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It would be more appropriate to start a thread about why BMWs do not "clunk" in the other gears.
It was my understanding that the upper gears were synchromesh but first was not.
That's nonsense (your dealer's comment, not your post). The gears are constant mesh, straight cut except 5th, which is helical (15 or 17 degree angle IIRC, depending on year). Straight-cut or helical constant mesh gears don't change the dynamics in the tranny. The significant change in output shaft speed and input shaft speed associated with the 2-1 shift results in heavy parts accelerating/decelerating greatly, and the gear engagement dogs taking some big hits from their mating recesses as they try to engage the 1st gear gears with relatively high speed differences -- and a clunk is born. That's why waiting to downshift until you're at low speed helps -- leas speed difference between the shafts and the gears to be locked to the shafts.My 06 Gold Wing had a very loud clunk when downshifting. I asked the Honda dealer about it and he said they all do it and it is because the gears are "straight cut". Maybe this is the same on the RT?
Actually - calling them "synchromesh" isn't totally accurate - all are "constant mesh" - meaning the gear pairs are always engaged with their mate.It was my understanding that the upper gears were synchromesh but first was not.