Question: about shifting gears

[kvyy32]

Hello, guys. Here's a really embarrasing question, but I couldn't find it on any other sites...

So.. I just picked up a Kawasaki GPZ 250r for my learner bike today.

Apparantly, when I sit on the basic handling test, I never had to shift up to second gear. So I never noticed this question till now.

So the engine was running, but the bike did not allow me to shift up to second or more when it's not moving. I am sure the clutch is pushed right in.

Luckily, I realised that as soon as the bike starts moving, I was then able to shift up and down, so the previous owner doesn't have to come all the way from North Shore for the false alarm (Thank God.. Or I will kill myself).

I just need to know if it is normal to happen like that? And how come manual cars don't have this kind of problem (Even if the engine is off)?

Thanks for reading this thread!

[homer]

most likely its the position of the gear box .
Try holding the clutch in and slightly rolling the bike forward and try shifting in to 2nd .

[Ixion]

This is pretty common on bikes (and a lot of novices ask this question). It is because bikes have wet clutches (unlike cars, with dry clutches).

The oil in a wet clutch will always cause a bit of drag. That makes the gearbox dogs lock up (and bike gearboxes are different to cars).

Uusual techniques are to push the bike forward a bit as you lift the gearlever to select neutral.

Or engage second, then give the gear lever a quick tap with your foot.

All this of course with the clutch disengaged.

If the drag is real bad (engaging first gear makes a loud clunk and the bike jerks forward and stalls), your clutch may need adjustment (unlike cars, bike clutches are adjustable). But if it's just hard to get into neutral when stopped it's probably normal.

When stopping you can slip the box into neutral in the last foot of so before you stop. Though some people deprecate this practice in case you need to do a fast take off to avoid being rearended.

[kvyy32]

Thanks mate. I took a try just as you advised. Apparantly the shifting is only possible if the wheel is running (the engine must run as well).

I'm glad that it is working well and nothing wrong with it, and preciated for your advise!

[speights_bud]

Quite normal for Kawasaki's, They wont allow you to change from Neutral straight into second, need to be in first & moving ie riding or turning gearbox over before allowing second gear to be engaged. My GPX250 was the same and so is Yungatart's Ninja500, IT's relativley common but a bit of a bummer when the battery is dodgy and yer need to bump start it.

[Mom]

I have found sometimes a short jerk downwards on the bars can help to move a resistant gearbox up a gear. Not sure how to explain how to do it though I should go downstairs and have a crack at it, the front brake plays a part though. My clutch is a bit elderly and the gearbox on my bike hates selecting neutral while the engine is idling, I have heaps of fun selecting first/second/first/second etc and not finding neutral at all. I have been known to stall deliberately because I have given up the battle...LOL

Keep at it mate, learning to ride these wonderful machines is great fun, even for those that have been riding for ever.

Check out the mentor programe here on the site and see if there is someone close by you that can offer some one on one support.

[James Deuce]

Kawasaki's positive neutral finder at work. If you come to a halt in first you can't change past neutral (most of the time) until you are moving. This is so you can find neutral easily when you come to a stop.

[kvyy32]

Thank you all for answering my question. I guess there are a lot of differences between the bike and the car.

Cheers!!

[Ducky848]

Kawasaki's positive neutral finder at work. If you come to a halt in first you can't change past neutral (most of the time) until you are moving. This is so you can find neutral easily when you come to a stop.

Awesome. My CR250 needs this feature, finding neutral with MX boots while balancing on the side of a steep bank with a stalled engine can be a challenge......

*I think thats it....nope...nudge....nope that must be 2nd again...nudge...shit maybe it was in third? nudge...nudge..nope it was 2nd alright....*

[madbikeboy]

When stopping you can slip the box into neutral in the last foot of so before you stop. Though some people deprecate this practice in case you need to do a fast take off to avoid being rearended.

Yeah, as a matter of course, I stop in first, and as I come to a stop I cover my mirrors - if a car comes up from behind, I make sure he's going to stop, and I have moved left and out of the way a few times - saving me from a rear end at least 3 times. People run read lights all the time, don't assume that because you stopped, SUV driver is going to, and being in first means you have venga mucho (more faster!) if you need it...

Good point Ixion.

[vifferman]

It's also because the gearbox (unlike a car) is a kind of constant mesh type, and the gear selector mechanism doesn't work well if the gear shafts the gears are attached to aren't rotating (which they aren't, if the bike is stationary and the clutch is pulled in). If you really want to put it into gear when it's stationary, you need to at least roll the bike backwards or forwards a bit to make the shafts turn (effectively allowing the teeth on the gear cogs you're trying to engage to slip between each other ).
Remember this if you come to a stop without changing into first or neutral - you can move it into these by rocking the bike forwards or backwards as you move the gearlever. Sometimes you need also to let the clutch out slightly as you do it.