[problem] Slipping into neutral

[IOM95]

Hi,

I ride a Yamaha DT125X and often my bike will slip into neutral going from 1st to 2nd gear.

I can't remember having this issue when I first got the bike about 9 months. This is my first bike and maybe it's just me not having smooth gear changes or maybe something isn't right with the bike.

Is it normal for a bike to slip into neutral? It's probably a silly question but I don't know why it's doing it so often.

[mentalboy]

No, it's not normal for a bike to 'slip' into neutral when shifting up.
Was the bike brand new when you bought it?
Is the selection of other gears a little clunkier than you remember?

Most likely thing is oil. Do you know when the gearbox oil was last changed/ have you ever checked the gear oil level?

Secondly - could it be your clutch dragging? How much play is in the cable at the lever end (I usually aim for 1 or 2mm slack on most clutches).

Other culprits will lie within the gearbox/clutch and aren't quite so easy to fix. Try the first two points before stripping anything or worrying too much!
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Make mine a Corona.

[scorpia4]

I had those problems and my bike is now unable to move from its own force

[Iain.]

Check chain tension.

If it's not tensioned correctly when you go from first to second it doesn't spin some doohickey in the gearbox quite enough to engage second gear and it'll spit itself back out.

My YBR did it lots, just don't overtighten it as you'll snap the chain and end up wrecking the engine/taking a chunk out of your leg/buying a CBR125

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=4060852#4060852

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Once you've checked all the basics as suggested above, the next step could be the selector shaft. They are not that expensive through Yamaha but it requires the clutch cover and kick start mechanism removing, maybe even the clutch basket, I can't remember now. The shaft comes out through the clutch side, so obviously the gear shift lever will need removing. Whilst you're at it, swap the shaft seal on the lever side, they're very cheap.

Basically there's a spring on the selector shaft which should return the pin on the end of the shaft to central after a shift, when this spring wears or snaps, you don't get a clean shift and false neutrals from 1st to 2nd are quite common.
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TZR250 2MA road, TZR250 1KT road, TZR250 2MA race, TDR250, YZF-750R Boost colours.
Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 Sport R, VW Transporter T5 GP LWB Shuttle 140ps DSG.

[MarJay]

Check your chain tension. If it's too tight the bike will want to stay in neutral even when kicking 'through' it. It could also be down to the gear shift mechanism needing lubrication.

Chain tension first, then gear shift mechanism (ball joints) then gearbox oil, then the other complicated stuff people have mentioned. Always check the simplest (and cheapest) problems first.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[mentalboy]

[Dave70]

It may sound silly but, have you changed to different boots lately?

I never had this problem when wearing my TCX boots, yet when I've got my Sidi's on I have to make sure I give the gear leaver a more determined kick upwards. Otherwise it often doesn't engage properly and will slip back down into neutral and this never happens when wearing the TCX's.
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There ain't no devil, there's just god when he's drunk.

2012: R125 killed by white van. 2016 R125 killed by 30,000 miles of redline. Current: 2016 Kawasaki ER6f.

[talkToTheHat]

How do the gear lever linkages move? if they are stif and unlubed or caked with road grime you are much more likely to catch neutral accidnetally or have a hard time finding it deliberatley.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[iginge]

I had exactly the same problem with my bike (different from OP's) going from 1st to 2nd was a nightmare and hated stopping as I'd know what was coming next when I attempted to get moving again.

A change in position of the gear shift lever solved 90% of my problem (not instantly either), my next one was getting my chain tensioned, clean and lube the chain.

A recent service also helped.

My problem still occurs from time to time but no where near as much as prior to doing all the above.

Also (i'm not sure if this advice was given just to me) but I was told that putting even the slightest bit of pressure on the shift lever prior to attempting a shift (can easily be done without realising) can cause problems when an actual up-shift is attempted.

I've experienced both false neutral's and neutral while on the move, non of them are a pleasant experience.

So all in all my advice;

- Adjust position of gear lever (mine was lowered)
- check chain tension / clean and lube chain

Also it may be worth checking your clutch to ensure that's correctly adjusted and ensure it's engaging with the correct amount of play (owners handbook) and be sure it's in the right position for your arm/hand.. should be a straight line all the way down comfortably (hold your arm out at an angle downwards and that's the correct position).

[mentalboy]

https://wizbangblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Echo-Chamber.jpg
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Make mine a Corona.

[Commuter_Tim]

I think your real problem is you slipped outside of the Workshop section.
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The above post is most likely nonsensical.

I ride a Bandit 600... badly.

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[mentalboy]

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[IOM95]

[Commuter_Tim]

[mentalboy]

[Pete.]