too cold to go into gear??

red_alert · 05-01-2008, 05:52 AM

Hi,

not sure if its just my bike or is it the same with everyone. my 99 r1100s is very difficult to go into 1st gear or anyother gear when it just fired up, need to warm it up abit before i can get it into gear.

anyone same??

Thanks

signit98 · 05-01-2008, 06:02 AM

+1

I usually roll it forward a little... that helps for my bike...

klennop · 05-01-2008, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signit98

+1

I usually roll it forward a little... that helps for my bike...

I do the exact same thing, mine is an 04.

Kiriath · 05-01-2008, 06:35 AM

same here, roll it 15cms forward and it goes down into first.

Leth · 05-01-2008, 06:37 AM

Yea happens on mine as well. Roll forward a hair and I have also found letting up on the clutch just a tad (not in the engagement point) but its enough to put into first.

red_alert · 05-01-2008, 06:56 AM

hmmm.... guess it happens to all 'ass'es. how abt the G'ass'es and the Rts? anyone heard of?

AZ-Twin · 05-01-2008, 07:25 AM

Same Deal on the R12S, she no shift so good when cold.

signit98 · 05-01-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ-Twin

Same Deal on the R12S, she no shift so good when cold.

...my solution was to move to a place where it seldomly gets cold!

R69S · R69S's Garage

I live in SoCal and have the same issue. Before I leave for work in the morning, I have to pick up the RPM's before it will go into first.

John Lyon · 05-01-2008, 10:27 AM

I just push and hold the shifter lever down while slowly letting out the clutch. Once I feel it "clunk" into gear, I pull the clutch back in until I'm ready to go.

Actually, since riding the BMW I adjusted my shift technique so I push and hold all my shifts until I feel it clunk into the next gear. Its second nature once you develop the habit.

Leth · 05-01-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Lyon

I just push and hold the shifter lever down while slowly letting out the clutch. Once I feel it "clunk" into gear, I pull the clutch back in until I'm ready to go.

Actually, since riding the BMW I adjusted my shift technique so I push and hold all my shifts until I feel it clunk into the next gear. Its second nature once you develop the habit.

A much better description of what I was trying to convey as the easiest method.

Sideshow_S · 05-01-2008, 03:40 PM

Are you even pulling the clutch in?

I've ridden my bike in sub-zero weather without this problem. Starting it is tough, but not shifting. If you're talking about the synchros against the slop, then I can get that any time. Have you guys ever had the bike apart to find out the rigid connection between the rear wheel up to the driveshaft? All of that rolling that you can do in gear with the bike turned off is tranny slop! If you translate that travel length to the diameters of the transmission gears, it's pretty amazing. Well, to me it is.

jclark · jclark's Garage

Redline Shockproof Heavy will mitigate much of these comments, as much as lotsa mileage ( that loosens it up ).

jeff

JimMoore · 05-03-2008, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Lyon

I just push and hold the shifter lever down while slowly letting out the clutch.

Yep. It is always surprising to me that people don't know this little trick.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

i've always figured that was because sometimes it needed a little nudge, like the horse that doesn't want to get his day started.
the hold-shifter-load-tranny-with-clutch routine has never failed to prompt mine into giddy-up mode.

R69S · R69S's Garage

Tried holding the shifter down while letting the clutch out and it's a good technique. I have only had the bike for about a month and I am still getting acquainted.

We can lane split here in Cali. Sitting at a red light, in between lanes is not the place for false first.

Moybin · 05-03-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jclark

Redline Shockproof Heavy will mitigate much of these comments, as much as lotsa mileage ( that loosens it up ).

jeff

Got 89K miles on my '99 S and it still does this. With Mobil Synthetic industrial gearbox oil inside. Even had the case apart about 5 years ago and replaced the input shaft and bearings.

Next time I drain and fill the box I'm going to mix a 'cocktail' with about a pint of Dexron ATF added just for this problem.

The gearbox oil does NOT lube the bearings; these are all sealed. The gearbox oil is for lubrication of the gears themselves, and acts as a coolant.

John Lyon · 05-03-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimMoore

Yep. It is always surprising to me that people don't know this little trick.

I learned it from my DKW.