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Steph

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I bought a 1200GS in May this year and covered 4000 KM since. My previous bike was a F650GS. I never had any problems with gears. At first I thought it could be my riding style, but met three other GSérs with the same complaint. I looked through the Treads on the forum but could not find any previous reporting of the same.
PROBLEM:
When changing gears, normally from 3rd up, 4th up and 5th up, the gearbox find a false Neutral gear and the rev's shoot up, because you expect the bike to powering of into the next gear and not revving. At first I felt embarrassed; because you feel like do don’t know how to handle your new bike. The next time it happened when I accelerated out of a left-hander and almost saw my A..sh.
The dealer plays ignorant and said you need to pull the gearlever properly, may be, but why did that never happen with my F650GS or the 100RS 1000RT, K1200S that I had.

Anybody that can share some expertise will be highly appreciated.
Steph
 
Are you preloading the shift lever? It's never happened to me on the GS, but it did happen a few times on the K12 when I first got it. Several people warned me against preloading, as this may have some affect on it. I stopped doing it and have not had any problems since (about 25,000 miles ago).
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Gear shifting Problem

Thanks for your reply Steve.
Sorry for my ignorance, but what is "Preloading of the Gearlever"? My Bike is still stock standard, so is the other bikes with the same problem. The occurrence is intermitted, so it normally happens at the most unexpected times.
Steph
 
Preloading is when you apply upward pressure (for an upshift) to the shift lever prior to engaging the clutch. I'm sure some of our more mechanically astute members can explain the technical side of what this actually does, and how it affects the shift, but some people do it to shorten the time it takes to change gears. If you're not racing, I think the advantage gained is pretty questionable.

When I spent a few days at the Keith Code School a few years ago, they had advised against doing it as it tended to put too much wear on the (insert technical term here), and had a tendency to cause missed shifts. If you are inadvertantly applying the pressure, this may explain why it is only an intermittent problem.

Sorry for the lack of technical details in my response, I'm more of a rider than a fixer.
 
Are you preloading the shift lever? It's never happened to me on the GS, but it did happen a few times on the K12 when I first got it. Several people warned me against preloading, as this may have some affect on it. I stopped doing it and have not had any problems since (about 25,000 miles ago).
I think the effect would be minimal, so long as you only apply mild pressure to the shifter. No need to press hard up on the lever before engaging the clutch...
 
Before the GS I rode an airhead for 33K miles. With airheads, preloading is the very best way to get a smooth shift. It was pretty hard to get out of the habit with the GS, and then learn its' preferred shifting-technique on top of that...but after 1K, I think I've about got it. The GS definitely does NOT like preloading.
 
false neutrals

I've had the occaisional false neutral on my GS, but no more than on the Ducati, so I've just blamed me. The shift lever is rather short on the GS compared to other bikes, maybe that has something to do with it. I think there is an extension available, perhaps that would help?

Eric
 
I don't have the false-neutrals- in fact, I have the opposite problem- it's taken a bit of attentive learning to get to where I can select the real-neutral on this bike, rather than just going past it. Seems to require a pretty subtle touch, but I think I've got it now. :)
 
Before the GS I rode an airhead for 33K miles. With airheads, preloading is the very best way to get a smooth shift. It was pretty hard to get out of the habit with the GS, and then learn its' preferred shifting-technique on top of that...but after 1K, I think I've about got it. The GS definitely does NOT like preloading.
Preloading or not, the bike likes a rider who shifts with confidence. Pull in the clutch and move from gear to gear in a deliberate action. Keep in mind that deliberate doesn't mean a rough transition. Soft touch, wet clutch rider's coming from J bikes often find false neutrals or "resistant" shifting.
This is a dry clutch, and you need to ride it accordingly.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Gear Problem

Well, I definitely do not preload; I had only one J bike 24 years ago, ever sins that only had BM's of which, one RS, one RT and 2 GS's. The false neutral only occur when the bike is cold. May be it has something to do with the selector. I am not a mechanical guru so that’s speculation. I believe it is not my riding style, although it will be good news, than at least I know it would not cost any money to fix. It changes very smooth, even without a clutch. I did the bad thing to start changing without a clutch and it happens even than as well. May be it is just something that I have to live with.
Steph
 
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