I've got just under 5,000 miles on my Versys now and it runs like hell. I put new Dunlop Roadsmart Sport Touring tires on it at 4,500 miles. The stock back tire was shot but the front still had some tread on it. I put about 200 miles on it today mostly highway at 75 to 80 mph. My only gripe about the bike is the ruff shifting in 1st and 2nd gear. I've had Yamahas all my life and this is my first Kawasaki. It is by far the worst shifting motorcycle I've ever owned. In 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th no problem, but 1st and 2nd drive me nuts. Are all the Versys like this or just mine. I've adjusted the clutch play on the handlebars a couple of times now but it doesn't make any difference. The bike has been like this since I bought it. I'm use to smooth shifting motorcycles.

Its not just you...

http://forums.kawasakiversys.com/showthread.php?t=152&highlight=transmission


Its been discussed on other forums as well. Some say its a problem, some say no big deal. I agree with you, this tranny is notchy down low. Although I will admit its better now than when I first got it. Or I'm getting used to it...

I've gotten used to it, but I'm just lazy at remembering sometimes.

Mine feels good...only bike I had that was any better was a Speed Triple.

This is why I love forums.......I was being paranoid about the 1-2 notchyness as well. Thanks guys.

This is why I love forums.......I was being paranoid about the 1-2 notchyness as well. Thanks guys.

After a couple of oil changes (now using synthetic) mine seems to have smoothed out. But, when I'm sitting still and go from neutral to first, there's still a 'clunk'.

meh.

I have had to get use to paying attention that I have went from 1st to 2nd. Several times I have shifted up into nuetral, catching it, reving it, then into second almost throwing myself off the bike. I am sure that comedy has ensued on several occasions within the cages around me.

Mine has felt fine to me from mile 1. No complaints here. :thumb:

New member here. I don't own one yet, but it is in my future. Currently I own a Honda ST1100 and it too has had a problem with the "clunk" on shifting into first. I've heard one explanation that the oil friction between the clutch plates causes it. I've noticed that when I hold the clutch in for a longer period of time prior to shifting into first, that the problem was mostly eliminated.

Have you noticed that the clunking gets better once the clutch is held in longer?

Red

I've only noticed any trouble downshifting to first if you go from a sixth-gear speed to a stop without dropping through the gears as the bike decelerates. As the bike slows, if I notch down, even without using the clutch, I never have a problem.

On the other hand, if I don't downshift as the bike is decelerating, and wait for it to come to a complete stop in sixth or fifth gear, it is difficult to get back down into first without letting the clutch grab a bit between gears (or other tricks like rocking the bike forward and back, etc...).

I think the only reason I noticed this was when practicing emergency braking, otherwise it's not noticeable.

When I downshift without clutching each gear seems clunky. I wonder if a slipper clutch would make a difference or if they are actually worth the money. I am not too familiar with those. So I would definitely like some input.

I think the trick for downshifting is the bike has to be in motion (drive train). I think with the engine in motion the gearbox can move through the gears. I've had the same problem of downshifting sitting still missing gears. But if I downshift while in motion I don't have problems changing gears.

After putting up with the Rotax motor in my F650Cs and the rough transmission, this transmission seems fine on my bike. The F650Cs had a horrible clunk going into first and finding neutral was a hit or miss affair, sometimes I just gave up and turned the bike off instead.

My previous 1150Rt was a turd shifting from 1st to 2nd.... i'm use to it.....easy to find nuetral which i do like alot....had a prob with the RT

I get that clunck from N to 1st and 1st to 2nd sometimes as well. It is not really bad though, nothing I would worry about, and yes holding the clutch in for a bit longer seems to help with those transitions. The other things I've noticed are... if I just give it a little baby pop up going up from 1st then it will slip into neutral (even in motion). This is not so much an issue, because I know the bike and defenitly do know how much pressure I need to put on the shifter for that to happen. Lastly, Like previous posters had said, If I don't down shift coming into a stop... for example if I stop but am still in 6th gear, then it is tricky downshifting it again. Sometimes I have to let the clutch out a bit to catch... though not always.

a bit off topic but... shifting without clutching! I can run up and down all the gears this way on the V, however... what is this really for? I've heard a lot of riders speak of it, but is there any point to it? I mean I guess it would save the clutch a bit... but is this the only reasoning?:confused:

