Trans Question?

[kay bill c]

As a fairly new owner of 07 R1200R the only thing I have a question about so far is at times while sitting at a red light if I put trans into neutral,sit and wait for light, then when the light change's to green it sometimes does not drop right into 1st.I must hit it hard sometimes more than once to get it to go into 1st again. It does not do this all the time maybe once out of eight times.Anybody else notice this or is it my big cruiser style boot's.I should mention I purchased this bike with 6500 miles on it from a dealer,it was there service loner.I have put about 300 miles on it so far.I have been riding 35yrs this my first BMW, boy this thing just put's a gleam in my eye every time i take it out.My wife startin to look at me funny when I come back from a ride .Any thought's Thanks Bill

[NoRRmad]

Do you pull in the clutch while you wait? Clutch in, the gears wind down and stop, making re-engagement difficult.

[ShinySideUp]

Hey Bill -

The R12R was my first BMW also and I was concerned about this behavior. Turns out it's normal and has to do with the dry clutch and separate engine and transmission, as I read by yet another "Bill" on a thread here. (Search terms: "neutral first")

Rather than just tromp it harder with your big boot, I think it may be more gentle to the steel parts inside to either 1) Slip the tranny into first as you are coming to a stop and just hold the clutch in until you're ready to go. Or 2) If it doesn't easily go into first while stopped in neutral, let the clutch out again momentarily to spin things in neutral and then slip it in right away. I use 1) if I'm at a stop sign or expect the light to change quickly and 2) if it's a long light or my clutch hand just needs a vacation.

Very rarely I've had to repeat 2) a second time, as it usually just engages first gear with a characteristic Teutonic clunk. Of course the ONLY time it doesn't go in the first time is when an impatient semi is sitting on my tail revving its diesel!

[NeilS]

That's a feature, to one degree or another, of most motorcycle transmissions. Once the internal parts stop moving, there's a chance the parts that are supposed to mesh won't line up. It's sort of like a car without a synchronized first gear.

It is not recommended to stomp on the shift lever if this happens. That will only bend the $hift fork$. Instead, release the clutch momentarily and then pull it back in. Press the shifter again and it should clunk right into gear.

Better yet, leave it in gear when you come up to the light. When you see that Ford Explorer coming up from behind, not seeing you, and planning to drive right through your space, you can't afford that extra half-second for the shift.

[kay bill c]

Hey guy's thanks for the info sounds like I just need some more one on one time with this bike.Of the time's it has happen working the clutch got it in no problems,but once when horns were blowing I did stomp,Glad I asked, won't do that no more.Thanks again for the info, Bill

[JGP]

Totally agree, parts stop turning when in neutral and clutch disengaged. But more importantly is NeilS reponse, why would you put into N, doesn't bode well for your evasive escape..........

jgp

[stilldking]

+1 on the "Leave it in First" comment!

See this link...

http://www.msgroup.org/Tip.aspx?Num=178

John C.

[JGP]

If the video doesn't convince you to leave the dam thing in gear, then maybe just maybe you should consider another activity...................
jgp

[kay bill c]

JGP,I doubt the video will convince me of anything,with 35 years of riding and over 300,000 miles spent on motorcycle's the one thing I truly love about this sport is, it's up to me.So if i decide to put it neutral or not while i'am flipping my sheild to talk to wife or freind I for sure will not be looking for another activity.The only thing your statement makes me think is have I chosen the wrong brand or board,I hope not I truly like this bike. Your's fellow motorcyclist,Bill

[famousperson]

Kay bill, we're all friends here. Welcome. Where are you in PA?

Peter

[Graf]

here is one for you guys......I have a brand new R12R....about 200mi....i went riding on twisties on the weekend and had to stop abruptly....i was in 4th gear when I stopped....I cound not get it go into 1st....clutch in....out....in again.....couple of times....no luck.....finally in the 4th try it went in....the interesting thing is that while i was trying to get it into 1st...the gear indicator display dissapeard from computer screen...no gear on N was displayed...it appeared again once i got it into 1st.....anybody heard of this happening????

