lukaspriest
New member
I'm hoping I can unload my fears on you all! First off, I gotta say shame on me for not doing sufficient research on this model prior to purchasing it and properly learning about the tranny woes of the 94-96 years, though it sounds like there are people who have done tons of miles with no issues. Live and learn!
So, I've been able to put a few hundred miles on this bike, and I think it is just amazing. It plasters the biggest smile on my face every time I roll on the throttle. Its power, speed, and handling are just sublime. I am SO happy with this bike......
.......except, I am worried that it may have something going on with the transmission. But here's the thing - I don't know whether it's "just how these bikes are" or if it's a sign of something bad going on. I'm hoping you fine folks can help me figure that out.
What I'm experiencing
I'm able to shift through all the gears no problem, and I don't seem to have any issues finding neutral or keeping the bike in gear. The thing that is worming its way into my paranoid head is how this bike shifts from 2nd to 3rd. All the other gears feel pretty smooth and happy. But when I up-shift into 3rd, it just doesn't feel smooth. How do I describe it? I've seen the term "notchy" or maybe I could call it a bit crunchy, but that seems perhaps overly dramatic......I feel like I get unnatural feedback in the shift pedal when I shift it up to 3rd, and I don't sense that with any of the other gears. I only notice it when I up-shift; going down to 2nd is no problem, and shifting from 4th to 3rd is no problem. Here's what's driving me crazy - sometimes it feels smooth and easy, and other times I feel that feedback through my boot when I'm shifting it up. Since I began to worry about this, I read other posts about "pre-loading" and it's a skill that I've been working to build. I will say that when I preload successfully, it seems to shift no problem at all. But if I do a "conventional" shift at higher RPM's (roll off throttle, pull in clutch lever completely, shift up), then it's likely to give me that not-so-nice sensation.
Am I being overly paranoid? Do these bikes just have a finicky transmission that has to be lovingly and artfully shifted - and I just need to up my skill level? Or is what I'm experiencing a sign of serious trouble? I was planning to do some investment in this bike (SS brakelines, a new HES, and some other things), but if this sounds like hallmark transmission failure in progress, that will make me reevaluate things. Ultimately, I just want a bike that I can do some serious long distance touring on.
As I said in my other post, I have an appointment with Mitch this week, so I'll seek his knowledge about it and see what he ultimately says, but I would love to hear what you all think in the meantime.
Thank you in advance!
So, I've been able to put a few hundred miles on this bike, and I think it is just amazing. It plasters the biggest smile on my face every time I roll on the throttle. Its power, speed, and handling are just sublime. I am SO happy with this bike......
.......except, I am worried that it may have something going on with the transmission. But here's the thing - I don't know whether it's "just how these bikes are" or if it's a sign of something bad going on. I'm hoping you fine folks can help me figure that out.
What I'm experiencing
I'm able to shift through all the gears no problem, and I don't seem to have any issues finding neutral or keeping the bike in gear. The thing that is worming its way into my paranoid head is how this bike shifts from 2nd to 3rd. All the other gears feel pretty smooth and happy. But when I up-shift into 3rd, it just doesn't feel smooth. How do I describe it? I've seen the term "notchy" or maybe I could call it a bit crunchy, but that seems perhaps overly dramatic......I feel like I get unnatural feedback in the shift pedal when I shift it up to 3rd, and I don't sense that with any of the other gears. I only notice it when I up-shift; going down to 2nd is no problem, and shifting from 4th to 3rd is no problem. Here's what's driving me crazy - sometimes it feels smooth and easy, and other times I feel that feedback through my boot when I'm shifting it up. Since I began to worry about this, I read other posts about "pre-loading" and it's a skill that I've been working to build. I will say that when I preload successfully, it seems to shift no problem at all. But if I do a "conventional" shift at higher RPM's (roll off throttle, pull in clutch lever completely, shift up), then it's likely to give me that not-so-nice sensation.
Am I being overly paranoid? Do these bikes just have a finicky transmission that has to be lovingly and artfully shifted - and I just need to up my skill level? Or is what I'm experiencing a sign of serious trouble? I was planning to do some investment in this bike (SS brakelines, a new HES, and some other things), but if this sounds like hallmark transmission failure in progress, that will make me reevaluate things. Ultimately, I just want a bike that I can do some serious long distance touring on.
As I said in my other post, I have an appointment with Mitch this week, so I'll seek his knowledge about it and see what he ultimately says, but I would love to hear what you all think in the meantime.
Thank you in advance!