A second neutral???

[mmaddix]

So... some times when I shift from third going to fourth I feel it click so I let off the clutch and give it throttle and I have no acceleration. It’s like I have a second neutral. If I shift from third to fourth and hold the shifter up while I release the clutch I feel a second click and then it works just fine. Again this is my first bike so I don’t know but that just doesn’t seem normal to me. Any suggestions.

[GARTHXS]

Firm shifts are needed especially if you are wearing work boots.

[Danny Crawdad]

It does happen occasionally -- you have to shift these bikes with authority, and if you don't they can get "hung" between gears. If you put a little bit more anger () into your shift, does it work any better? How often is it happening? If it's just an occasional thing, you may just need to get used to the shifter.

When I shift, I preload the shifter by putting a little weight on it first before touching the clutch. Seems to help the notchiness.

[mmaddix]

If you put a little bit more anger () into your shift, does it work any better? How often is it happening? If it's just an occasional thing, you may just need to get used to the shifter.

When I shift, I preload the shifter by putting a little weight on it first before touching the clutch. Seems to help the notchiness.

If i Hold the shifter up til after I release the clutch it works fine. I will try to just use a little more force since I do have to wear boots when I ride according to the Marine Corps. I just thought it was weired it was just in between third and fouth. It only happens maybe once on the 50 miles i ride a day.

[DGXSER]

If it only happens once a day and not every time you shift, then it is most likely a PEBSAS issue (Problem Exist Between Seat And Shifter)

It happens to the best of us on these bikes. As has been stated, you have to raise the shifter completely on every shift. Use to ride a Honda alot, you could almost breath hard on the lever and it would shift. Not so with an XS1100, you have to lift that lever like you mean it every time.

[mmaddix]

I guess I will go get a can of M.A.N. before I ride.

Thank you.

[WSL91]

I have 2 of these bikes and the shift from 3rd to 4th is quite noticeable. It feels like you are shifting through a box of wrenches. I chuckle every time and say to my self....there's 4th!

[motoman]

So... some times when I shift from third going to fourth I feel it click so I let off the clutch and give it throttle and I have no acceleration. It’s like I have a second neutral. If I shift from third to fourth and hold the shifter up while I release the clutch I feel a second click and then it works just fine. Again this is my first bike so I don’t know but that just doesn’t seem normal to me. Any suggestions.

So U don't have to drain the oil, might lay bike on its right side and remove the shift cover and check the shift pawl alignment marks(while in second gear).

[bikerphil]

For a more positive shift, try removing the shift lever and moving it down one tooth position on the splines, works for me, YMMV.

[trbig]

You can get a false neutral between any of the gears if you don't be a bit aggressive as they are saying. I really like when it happens when I'm romping on it, speed-shift about redline, and hit one of those false neutrals. I just really enjoy watching the tach needle smack off the top of the tach past 10 grand....knowing I probably just rapped it to at least 12k momentarilly. Then I have the fun job of listening for strange engine noises all the way home, telling me I've done something horrible to the motor. Luckily, with as many imes as I've done that, I've not bent, broken, or blown anything up.

[BA80]

You can get a false neutral between any of the gears if you don't be a bit aggressive as they are saying. I really like when it happens when I'm romping on it, speed-shift about redline, and hit one of those false neutrals. I just really enjoy watching the tach needle smack off the top of the tach past 10 grand....knowing I probably just rapped it to at least 12k momentarilly. Then I have the fun job of listening for strange engine noises all the way home, telling me I've done something horrible to the motor. Luckily, with as many imes as I've done that, I've not bent, broken, or blown anything up.

Yup, that's what hurt my first engine but I'm pretty sure it was badly abused in the maintanence department befor I got it.

I've buried the tach repeatedly that way on this engine with no problems so far. No doubt due to the use of Castrol 4T 20w50 engine oil.

[mmaddix]

What makes it worse in my case I'd I don't even have a tach. I know I need to get one but I haven't heard or felt anything the times I have done it at higher RPMs.

[jjz28]

my transmission shifts way quiter than my xs750 but i have went from 3rd to 4th too quick once and hit that false neutral spot, but i think my tranny is really pretty quiet on this bike. It only has 12 thousand on it but i know they are supposed to clunk, mine is just not near as bad as the 750 and its not really that loud.

[skids]

I guess I will go get a can of M.A.N. before I ride.

Thank you.

If you're going to open a can of whoop-ass, you must chase it with a can of M.A.N.! OOOOh-Raw!

[ddragon63]

Happens to me every now and then... usually when lazily getting on the freeway. Like everyone says hit it with a little more mass... My biggest problem was being a rocket rider most my life I'm use to my toes pointing down. So I loosened the shifter and moved it down and notch or 2 so I didn't fee like I had to shift with my whole leg, its just a flick of the boot. YMMV but it helped me.