[deilenberger]

here is one for you guys......I have a brand new R12R....about 200mi....i went riding on twisties on the weekend and had to stop abruptly....i was in 4th gear when I stopped....I cound not get it go into 1st....clutch in....out....in again.....couple of times....no luck.....finally in the 4th try it went in....the interesting thing is that while i was trying to get it into 1st...the gear indicator display dissapeard from computer screen...no gear on N was displayed...it appeared again once i got it into 1st.....anybody heard of this happening????

Graf..

There is a bit of technique to getting it into gear after stopping in an upper gear like you did. Chances are good that it sets stuck between gears and takes more than one try with the clutch. Sometimes, putting a bit of pressure on the shifter AS you pull in the clutch (pre-loading) will help a bunch.

Since the bike is new to you - I'd expect this to become easier with time, and just a suggestion - you might try this sitting in your driveway so you're not in semi-panic mode (someone behind you blowing their horn..) as you learn to do it.

And the R1200R will take off very easily in 2nd gear (I do it all the time, by accident, forgetting I'm in 2nd as I come up to a light..) if stopped on level pavement.

[Lost Rider]

here is one for you guys......I have a brand new R12R....about 200mi....i went riding on twisties on the weekend and had to stop abruptly....i was in 4th gear when I stopped....I cound not get it go into 1st....clutch in....out....in again.....couple of times....no luck.....finally in the 4th try it went in....the interesting thing is that while i was trying to get it into 1st...the gear indicator display dissapeard from computer screen...no gear on N was displayed...it appeared again once i got it into 1st.....anybody heard of this happening????

Happens all the time to me...

Like Don said in so many words, try feathering the clutch while applying a little pressure to the shifter. In some circumstances you might need to give it a little gas while doing this to get the gears spinning, and get them to mesh up. Same applies going in to first from neutral..

Personally, when coming to stop I kick it down into neutral and roll when coming to stop. Then it stays there until I see the light is going to change... most of the time when in traffic in the City I have a car in front of me so leaving it in gear to be able to avoid being rear ended doesn't apply, plus with city riding my hand would hurt from the thousands of clutch pulls a day if I just sat at lights holding it...

just a thought

[Graf]

hmmm.....i did everything you have described.....but i could not get it into ANY gear.....i would have been happy with 2nd at that time:-)....no semi behind....just an ackward spot.....I had to stop for a deer....that thing just frose in front of me

[JGP]

Kaybill

Hey sorry............My comments were not intended to offend you.

This site is terrific, a lot of very useful information on a myriad of topics.

Be safe.

jgp

[TAG-Caver]

If it's reluctant to go in gear at a stop(or in your case, shift down from a higher gear at a stop), roll the bike back or forth slightly while pulling in the clutch and applying normal pressure on the shifter. When mine is stubborn, usually when cold, this works fine.

Kevin

[Graf]

anybody cares to elaborate on why the gear indicator on the computer showed nothing?

[deilenberger]

anybody cares to elaborate on why the gear indicator on the computer showed nothing?

Because the transmission was between gears.. normal.

[kay bill c]

JGP, all is forgiven. As a new rider to the brand I was just seeking some of advice about a new bike to me.In my years of riding I don't know that I have had a bike with a dry clutch,mostly yamaha's and harley's maybe 1 honda and 1 kawee. The answer's about the dry clutch made sense, thanks guy's for the info. Peter you ask where in Pa. to be exact seven points,Pa. real close to to where the two branches of the susquehanna river meet. As I ride this bike and more questions arise I 'll be sure to visit. Bill

[hoonu]

Instead, release the clutch momentarily and then pull it back in. Press the shifter again and it should clunk right into gear.

Which is the time-honored technique of the "double-clutch," useful on any old Amurrican pickup truck...
DAMHIK.