I just wish it would stay in 2nd no matter what once engaged. I had it pop out yet AGAIN yesterday, and this time I wasn't on the throttle hard and it happened after being in gear for several seconds and making it quite a ways in 2nd gear before popping into N. Weird. I admit, I probably didn't kick it up fully and or hard enough, but having owned several Yamahas, a Husky and ridden some Hondas I've never had any issues with their gear boxes. It's the one sore spot of the V. Not that it's THAT bad, but it could certainly be better. I find it easier to shift other bikes w/o the clutch compared to the V, but it's no big deal and I'm learning how to sync the revs just so with the throttle.

Kaw, BMW and Harley all need to take a lesson from Triumph on gearboxes!! My new Scrambler is very smooth!!!

I just wish it would stay in 2nd no matter what once engaged. I had it pop out yet AGAIN yesterday, and this time I wasn't on the throttle hard and it happened after being in gear for several seconds and making it quite a ways in 2nd gear before popping into N. Weird. I admit, I probably didn't kick it up fully and or hard enough, but having owned several Yamahas, a Husky and ridden some Hondas I've never had any issues with their gear boxes. It's the one sore spot of the V. Not that it's THAT bad, but it could certainly be better. I find it easier to shift other bikes w/o the clutch compared to the V, but it's no big deal and I'm learning how to sync the revs just so with the throttle.

It shouldn't do that and something is buggered up - make Kawasaki fix it.

It shouldn't do that and something is buggered up - make Kawasaki fix it.

I don't think so. I've got 1700 miles and it's only happened 4 or 5 times, but this time was strange. I think if you half get it in gear by not pushing up all the way or firm enough, the bike will go, but it could pop back into N if you ease off the throttle, or nudge the lever ever so slightly. I'm fairly certain that a firmer shift into 2nd would have fully engaged the gear and I would have been OK. 2nd gear seems to have a long throw. I'm comfortable with the linkage setup, but maybe playing with the adjustment will cure the issue for me.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Versys, we're just discussing some of the little things that could be better. IMHO Yamaha's gearbox is smoother, syncs better for clutchless shifting etc, but it's such a small almost non-issue. Once I got used to the Kawasaki tranny, it's been 99% smooth sailing.

Luke

This problem was mentioned somewhere(the nets so big) someplace, that this was due to the transmission design and the positive neutral used by Kawasaki.
See note: on top of pg.67 in the owners manual. The mechanism that makes it so easy and safe to find neutral is what makes the shift fell stiff. Whatever blocks out, second upshift from neutral when sanding still, has to move aside, that causes the harder or delayed feeling shifts from first to second compared to smooth almost effortless third thru sixth shifts.

The jumping out of second problem sounds like a trip to the dealer to me, that way if there is a problem it gets fixed, or in the event they dont fix it, and the trans fails completely, as in right out of warranty, the dealer and yourself have the prior complaint documented.

a bit off topic but... shifting without clutching! I can run up and down all the gears this way on the V, however... what is this really for? I've heard a lot of riders speak of it, but is there any point to it? I mean I guess it would save the clutch a bit... but is this the only reasoning?:confused:

Clutchless shifting is done alot on the track to save time. Track guys want power to the wheel all the time. For them even a fraction of a second lost on each shift adds up to a second or more per lap, and alot of lost time over the course of a race. For racers this is a big deal. Especially true if they're running superlight flywheels and racing clutch combos. Pulling in the clutch drops revs really fast on such a combo, and slows them down. Driving on the street you're best to use the clutch with the gearbox, just learn to do it well and you'll be fast and smooth.

I have a little 1k on mine and when I first got the bike it was "stiff" now its all smooth. I cant wait to go to synthetic it will be even smoother. I would have to say this is one of the best gear boxes that I have shifted. I have been on 4 other bikes.

I now have over 10.000 miles on my Versys and it still shifts ruff in 1st and 2nd especially. I bought the bike new and didn't take it for a test ride. If I had I'd of never bought it because I don't like the roughness when shifting. This is my first Kawasaki and last. I'll go back to Yamaha for my next bike. I want a bigger bike anyway for long distance touring.

