You are currently viewing our boards as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other special features. In addition, registered members also see less advertisements. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free, so please, join our community today!
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:16 pm Posts: 158 Location: jackson, mi
Well, I wanted to let folks know who have talked about "notchy" transmissions and other words to that effect, That I had early on what I also felt as a bad transmission or notchy, clunky shifting etc. I told you in an earlier post about the horrible noise it made when I found a "false neutral" between 5th and 6th. This horrible crunching noise happened on 3 different occasions, all with less than 1000 miles on the bike. I was very ticked off, and nervous that I had a lemon tranny. I now have approx. 1600 miles on my bike, and am happy to report that the shifting gets better and better with each passing mile. It really seemed to smooth out after about the 1200 mile mark. It makes less and less of the "clunky" sound, and I guess she's finally broken in to a good place. Never found the false neutral since. Maybe it was the way my foot lifted the shifter. I now put more of my foot inboard to shift, instead of just catching the outer left edge of the lever. I just wanted to tell my deal in case other guys had, or are having a similar experience. She gets better and better, so hang tough if your trans seems "notchy or clunky". I changed the oil 3 times alraedy since I felt weird about the trans, but now I'll change the oil at regular schedule.
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 2:09 am Posts: 7 Location: Dexter, Mi
Glad to hear your shifting has improved. Unfortunately mine is still acting up when shifting from 1st to 2nd. It shifts great as long as you shift to 2nd before 15 mph. I have about 1450 miles on it. Also down shifting 2nd to 1st is pretty bad if speed is greater than 1o mph. I really like the bike, but the trans issues are making me second quess my purchase.
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2009 12:11 pm Posts: 141 Location: Foothills of N.C.
jimsuzuki73 wrote:
Well, I wanted to let folks know who have talked about "notchy" transmissions and other words to that effect, That I had early on what I also felt as a bad transmission or notchy, clunky shifting etc. I told you in an earlier post about the horrible noise it made when I found a "false neutral" between 5th and 6th. This horrible crunching noise happened on 3 different occasions, all with less than 1000 miles on the bike. I was very ticked off, and nervous that I had a lemon tranny. I now have approx. 1600 miles on my bike, and am happy to report that the shifting gets better and better with each passing mile. It really seemed to smooth out after about the 1200 mile mark. It makes less and less of the "clunky" sound, and I guess she's finally broken in to a good place. Never found the false neutral since. Maybe it was the way my foot lifted the shifter. I now put more of my foot inboard to shift, instead of just catching the outer left edge of the lever. I just wanted to tell my deal in case other guys had, or are having a similar experience. She gets better and better, so hang tough if your trans seems "notchy or clunky". I changed the oil 3 times alraedy since I felt weird about the trans, but now I'll change the oil at regular schedule.
The 650F is a great machine!!!!!!!
I have a sneaking suspicion that some of this clunkiness we hear about may have something to do with the chain being a little too loose. Mine is smoother since I adjusted mine a little tighter.
Joined: Sun May 17, 2009 4:32 pm Posts: 19 Location: Montreal, Quebec Canada
Hello, Glad to read that, I had the very same issue when shifting from 5th to 6th, happened twice. I was sure there would be broken shift dogs but when I went for the first oil change I asked the mechanic to check carefully for metal parts on the drain plug and he said there wasn't any ( I have to believe him ). I switched to Motul 5100 , don't know if that helped ( semi-synthetic oil ). Like you, I now pay more attention to my shifting and I am planning to get a pair of motorcycle boots, my shifter is already adjusted at it's lowest setting so this was a linkage adjustment issue. I hope it gets better around the 1,500 miles mark, it looks like it's improving... I've owned a lot of motorcyles in my life and this is the first bike that make me miss a shift from 5th to 6th. I keep my fingers crossed because I love this bike!
Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:16 pm Posts: 83 Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Same think I was experiencing.. the noise left you with the feeling there was some major damage. It no longer occurs (close to 5000 km). But the odd time, I will feel that it takes a second for the 6th gear to engage and and I keep pressure on the shifter, a fraction longer - no problem.
Joined: Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:11 am Posts: 161 Location: Augusta GA (USA)
I've had weird things happen between 5th and 6th too. And I've had times when things were smooth, and also clunky. I've over 2000 miles, and shifting is smooth again for now. Shifting seems smoother if I only pull in the clutch a tiny bit when shifting, instead of all the way.
_________________ Farkles: 16T Front Sprocket; 12v Marine Grade Accessory Outlet; Freeway Blaster Horn; Grip Puppies; Cramp Buster; Kisan Tailblazer Flashing Brake Light; Sylvania Silverstar Ultra Head Lights; Outlaw Bar Risers; Road Pilot 2 Tires; Alaska Leather Sheepskin Butt Pad; RAM Mount for Garmin Legend HCx GPSr; Givi V35 Side Cases, Givi V46 Top Case, Flush Mount Front Turn Signals, LED Signal Mirrors
Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:58 am Posts: 747 Location: West Oz. SOR
That because if you only pull the clutch lever in a small amount you are more than likely doing a clutchless shift as the amount the clutch is working will be minimal if not nothing at all.
This bike will shift much smoother when doing a clutchless shift.
DO NOT do clutchless shift between 1 and 2 as this WILL cause damage if you cock it up. I suggest not clutchless shifting down gears either as it puts a lot of strain on the driveline when compareing to clutched down shifts
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:50 am Posts: 745 Location: Carencro, La USA
dhula wrote:
That because if you only pull the clutch lever in a small amount you are more than likely doing a clutchless shift as the amount the clutch is working will be minimal if not nothing at all.
This bike will shift much smoother when doing a clutchless shift.
DO NOT do clutchless shift between 1 and 2 as this WILL cause damage if you cock it up. I suggest not clutchless shifting down gears either as it puts a lot of strain on the driveline when compareing to clutched down shifts
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:16 pm Posts: 158 Location: jackson, mi
You guys are too cool!!!
Yes on clutchless shifting for 3rd thru 6th. NEVER CLUTCHLESS 1ST TO 2ND. This bike makes absolutely no noise when clutchless shifting 3rd thru 6th. I make sure I roll off the throttle and give a solid lift up, and it is really nice. I think part of the problem is all the weird linkage on the design of this lever. Most bikes have the lever right to the splined shaft. This bikes design goes thru too many mechanical linkages which I think messes up the dynamics, and therefore you have to always make sure you solidly lift up to get the next gear because all the linkage points you have to get through.
Anyway, it IS an awesome bike, and the shifter linkage is my only real complaint on the 650F.
hAPPY Shifting folks. (Try the clutchless in 3rd thru 6th (upshifting only, not down shifting clutchless).
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 1:16 pm Posts: 158 Location: jackson, mi
No strain on trans that I ever heard of. You should roll off the gas however when doing it for the smooth upshift. I don't always shift without clutch, just sometimes when I feel shifting faster when I want to blow somebody's doors off!!! I'm not an expert by any means, but it won't hurt your bike if you do it right. OFcourse, this is only my 2 cents worth.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
