda - it will be fussy with the brand and age of the oil and their boxes appear to take 5000 kms or so to get nice.

**skinman** · 21st October 2010, 11:30

I would say I miss 2nd about once a week which would be about every 400km. did a good 1 yesterday, big riiiiiiiing ahhh clunk. usually when going for that gap at intersections, trying to hook 2nd on lean. damm short 1st gears. Sometimes get neutral when putting along in traffic, shifting too gently.

**jonbuoy** · 22nd October 2010, 08:04

Technique - keep gentle upwards pressure on the gearlever until the clutch is home and be positive with the shifting (not rough - don´t "stab" the shifter) works every time on any bike.

**scumdog** · 22nd October 2010, 08:17

Originally Posted by kevfromcoro

I have had it shifting from 4th to 5th in a couple of my bikes..
My mates new honda 1300 seams to have a neutral between 4th and 5th too

??

My old iron0head Sportster had a whole fist-full of neutrals if you tried 'racing changes'..

**ellipsis** · 22nd October 2010, 08:18

....only happens to me when you really want a good start off the line when racing or when every man , woman and their dogs are looking....

**onearmedbandit** · 22nd October 2010, 08:24

Originally Posted by Old Steve

This is a common glitch in Suzukis and Hyosungs (Hyosung must've copied the suzuki gearbox so well that they included the Suzuki first/neutral problem).

Really? In 20yrs biking I've found Suzuki's gearboxes to be almost 100% fault free. In fact Suzuki's are known for their slick, smooth reliable gearboxes. Unless you are talking about their budget models?

**howdamnhard** · 22nd October 2010, 09:14

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

How often do you guys accidentally hook neutral instead of second gear? It happens to me about once every 200km, and it usually happens when attempting an 18000RPM shift.

Normally only if trying to pull away fast and not being positive enough. Momentarily dipping the revs as you change helps.

**javawocky** · 22nd October 2010, 11:33

Originally Posted by slofox

Hasn't happened on the gixxer.

I missed the odd change on the SVS when I had it - not usually 2nd though - usually higher up. Always because I was less than positive with the shift.

Same here, never happened, but haven't had a proper track day yet, so anything is possible.

On my old SV thou it was a little temperamental around 4th to 5th when giving it stick at Hamptondowns under duress.

**O2R** · 22nd October 2010, 14:22

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Really? In fact Suzuki's are known for their slick, smooth reliable gearboxes.

Clearly not owned a Boulevard.

I believe the saying is "agricultural"

**onearmedbandit** · 22nd October 2010, 14:30

Originally Posted by O2R

Clearly not owned a Boulevard.

I believe the saying is "agricultural"

Ha, true, no I haven't. Actually thinking about it now my previous statement was probably a little off, the GSX/GSXR range is known for the nice gearboxes. Not too sure about their other models, my RGV and RM were fine, but obviously the owners of SV's and Boulevards too have had issues.