Problems shifting into 1st gear

[Pete7874]

Every now and then (about every 3rd or 4th time I do it), the transmission will not want to go into 1st gear. Say I'm coming to a stop and I'm downshifting from a higher gear (like 3rd or 4th or 5th) and keep pressing the gear level down, it will get stuck at 2nd and not wanting to go into 1st. What I usually do at this point is give it some gas and let off the clutch a little to get the bike moving a bit. Once that's done, then I'm able to hit the gear level again and it'll finally go into 1st.

Any suggestions on how to fix this? About 4400 miles on the bike right now.

Seems like the problem became more common after I drained some excess oil from the engine (it was overfilled), but I don't see how this could be related... Oil level is at the full mark right now.

[blaine]

Shifting into first is a common problem on the G.Z. Make sure oil is proper grade (10-40) and clean.In my experience changing to synthetic oil all but eliminates that problem.
http://www.postimage.org/templates/images/smiley/sporty/45.gif (http://www.postimage.org/)

[Pete7874]

Thanks. I'm planning to do an oil change soon since I don't know when was the last time the previous owner had it changed. I'm just waiting for the filters to come in.

[Easy Rider]

What I usually do at this point is give it some gas and let off the clutch a little to get the bike moving a bit.

Perfectly normal IF.....you come to a complete stop before you go into first; it is actually stuck in neutral (if it really IS stuck in 2nd, you could have a whole different problem).

No need to rev. the engine, just let the clutch out a bit and push the shifter again. Sometimes just releasing the pressure on the shifter and then pushing again will do the trick.

Ultimate solution: Shift into 1st BEFORE coming to a complete stop; crawling speed is about right, or in the last couple of seconds before you actually stop.

[Pete7874]

Thanks. I'll try that. I'm still getting a hang of riding. The riding school taught us to not touch the clutch until just before you come to a stop since that helps you brake, but if you do that, then you don't have much time to shift from 5th to 1st before the bike stops completely. I guess I have to practice getting on the clutch pedal sooner and downshifting sooner.

[alantf]

I guess I have to practice getting on the clutch pedal sooner

Wow ....... strange bike :biggrin: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[dentheman]

To the left of the gas pedal. :roll:

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks. I'll try that. I'm still getting a hang of riding. The riding school taught us to not touch the clutch until just before you come to a stop since that helps you brake, but if you do that, then you don't have much time to shift from 5th to 1st before the bike stops completely. I guess I have to practice getting on the clutch pedal sooner and downshifting sooner.
WTF........Did the school not teach you to gear down so that the bike would be in a better gear if you need to get outta Dodge. When coming to a stop always gear down to match engine speed/gears to match the bike speed. This will give you better engine braking, a more powerful gear if needed and you are only one click away from 1st gear as you roll the last few feet to a stop. Most transmissions in my experience will shift well going into 1st gear while the wheels are still turning a bit.
Just practice this and eventually you will notice all your shifting will improve and you will shift smoother in the process.

[Water Warrior 2]

Give the guy a break. Even I knew he meant the gear thingy.

[Pete7874]

LOL... you can tell that I'm used to driving manual cars, but not bikes. :)

In school, we never used anything higher than 2nd gear, so 1st was always just one click away.

And I'm just too used to driving cars where I can shift directly from 5th to 1st after I stop. Old habits die hard.

[dentheman]

HA HA I was going to correct him, buy now I CAN'T REMEBER WHAT IT IS CALLED. OH, lever.

[Water Warrior 2]

LOL... you can tell that I'm used to driving manual cars, but not bikes. :)

In school, we never used anything higher than 2nd gear, so 1st was always just one click away.

And I'm just too used to driving cars where I can shift directly from 5th to 1st after I stop. Old habits die hard.

Do hate to sound like a recording but learn to match your gears/speed even in a cage when coming to a stop...now back to your regular programing.
.

[Easy Rider]

I guess I have to practice getting on the clutch pedal sooner and downshifting sooner.

By all means, you need to match the gear you are in to the speed you are going; same as shifting up to get going ..........only in reverse, coming back down.

[ncff07]

They do teach you to gradually shift to a lower gear while slowing down in the BRC classes. Ive still got the MSF book in a pdf file and pulled it up so get what it said exactly which is this:

"Shifting to a lower gear: This is done to match the engine speed with road speed or to have more power to accelerate. Be sure the motorcycle's speed is low enough for the next lower gear so as not to overrev the engine."

[alantf]

To the left of the gas pedal. :roll:

Nope - that's the brake on an automatic. It's to the left of the brake in a manual. :twisted: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

[Water Warrior 2]

To the left of the gas pedal. :roll:

Nope - that's the brake on an automatic. It's to the left of the brake in a manual. :twisted: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

dentheman has an automatic mind. I am sure many of our members have only driven auto cages and a clutch and gear changing on a bike is really a steep learning curve. Thankfully the vast majority of us survive the learning curve.