Every Kawasaki that I owned has had the 1st-neutral-2nd problem shift. Just use a little more positive pressure (hold the shift lever up with your foot a little longer). '78 650SR, '89 ZX7, and now the 08 Versys. The other brands that I owned definatly felt better with their shifts, especially the Yamasaws (little joke).

funny thing about the Yamaha talk, I rode my friends 08 Yamaha FZ6 the other day because I liked how it looked and it had a somewhat straight up riding style and the first thing I noticed was how crappy it shifted. I told my friend I could never get used to the shifting on that bike, it just clunked into gear and felt really rough. I am waiting to buy a 09 Versys but I can't imagine the shifting being worse than that Yamaha. I have rode bikes since I was in the 4th grade, I am sure I will be able to work with the 1st and 2nd gear on the Versys.

My Yamaha WR426 did shift very smoothly... The Versys shifts well enough, especially with Amsoil synthetic. The transmission's shifting sound is remarkably loud though (CLICK!!), especially at city speeds. Makes me wonder if it can be heard by the spectators.

This problem was mentioned somewhere(the nets so big) someplace, that this was due to the transmission design and the positive neutral used by Kawasaki.
See note: on top of pg.67 in the owners manual. The mechanism that makes it so easy and safe to find neutral is what makes the shift fell stiff. Whatever blocks out, second upshift from neutral when sanding still, has to move aside, that causes the harder or delayed feeling shifts from first to second compared to smooth almost effortless third thru sixth shifts.

The jumping out of second problem sounds like a trip to the dealer to me, that way if there is a problem it gets fixed, or in the event they dont fix it, and the trans fails completely, as in right out of warranty, the dealer and yourself have the prior complaint documented.

Ditto to both the above points. I think I read about the general dislike for the positive neutral finder on webbikeworld.com in their review of the V, though they did say they really liked the gearbox in general. Mine seems to shift well. No better, no worse than other bikes I've owned and/or ridden.

When I downshift without clutching each gear seems clunky. I wonder if a slipper clutch would make a difference or if they are actually worth the money. I am not too familiar with those. So I would definitely like some input.

You can check this site for info re slipper clutch. The various tabs give great info and there is a fitment for the V (under ER-6 or you can search Kawasaki Versys) but it's not cheap. http://www.sigmaperformance.com

Let it rev up.....then shift fast with very little clutch...this seems to work best for me.

It's not all THAT bad. I've got over 3k miles now and either I've gotten used to the tranny or it's broken it. The clutch, that's another story (although it could just be the oil I'm running).

It's not all THAT bad. I've got over 3k miles now and either I've gotten used to the tranny or it's broken it. The clutch, that's another story (although it could just be the oil I'm running).


Yea, I think its a combo of getting used to it & being broken in. When I first started riding my Versys, the tranny really annoyed me. Its not so bad now, its still a bit notchy in the lower gears, but not near as bad as before.

:D

My previous bike was '93 Yamaha Seca II. I can tell you the Yamaha tranny's are a bit smoother, but I'll take Kawi's tranny any day. Yamaha tranny's are notorious for 2nd gear issues that leave you stranded on the side of the road. Also, if I shifted into neutral on my Seca in a parking lot or at a light, I had to roll the bike forward with the clutch out a few feet before it would shift back into 1st. I like the positive neutral finder on Kawi's, too. They are a bit louder and rougher, but don't give you near the trouble in my experience. (Bike before the Seca was an EX250.)

I've noticed that I have problems getting it to go into the next gear both upshifting and down. Not always - just enough to be annoying. If I continue to pull up (or push down) on the shift lever as I let out the clutch it pops in half-way through. It does seem to be getting better as time goes on. I've got 4K now so hopefully it will gradually fade. As Kudzu noted, it's especially bad when I'm taking off slowly and shift around 2500.

I've noticed that as well... Since torque is so good down low, I sometimes try to shift up in second at a speed too low to catch second gear on the first try when taking it easy. Neutral selection is easy when coasting down to stop, and I do like the clutch feel and shifting feedback. If I ever only downshift to second, it still launches from a stop without stalling, even with the 16T sprocket.

