I have a brand new GS500 (less than 1000 km on the clock), and I have encountered issues with downshifting when stopped at a light.
When I repeatedly press down on the shifter (click, click, click) with the clutch engaged, occasionally it will not shift all the way down to 1 (I've had it stick in 3rd on at least two occasions). To get the bike to shift down further, I have to release the clutch slightly to allow the clutch to partially engage, pull it back in and then it will let me shift back down. (Yes, I am letting the shift lever return to the top between shifts).
The dealership tells me that this is "NORMAL", and that since it's a new transmission I should expect it to stick on occasion. They tell me that once the bike has worn in that I will not encounter this problem - but to expect it on the new bike. (Is this normal?)
Has anyone else here experienced this?
Shift down while still moving - the easy way to avoid this "problem". I really only had it the first day out, when I had not gotten old, good, habits back in shape. It does not go away with time, as far as I can tell. If my title is to be believed, there's 121,000 miles on mine.
Check your oil level (correctly) - that can affect shifting behavior. But the nature of the beast is it shifts better when it's still moving.
Yes, in an ideal world you end up in 1st when you stop. However, if it's still doing it I would consider it to be a major safety issue. Consider a panic stop situation where you pull in your clutch - and just downshift without releasing it to put yourself in good shape for an emergency start if necessary. If the transmission sticks and does not shift all the way down, you could be in a world of trouble.
If you shift while still moving, it shifts, no need to fuss with the clutch - that's what I do.
If you stop, and then shift, you may need to fuss with the clutch.
This "problem" is something that has happened to a greater or lesser extent on every bike I've owned in the last 35 years, and is normal. It is unlikely to change much with wear, but it may a little. A car gearbox works differently, and you can always change straight to first anyway. The bike gearbox needs some relative motion between the shafts so that the dogs can engage and when you have stopped it often hangs up. You need to get in the habit of changing down through the gears as you slow down, and it is also easier to find neutral if you do it as you're still rolling. If it gets stuck again you need to push the bike to and fro to turn the output shaft, while you hold pressure down on the gearlever.
Try downshifting more.
What you're experiencing is perfectly normal. You must downshift as you come to a stop, this is true of all sequential shift motorcycle transmissions.
The transmission uses sliding clutch dogs to engage the various gears. If the shafts have come to a complete stop out of alignment, the dogs won't engage the lower gear. By spinning the shafts up by releasing the clutch slightly, you allow for alignment to occur.
When you practice emergency stops, as you're braking, tap your shifter down 6 times. That way, you'll always be in first.
I make it a habit of tapping my shifter once before coming to a regular stop to ensure I'm in first. I usually downshift to second and tap first as I come to a complete halt.
Sounds like situation normal for any bike. Another option if you find yourself at the lights and couldn't get down to first in time - just roll the bike back or forwards an inch or two whilst you're trying to shift down - works fine. Same thing if you parked in first and want to pop it into neutral to start (eg on a very cold morning)
I have had this same problem too so I'm glad you made this thread. I had to take off from third the other day and it wasn't pretty. Lately, I have been downshifting while moving but I am always afraid of going into 1st too early because it makes that terrible "clanking" sound. i guess I just have to wait until I am almost stopped for 1st.
I agree that this is just the way the transmission works, every bike I have ridden in the last 25 years behaves this way to some degree. Downshifting is a necessary part of slowing down. People that drive manual transmission cars should have less problem with this concept.
If you make it a habit and the time comes when you need to do a panic stop, downshifting will contribute to your ability to slow down quickly. You will then be prepared to take evasive action if necessary, being in a lower gear will allow you to get the bike moving quickly, if needed.
When your bike is parked and turned off, try shifting all the way up to 6th. You can't do it. that's basically what you're trying to do by coming to a stop and then shifting all the way down. If you come to a stop while still in second, you can go down to first with no difficulty. If you come to a stop in third, you can almost always drop down to first.
Two, maybe three gears is about the limit that you can change gears without fiddling with the clutch when the bike is running, or rolling a bit when the bike is off.
Like others have said, get into a habit of changing down gears whilst moving, it's much safer.
If you happen to be stuck in 3rd or whatever (maybe after an e-brake?) try rolling the bike back and forward gently while tapping down.
The GS transmission seems to shift better while rolling it backward. So if you do stop in a higher gear, just push backward and it will shift easier. And it does not get better when older. A nicely machined transmission will break in just a little, not quite enough to make a perceptible difference. The onlt thing it can do is to just break and die.
Cool.
Buddha.
One fact it seems everyone has missed is to check your clutch adjustment. I had this problem before and it was because the clutch was not fully disengaging when I tried to downshift while stopped... readjusted the clutch and it improved.
Of course, It is a better habit to downshift while still moving.
What type of clutch adjust do I need to do? I have an '08 and it looks like maintenance manuals are not yet available - I don't want to buy the older manuals because I have seen some comments that indicate that there are significant enough differences that you should just wait.
Short Video clip from Kerry's page:
http://www.bbburma.net/Videos/AdjustingTheClutchCable.wmv (http://www.bbburma.net/Videos/AdjustingTheClutchCable.wmv)
There are two other places to adjust the clutch cable, just to confuse you.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33384.0 (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=33384.0)
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20468.0 (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=20468.0)
Assuming your clutch is properly adjusted and your oil level is right, it's normal. As others above mentioned it's the dog's on the gears not lining up. If you use the clutch as you downshift while slowing down, the lower gears should pop in.
What you describe is the normal behavior expected in any bike. Of course, slight differences exist as to how 'positive' (easy) a shift mechanism feels, but the GS is not the worst around. As for incurring in safety problems, you are likely to have them only when a sudden unexpected stop is followed by a sudden need to take off, such as when spotting a traffic policeman and you being on the wrong side of the lane. Well, then do you best with the clutch. And hope for the law-guys show some understanding and turn the eyes away from you !....
As said above, the rule is: get as close to neutral as possible while coming to a stop, and then finding neutral at full stop. 1st always comes easy from neutral. Anything else, play a little with the clutch -smoothly.
We had this issue on a NEW 06 and as it was broken in, it became easier and easier to shift into 1st from a dead stop....Ar first I thought there was something wrong with it because it was nearly impossible to get it in.......If you cant get it in, just do the little roll and it will drop right in...Yes its much easier to do it while moving
Mine does that too. All bikes suffer from it to a greater or lesser extent. It does better with fresh oil in the crankcase, but like everyone says, the correct shifting technique is the best solution.