k8 bandit 2nd gear problems

[tk338]

I've recently bought a k8 bandit with 1500 miles on, really nice to ride, smooth, and really nice condition. The only fault with it is selecting second gear, its really clunky, all of the gears are to some extent, but second gear takes the piss, even when its warmed up and screaming its nut off. I've experimented with it and over 300 miles I've made 3 perfect 'into second changes' but that's it.


Pulling off a roundabout today, into second, and the neutral light just flickered, and it made a horrible sound, like a noise a car makes when selecting the wrong gear, another flick up and it slips into second fine.

Any ideas? It had an oil change at 700 miles, its done 1100 miles since

Thanks!

[chris-red]

Where is the biting point you your clutch lever? it may need adjusting.
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[Paxovasa]

1st to 2nd is always a clunky gear, even more so when you are giving it the beans.
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[tk338]

I think the biting points ok, ill have to check on my ride home though, if anything though it'd be too far from the bar if that helps...

Also thanks Paxovasa it did cross my mind it was meant to be like that, coming from a cbr it sounds like its splitting my gearbox open sometimes!

[Paxovasa]

[tk338]

The chain tension could be something actually, I had a look at that a few days ago and I thought it seemed nicely taught, maybe too tight, ill check that properly tomorrow...

And and oil change Is something I'm planning on doing in the very near future (y)

Thanks!

[Paxovasa]

[0l0dom0l0]

+1 to above.

1st to second on the Fazer was the worse gear by far. It took a really firm foot, and a grit of the teeth. Its simply because your going through neutral.

Its possible the clutch needs adjusting. The best thing I ever did was an oil change, made the gearbox about 50 times smoother.

When you select first gear from neutral, (ie your just about to pull off), is there a massive clunk or just a small clunk?

[tk338]

Well after reading the manual the clutch is self adjusting so it cant be that, I've checked the chain tension but thats fine, and the oil levels ok too...

It does seem to be ok most of the time, there is a loud clunk when going into first but second is a horrible gear, if you change into first, pull away... between 10 and 15mph into second your fine, but above that its loud, and today I tried changing into second not far from the redline and its impossible, sounds like its eating the gearbox! Reluctant to ever try that again... Its got just shy of 2000 miles on it, and it had an oil change at 800...

SOrry for the long wait by the way... Work called >.<

[0l0dom0l0]

Have you tried pre loading the gear leaver to 'prepare' the gearbox for the next gear?

The way to try this is to have your toes just applying a tiny tiny bit of pressure to the gear lever before you change gear. Its a technique using in clutch-less shifting that helps smooth out the gear changes. Might be worth a try.

Where did you buy the bike from and how long ago?

Hope that helps.

[tk338]

I have in other gears, thing is is it changes up... But into a zero gear... neutral doesn't flash up most of the time, and the engine just revs freely with no response to the wheels... But I can give it a go...

Thing is is on my old CBR I used to love clutch-less shifting, but on the bandit there are certain gears just won't either that or the CBR was a lot more forgiving lol.

I got the bike under a month ago from a local bike shop who I won't name, but after what I feel was very poor customer service (They had my cbr for 3 weeks trying to fix it, and had no courtesy bike for me, leaving me stranded) I'm reluctant to use the 3 month warranty that came with the bike, more trouble than its worth imo...

[cb1rocket]

revving the bollocks off in 1st to go into 2nd is a no no. Its bad practice for any bike IMO. This is where the biggest gear damage can happen. Its usually best practice to rev halfway then shift, and you can do it quickly. I do this on all my bikes and with a rather rough 2nd gear on one bike, and regular oil changes, I have managed to iron out the poor shift.

[0l0dom0l0]

[tk338]

cb1rocket; This was something I did wonder, but on my past 2 bikes, admittedly wholly different bikes, but a ybr125 and a 2000 cbr600f, it wasn't a problem. It may well be that the bike just isn't made to do it, its not a problem shifting at 6000 or so, but it is annoying, and a niggling, possible problem... Which although again completely different, my cbrs problems started with tiny barely noticeable faults which just grew, eventually crippling the bike.


0l0dom0l0; I tried pre loading the shifter, but no joy, I did however for a while ride around in second with no problems, its very very smooth, doesn't seem to make any noise once you're there... Goes like a dream, or if second is trashed would you not be able to tell at that point?

The clutch is hydraulic, and after reading the manual it says its self adjusting, but there are 4 presets which you can position the lever with



When possible I'm going to take off the pane covering the gear shifting linkage, grease it up, check its all in line etc, fit it all back together and go again...

[0l0dom0l0]

IIRC and someone please correct me if I am wrong but It sounds like you selector forks might be bent in the gearbox.

It fits the symptoms you have described. The forks select the gear but don't actually have anything to do with it once its in gear? I think. Not to sure on that though.

Do you think it might be worth changing the clutch fluid? I assume its in fluid as its a hydraulic one? Again not to sure though :/.

[N cee thirty]

Hmm i very much doubt the gearbox is fucked,unless you've been doing wheelies and very badly after 2k miles

go through all the basics first

oil change etc
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[Acemastr]

My last CBR600FV would make the worst, most horrible sound known to man if i changed from 1st to 2nd at anything over 6k revs, i'd have to give it such a kick up.

The new CBR is like silk, sometimes i can't even feel the click, mileage, clutch wear, gearbox wear, all play a part, i expect it could even be adjustment issues which is cheap and cheerful to fix.
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[Rogerborg]