An observation on shifting the XS1100

[ThrottleJunky]

I have to shift it like I mean it. It's a totally different feel than any other bike I've ever ridden, though I'm primarily a dirt biker. I sheepishly have to admit that I've missed a few shifts, and my goal is to not do that anymore. At first, I was too light on the 1-2 shift, ending in neutral. Also, I missed a 3-4 once that left me in some weird neutral area that I was not happy with myself about.

Yesterday, riding her around a bit, I did not miss a single shift. DELIBERATE is the word, and I'm very conscious of it now. I hope it becomes second nature. I don't want to hurt this transmission which, after reading a few things here, makes me want to be extra careful. She doesn't pop out of gear at all.

[Tenorman]

You are correct....

ThrottleJunky,

These bikes shift like an old tractor!

After buying new and used gears to repair my transmission, I also shift quite gently...

I've also had a bit of a "little kick" on my left big toe going from third to fourth gear...I think that may be normal, but let some others chime in...

Have fun and keep the rubber side down...

Tenorman

[Old Red]

A good firm shift works best on these bikes. If you get just a little lazy shifting, you will find a false neutral.

[Radioguylogs]

Yep, you have to shift like you mean it.

My most common problem is missing 4th gear when I am really getting on it. I end up in that false neutral, and if I try to put it back into 4th gear, it does a horrible grinding on the gears; seems better to slow down and shift down.

I moved the 2nd gear washer on my SF, and it is more finicky going into 4th gear than my SG transmission, which has the original washer location.

[mack]

nope

they can and will shift like an automatic if your skilled. Preload the shifter and your gold, get lazy and these bikes will eat you. If your actually riding one, they handle like dragsters. Bullet fast in a straight line but suspect on the first curve, be cool and learn the bike. They are sierra hotel all the way but they aren't for armatures.

[myac455]

I don't have any personal experience with these on the road yet, but I did observe some of the weirdness while I was bench testing mine the other day.
Sounds like one might want to drop the shifter down one more notch to get a good amount of leverage on it? Yes/ no?

[motoman]

I don't have any personal experience with these on the road yet, but I did observe some of the weirdness while I was bench testing mine the other day.
Sounds like one might want to drop the shifter down one more notch to get a good amount of leverage on it? Yes/ no?

Actually, for nice shifting on your part, wear a good boot......no tenny-runners.

[dbbrian]

Yep, Russian Tractor

Someone on here said something about it shifting like a Russian Tractor, and when she bangs into gear that saying often comes to my mind.

When I drop her into first gear from neutral, and then pull away and make the very deliberate upshift past neutral to second, I'm pretty sure I get more heads turning than the Harley owners that blip the throttle at the intersection

I went from a sewing machine-like CB350Four to this beast. I thought something was wrong, but like you are now reading, the good people here will set your mind at ease.

For me, its now part of the grand experience of the XS, and I think you'll soon learn to love it too

[jetmechmarty]

Mine has the washer move. I did it when I replaced the gears. It shifts like butter.

[dbbrian]

Mine has the washer move. I did it when I replaced the gears. It shifts like butter.

No WAY! Really?

You ruined it man

[TopCatGr58]

Hey TJ,

Like Mark Yac said in his other clutch thread, rotating the shift lever down another shaft spline/tooth might also help in giving you more leverage for upshifting.

As was said, Preloading/putting your foot into shift position with some pressure against the lever also helps, but also USING the clutch, and briefly letting off of the throttle also will help the gears to spool down a little to allow them to mesh better before putting throttle load back on them. These are square cut dogs/slots, they are not syncromesh gears, and so these little tricks/techniques aid in making the shifting process smoother and more successful. Many of us have gotten so good at the throttle blip that we CAN upshift WITHOUT using the clutch, but it's easier on the gears when you do use it.

Now for trying to prevent damage when shifting from a stand still neutral into 1st, one technique is the HOLD the lever in for several seconds to allow the gears to slow down their spinning before making the "CLUNK" shift into 1st. The other technique is to actually shut OFF the engine, shift into 1st, and then Restart holding the clutch, and then take off. 3rd is while coming to a stop, downshifting into 1st while moving, and then just leaving it there holding the clutch lever while waiting for the light, etc.! And when decelerating and downshifting, blipping the throttle a bit higher also helps to mesh the gear speeding it up a bit before downshifting.

T.C.

[JeffH]

Mine has the washer move. I did it when I replaced the gears. It shifts like butter.

Yep, I've ridden his 11. Fantastic machine. In fact, a few different times. He's absolutely right ..........
Shifts like hot knife in butter.

I always thought Phil's Addie shifted very well. So does my E.

Jeff

[SteveO]

Is have experienced that "limbo neutral" many times through the years; mostly when I shift too softly; and sometimes when I rode in sneakers (my bad). Since now I wear hard riding shoes and pay more attention to what I am doing, it does not happen anymore.

[skids]

I think it is a good idea to slow considerably before trying to recover from a false neutral...

[madmax-im]

My method for shifting into first..for many yrs...as I am slowing down to come to a stop...I downshift into 1st at 5mph..no clunk..but then i will sit there holding in the clutch..As I have aged the arthritis sets in and holding clutches aint as easy or painless..still less punishing on the transmission..I never liked the clunky gears..never had them buttery smooth either...