Honda Hornet gearboxes

**Goblin** · 13th October 2008, 20:06

Originally Posted by Gizzit

Thanks for the input. I hope the lever position change makes a difference.
Cheers.

No worries. Let us know how it goes.

**pritch** · 13th October 2008, 20:08

My Hornet never gave any shift problems unless the chain was in need of adjustment, but then that was my fault and easily fixed. While the Honda boxes may not be as slick as Suzuki's finest I haven't heard of them giving problems either. (Touches wood...)

If it's under warranty you have the remedy - provided that there is actually a problem with the gearbox.

**T bone** · 13th October 2008, 20:41

I moved my pedal downwards to give me a better angle to shift it at, I have no worries shifting gears unless I get lazy going from 1st to 2nd, but thats just me. Otherwise its silky smooth

**AllanB** · 13th October 2008, 20:57

No need to panic yet.

I had that happen twice early on - both times were from lazy shifting so my bad.

I've had no problem since the first 1000kms or so (7,000 now after a year of ownership).

What the dealer will be doing is lowering the shifter a few degrees so your up-shifts are full and complete.

The Hornet 900 has a pretty firm box early on - this will free up a lot after you get a good 3-4,000 kms or more on it.

Mines very sweet now and a dam site better than the Suzuki I had before.

Now where are those pictures of your new pipes and seat

**Gizzit** · 13th October 2008, 20:58

Originally Posted by T bone

I moved my pedal downwards to give me a better angle to shift it at, I have no worries shifting gears unless I get lazy going from 1st to 2nd, but thats just me. Otherwise its silky smooth

Thanks T bone, thats good to hear. Sounds like the pedal angle adjustment may help solve the issue a bit. It will be interesting to hear what the mechanics say.
Cheers.

**JeremyW** · 13th October 2008, 21:33

Mine is an 06 which I think sat in the showroom for a few months, I got it at 8k and the gearbox has gotten so much better over the 3.5k I have done on it (in just over a month!).

I dont get any false neutrals and the shift is quite positive, I did miss a few gears at high rpm to start with but its all good now. Damn site better than the KTM 690 I rode a few times! That would almost religiously hit false neutrals!

**Choco** · 13th October 2008, 21:46

Havent had any problems with mine unless you...

Originally Posted by NOMIS

clicked into 2nd but then droped back to neutral

Mine does that if you clutchless shift 1st to 2nd badly.

Apart from that it's all good!
EDIT: i have my lever adjusted WAY down. why? coz it's comfortable.

**TOTO** · 13th October 2008, 21:56

Yes , my Hooligan (900) has similar issue, but I think I have a THEORY what the problem is. If the revvs are too low for the next gear it doesnt engage. I discovered this as I try to keep it in the highest gear possible around town due to the super extremely loud virgin exhaust and I dont wanna attract attention from the smurfs. but yea , try to keep it in lower gear - say 3rd instead of 4th or 4th instead of 5th, and shif gears slightly higher in the revv range.

This is my THEORY so it may not be right, but it works for me.

**wharfy** · 14th October 2008, 17:33

Originally Posted by dipshit

A CB900 I once had completely lost top gear. A friend's CBR900 keeps jumping out of 2nd gear.

I can never understand why motorcycle journalists keep wanking on about Honda build quality and reliability...???

If any Jap bike is going to blow its engine to bits or lunch its gearbox or start burning excessive amounts of oil... its probably going to be a Honda.

I've done over 92,000 km on my Hornet, ride to work every day as well as tour and weekend fangs. PLUS Hill climb, Drag race and Road Race and it has never missed a beat - I have missed a gear change a couple of times racing but that was my fault. The only service is Oil, filter and spark plug changes (which I do myself) they are impossible to kill !!!

**Gizzit** · 14th October 2008, 18:19

Originally Posted by AllanB

No need to panic yet.

I had that happen twice early on - both times were from lazy shifting so my bad.

I've had no problem since the first 1000kms or so (7,000 now after a year of ownership).

What the dealer will be doing is lowering the shifter a few degrees so your up-shifts are full and complete.

The Hornet 900 has a pretty firm box early on - this will free up a lot after you get a good 3-4,000 kms or more on it.

Mines very sweet now and a dam site better than the Suzuki I had before.

Now where are those pictures of your new pipes and seat

I think lowering the gear lever will be helpful. And as you and others have said, more K's on the bike will mean a freeing up of the tight gearbox that I presently have. I haven't missed gear changes, it's a minor gripe at the moment I guess, but I was concerned that it is a real fault and something that really needs sorting under warranty. However, I have a really good Honda Team here in Whangarei, and I trust their advice and judgment. My bike goes in for it's 1st service on Thursday, and we will go over the gearbox issue then.
I am appreciating the input of all the Hornet owners who are encouraging regarding the strength and reliability of the bike, and that the issue is probably only very minor.
I'm really loving this bike. It has to be the best bang for your buck around!
Cheers.

Hi Allan,
The pics are on my profile. I also have a post under "general bike ravings" with pics of the seat.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=83783

**Goblin** · 21st October 2008, 17:31

So....how is it after the service? Did you adjust the lever?

**Armitage Shanks** · 21st October 2008, 17:38

From memory my C50 steppy from 76 never had a problem, all 3 gears worked like a treat ........

**Gizzit** · 22nd October 2008, 12:28

Originally Posted by Goblin

So....how is it after the service? Did you adjust the lever?

Yes the bike is going great .... it's a bit easier with the gear lever lowered down further, .... but there still is a second click if you keep your weight/lifting action on the lever. A bit of a puzzle really. The mechanic explained something about it, which went over my head .... but essentially it isn't a problem.
If I just lightly flick up through the gears ... it doesn't seem to miss gears anywhere, and it doesn't happen. I'm used to being a bit more positive about each change up, as that's how I learned to ride .... about 38 years ago, when I had a two stroke single that was a bastard at missing gears!

I think the bottom line is that Honda gearboxes are pretty bullet proof, clunky or not.
It may settle down if I give it a good thrashing over the next few thousand K's !!!!

,

**xwhatsit** · 22nd October 2008, 13:38

Originally Posted by Armitage Shanks

From memory my C50 steppy from 76 never had a problem, all 3 gears worked like a treat ........

My Super Cub shifts like a truck

Those automatic clutch things are hideous.

Pillioning on the back of a GiJoe's Hornet 900, you could feel the thunk when shifting gears from the pillion seat, heh. But then again, a (Yamaha) TRX850 was worse unless you were trying to hoof along a bit.