How to ride a shaft bike

[Feasty]

I've had my shaft driven Divvy for a little while now and seem to be struggling changing gears. I really don't think it's the gears themselves as they work absolutely spot on during normal riding.

It's when I'm accelerating as quick as I can onto dual carriageways and motorways and using the higher rev range. The red line starts at 9.5k but I generally only go to 7-8k before changing gear through 3rd-4th-5th, at this point I tend to get a false neutral and today it even jumped down a gear instead of up!
I've an incling that once or twice it even just jumped out of gear when I was high up the rev range, but I can't be 100% sure if that was me or the bike!

Should I be doing anything different with a shaft driven bike compared to the previous chain driven bikes I've always ridden? Or do I just need to give it time to get used to the bike?
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[doggone]

I don't see that the shaft would cause false neutrals, any 'new' bike needs a good few miles to get used to the subtle differences in the gearbox.
Considering the precise rider input that's required to ride and corner smoothly, it's surprising we don't have far more problems when changing bike.

Most of the time there's little practical difference between shaft and chain drive, perhaps a bit more direct feel so gearchanges *might* be a bit clunky until you synchronise better.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I've had 3 shafties, an XJ900F, GT550 and an R100RT, and just ridden them like the other bikes I've had, no special treatment.
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Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Feasty]

Ok, sounds like I might just need to get used to it.

It is a bit different when everything happens a lot quicker at that kind of speed from my last bike! Accelerating, checking traffic, moving lanes, watching the rev's, changing gears... etc

I can't even go by sound instead of watching the rev's yet as when it's at 3-4k it sounds like it's revving really high but then I've still got so much more to use!

I'm assuming I can still do clutchless up shifting on a shaft bike too without damaging it can I?
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[GeneralXcepti...]

Is there too much play in the clutch cable? Could explain some of the weird gearbox issues you're having.

[Frost]

Worn selector forks.

[Feasty]

Hmm, well I guess the best way to find out is to keep riding and see if things get worse or better!
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[Pernig]

Didn't have any problems getting used to the gears on my bike.
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H100 Breaking for spares

[panrider_uk]

As above, just ride it the same as a chain driven bike (and enjoy not having to adjust, lube replace etc. )

Mark
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Current bikes: Honda ST1100 Pan European. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

[unspec]

I can't be the only person on here who has spent a good 5 mins trying to figure out a way to put the phrase 'riding the shaft' into a serious reply.

[chris-red]

Change the gearbox oil, it may be down to technique if it is a new bike are you knocking it up hard enough and letting the lever return each time?
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