It'll get better after break-in then even better when you switch to synthetic oil...
Crappy gear box ?
Is it me or do these bikes shift like crap ? I have 200 miles on my 2012.
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X 2 :thumb::thumb::thumb:It'll get better after break-in then even better when you switch to synthetic oil...
I kinda wondered the same. Got about 200 miles on my new V and she shifts pretty hard, especially that first clunk down into 1st. If I don't keep my hand on the front brake I'm afraid she's going to lurch forward. I thought it was just mine, glad I'm not alone.
It's because you have the yellow/black one. The green one is very good at shifting, better than any other color imo :teetertooter:
As far as I've seen on these forums, all the Vs have that clunk into first. I've been running Amsoil AMO 10W-40 and Mobil 1 4T oils with good results. Most shifts are much smoother now than they were with the factory fill. Nothing I've seen suggests that the longevity of the transmission will be affected by the shifting.
this bike has positive neutral finder which is the major cause of the clunk. For those who don't know what that is, when you shift down to first with the bike stopped and then lift the shift lever, it will not go into second unless the bike is moving. This makes it real easy to find neutral and Kawasaki pushes this marketing feature.
It isn't the first gear thing with me, I can live with that. It is the rest of the shifting that sucks. Hopefully it gets better.
Yeah...she's clunky. I find that pre-loading the shift lever and then barely pulling the clutch, she shifts in effortlessly..........
How's your chain tension and clutch cable slack? It does get much better as it breaks in, and with synthetic oil.
I will have to try that, I have tried moving the shift lever up and down to change the pressure on my boot. Havn't found a decent combination yet. Sometimes it is though it doesn't clunck into 3rd until the shifter is fully released. Like it has to use the full range of up and down movement to engage. Shift lever clicks up, release, still in 2nd gear. It does seem to shift better at higher RPM's though. I will probably talk to my dealer about it, have had 50 or so bikes and this one shifts worse than anything I have ever owned. I really love the bike other than that.
Hey, I didn't know Amsoil's AMO 10W-40 had the JASO MA spec. It retails for less than MCL 10W-40, and even a bit less than my AFF 0W-40. :thumb:As far as I've seen on these forums, all the Vs have that clunk into first. I've been running Amsoil AMO 10W-40 and Mobil 1 4T oils with good results. Most shifts are much smoother now than they were with the factory fill. Nothing I've seen suggests that the longevity of the transmission will be affected by the shifting.
http://www.woodsbrosracing.com/amsoil/amo.htm
You may have to remove the footpeg from its mount to access the shifter's main pivot, to clean and grease it. There are seals there, but it likely wasn't properly packed with grease... Use NLGI #2 grease. You can also spray some chain lube on the shifter rod ends, under their rubber boots.I will have to try that, I have tried moving the shift lever up and down to change the pressure on my boot. Havn't found a decent combination yet. Sometimes it is though it doesn't clunck into 3rd until the shifter is fully released. Like it has to use the full range of up and down movement to engage. Shift lever clicks up, release, still in 2nd gear. It does seem to shift better at higher RPM's though. I will probably talk to my dealer about it, have had 50 or so bikes and this one shifts worse than anything I have ever owned. I really love the bike other than that.
+1. This bike is new to me - and the clunky seemed extreme to me. But the fine folks on here assured me it was normal - and as long as I pre-load 2nd gear - no more clunk. 2nd is the only one that does it for me - so maybe the mileage already on the bike has taken care of 3-6???Yeah...she's clunky. I find that pre-loading the shift lever and then barely pulling the clutch, she shifts in effortlessly..........
Good luck.
Apart from the 'clunk' into 1st after start up from cold (which makes me cringe at times..!) mine has alway changed well and with no issues...
Exactly the same thing I do. Took me awhile to get used to doing that, but once I did, shifts are much more precise.Yeah...she's clunky. I find that pre-loading the shift lever and then barely pulling the clutch, she shifts in effortlessly..........
Make sure you are using a JASO-MA certified oil. They have additives that make the transmission shift a lot smoother than when you use a car oil. Also for smooth shifting you need to pre load the shifter with light upward pressure.Is it me or do these bikes shift like crap ? I have 200 miles on my 2012.
Let's hope that with only 200 miles from the dealer's door, they had the right oil in there. If not, I would lose all hope in humanity... 
Have to say that my Versys 'box is probably the worst gearbox in any of the 20+ bikes I've ever owned and is the worst feature on an otherwise excellent bike. If I decide to change my bike next year, top of my list is the DCT Honda Crosstourer. Now that's a brilliant set-up. :thumb:
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