I have had 20+ bikes over the past 35 years, some with gear change on the right but most rcently on the left, some up for up but more recently up for down, from 4 speed to 6 speed 2 stroke and 4 stroke singles, twins triples and fours.

Most have had occasional gearbox 'issues' and most often it's going from 1st to 2nd via neutral and if you are faint hearted dropping back into neutral can occur. Worst of the bunch was a 78 Honda CX500 which also had a spare neutral between 4th and 5th, best by far was a 76 Yamaha RD400, my Suzuki DL100 was ok but did do the 2nd to neutral now and again.

I have found that either a very deliberate throttle off, clutch in gear shift, clutch out, throttle back on will always work or minimal clutch and throttle action and just kick the prick in

Shifting up without the clutch is easy and harmless and you feel like a hero. I don't know how Harleys or big Beemers respond to such treatment but on a sporty Japanese bike like the V you'll be fine.

You're really not supposed to shift down without the clutch. Even the GP guys don't, watch them as they come into a corner working the clutch and throttle to keep the revs matched.

Slipper clutches are not so you can shift without the clutch. They're so you can dump the clutch with the revs mismatched while leaned over without skidding the rear tire and highsiding. The Versys doesn't need it, really.

I should have prefixed that last post of mine with a 'when changing up' tag. However the RD400 would do clutchless up's and down's

Again, it's really not that bad anymore.....but both my Yamahas (one street 2 dirt) and my Husky are a lot better, smoother and much easy to shift w/o clutch. I think I always use the clutch with the V. I've adapted or the V has broken in. When it was new though it about through me over the tank a few times bumping into N hard on the throttle instead of 2. Never had this happen with any other bikes, but it hasn't been an issue the past 1500 miles or so, thank God....

The Kawasaki 'box uses a detented "neutral finder" as part of the shifter fork assembly to make neutral, well erm easy to find. The clunkyness 1st, 2nd is quite normal and is due to the above shifting through neutral for these two gears only. I've just come from owning a Harley Sportster and compared to that it's a dream - like comparing a Zenith camera with Nikon - lol.

Anybody have trouble ever getting the bike in neutral, or should i see the dealer? Sometimes i just can't seem to get it in neutral.. Thanks

This is how I've been shifting. Fast as you can, with little clutch.

I discovered after a few hundred miles, the faster you can just flick the clutch as you shift with barely backing of the throttle, the bike is silky smooth on shifts. I think it is almost a power shift, but with just a touch of clutch. Try it.

My V does it all the time, is really frustrating and dangerous in some cases, my KLR was perfect, never had a problem shifting, what I do with the V is to shift to 2nd gear at higher revs, the issue with the clunky gears is because of the lean low mixture ( I've read ) . A juice box or PC module can cure it.

Ive owned several Kawasaki's and never had a problem with the trans. I have only owned this bike for a week now and was hoping this was a break in issues and it would loosen up.

check the clutch cable play or adjustment
make certain its as per the manual

also check how your foot is operating the lever, if you don't fully release the lever after each operation there is a risk that subseqiuent actions may not work. there is adjustment available on the selector mechanism to make certain its right for your boot or riding position

I used to have some problems, which dissappered when the clucth cable was replaced.

+1 on the clutch adjustment.

Mine was a bit clunky until I adjusted my clutch cable.

If you have too much play, the clutch isn't releasing fully.
With the clutch partially engaged, you will have rough shifting and trouble finding neutral.

Mine shifts as good as most bikes I've owned, and better than most of them. (> 10)

I've always found that upshifts can be made smoother by preloading the shift lever before actually initiating the shift. Everything happens as one operation rather than clutch in/shift/clutch out.

A good deal of the notchiness appears to be caused by the stock fuel map. At smaller throttle openings there's a very abrupt on/off fuel situation that makes it difficult to control the throttle smoothly, and this then makes it hard to execute smooth shifts. Since I installed the PC-V and Autotune, this has completely gone away. I can leave the house and short shift up my sidestreet without clunking and/or jerking.

jvhers.

getting the V in Neutral should not be a problem as the V is equiped with Auto Neutral finder. Read your owners manual and on the 1st gear rough shift, trying moving the V a little bit forward than engage the gear....it should be smooth....try and than let me know.

Fastoman