Help with my gear changing

hornett

hornett

hornett

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Joined
3 Jan 2005
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963
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Bridgend
Being a new rider my gear changing sucked, so been working to try and get it smooth. I watched this guy : http://www.youtube.com/user/RoadcraftNottingham#p/u/1/MIhycth8msU

And it helped, but recently I have been having an issue changing from 4th to 5th where it jumps out of gear after I have release the clutch and accelerating. Kind of scary for a noobie, having it drop to nothing and screaming

I have 2 theories. I am not clicking it into gear enough, or I am leaving my foot up to much and its dropping back out "clutchless" changing

I have a CBF125

Any ideas or pointer
 
Been having a similar issue with my new (to me) Speed Triple.

Clutchless shifting from 4-5 sometimes jumps out of gear. Which is quite scary when rapidly accelerating, regardless of how much experience you have :p

So I've gone back to using the clutch. Haven't had a problem since then.

I was reading somewhere though that chain tension can effect gear changing. I don't know how true that is :)
 
Well I am using the clutch for all changes.

I'm thinking its me as most times it smooth, just every now and then its almost as if its not full engaged and drops out.

Going to make sure I'm really clicking up with my foot on the way home tonight.
 
It used to happen to me the odd time on my GSX-R750 too.

Never had the issue on my ER-6f though. Gear box felt much more solid on that anyway tbh.

The Suzuki felt really loose. And the Speed Triple feels tighter, but not as solid as the ER-6f.

The forum I was reading yesterday suggested that having the chain too tight can make gear changes harder. But like I said, dunno if that's true or not :)
 
I am afraid you will just have to get used to it mate, my bike does it in the same range if I am shifting through the gears quickly. I now know subconciously that I really have to give the shifter a decent kick through the said range.

However, I have custom rear sets, which allow for a lot of adjusting, so I adjusted my shifter to make the smallest movement for a gear change, something like 1/2 cm to kick up or down. Making shifting much smoother and quicker.

If it really bothers you that much, then invest in custom rear sets.
 
Its more scary than anything else. 125 is not much of a speed freak to start so the sudden lose of power is not nice.

Think I will just try and be as positive as I can as its only got to keep me until the money starts to roll in then I will be doing my DAS and getting a big boy bike
 
What about the position of the gear lever ? You can undo the bolt then move it round a few teeth on the spline to get a better position.
 
4T5 said:
What about the position of the gear lever ? You can undo the bolt then move it round a few teeth on the spline to get a better position.
Click to expand...

It does feel high, I have quite "thick" boots and I have to really lift my foot to change gear. Might be a project for the weekend.

The bike is my main commuter so having it run nice is really important to me.
 
If they changed the oil a mere 200 miles ago, it's very possible that after that run in, the oil has now moved around the engine and the level has dropped, so might need a top up. 9 times out of 10 they will get the oil a little higher than the mark, but they won't properly run the bike allowing the oil to move around.
 
i have only been riding a geared bike for 4 days and i have problems with shifting down i never know when too (obviusly when the rpms get low) but half the time when i change down the rpms go to like 6000 rpm and the back goes up and i think i am going to be catapulted off the bike dont know what i am doing wrong
 
Might be getting a false neutral? Neutrals can be engaged sometimes between other gears not just 1st and 2nd. Happens a fair bit on my bike. However I moved the position of my gear lever so I pull the lever up properly when changing which has got rid of the problem, plus just take a bit of extra time making the gear change, no need to rush really.
 
hornett said:
Might be a project for the weekend.
Click to expand...
Your project for the weekend should be Check adjust & oil your chain, Warm up the engine/box properly then check the oil level & re position the gear lever to suit you & your boots.

Bikes aren't like cars, If a car goes wrong you roll to a stop where as on a bike you'll get thrown off & anything can happen. Because of this Never rely on Anybody else to do your maintenance. If you have the bike in a shop for a repair or owt then check the bike yourself Before riding it. Things work loose on bikes quite rapidly so get in the habit of going around your bike & tweaking/tightening it all up.
Other than that, Happy biking. :cool:
 
zhomesickx said:
i have only been riding a geared bike for 4 days and i have problems with shifting down i never know when too (obviusly when the rpms get low) but half the time when i change down the rpms go to like 6000 rpm and the back goes up and i think i am going to be catapulted off the bike dont know what i am doing wrong
Click to expand...

What bike? What's the redline?
 
zhomesickx said:
i have only been riding a geared bike for 4 days and i have problems with shifting down i never know when too (obviusly when the rpms get low) but half the time when i change down the rpms go to like 6000 rpm and the back goes up and i think i am going to be catapulted off the bike dont know what i am doing wrong
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are changing down to early to me mate. Try a lower gear & a little bit of clutch work to keep the revs up & it should make for smoother down shifts.
 
zhomesickx said:
i have only been riding a geared bike for 4 days and i have problems with shifting down i never know when too (obviusly when the rpms get low) but half the time when i change down the rpms go to like 6000 rpm and the back goes up and i think i am going to be catapulted off the bike dont know what i am doing wrong
Click to expand...

I am ok going down, I usually come off the power and shift down 1 at a time as the speed drops letting the engine do the breaking. Sounds like you are down shifting to soon.

I usually don't downshift to first if I can help it, unless I am almost coming to a stop. Then I like to give it a few taps to make sure its defiantly in first :)
 
hornett said:
It does feel high, I have quite "thick" boots and I have to really lift my foot to change gear. Might be a project for the weekend.
Click to expand...

This is a problem on some bikes if you have large feet, because the end of the gearlever isn't anywhere near the end of your boot. Not a lot you can do to adjust this out, but tweaking the position may help a little.

Chain tension can have a big effect on shift quality, it's especially bad with a very slack chain.

Also make sure you clutch is adjusted properly - if it's dragging then it will be harder to change gear.
 
As already said adjust your gear lever so it is easier to engage gear, some people have them in a horrible position and you almost have to move your whole leg to change gear rather than a gentle click up, and yes gear tension affects it too, so make sure its not too slack or tight.

I am really surprised your 750 wasn't not smooth MADMAN69UK, Suzuki are renowned for having the smoothest gearboxes in the business, and personally triumph being one of the worst imo :p I have to stamp to change down on the triple sometimes and that's with plenty of adjustements / new rearsets to try and make it better.
 
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