Why can't I get 1st gear or Neutral ?

Trickypl4 · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 May 2006 Karma :

How is it that sometimes I can't get 1st gear or Neutral at all? (I have a brand new YBR125)

I'll be riding along and slow down for lights/junction/whatever and it just won't go into 1st or N. No matter how many times I click down or up on the gear lever it just doesn't happen.

It happens several times but always on the same journey, like on the way to work. Then when it's time to come back it'll be fine. And it'll continue to be fine for a week or whatever then it happens again. What's going on? Question

To rectify it I normally have to switch off completely, wait a few seconds then switch back on.

Is it a problem with all bikes or just 125's? And is it likely to get any better over time, or even stop completely?

Richie Confused

ncrn · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2006 Karma :

i get this sometimes, usually if i down gear too quickly, try getting down to gear before you stop, if this isnt possible then try rocking the bike back and forth, roll forward about half a meter and then same back, you should feel a click then try downshift, this should let you get down a gear.

Jebus · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2004 Karma :

Are you doing you shifts quickly and smoothly? if you are pulling in the clutch and not changing down right away then, it could just be getting stuck, if its in a similar place then it could be this.
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murphyD · Scooby Slapper Joined: 19 May 2006 Karma :

Try giving the throttle a little blip before changing down.
I find this helps when you've got to go down through all the gears fairly quick!!
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carlmalibu · Spanner Monkey Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Karma :

my instructor at CBT today told me if gears won't change either let clutch out and try again (to stop sticking) or keep foot pressed down and ease clutch out. Kind of forces the bike to change gear.
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short1uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Karma :

mate i know exactly what you mean. The YBR is a complete tw@t when it comes to getting in to 1st and neutral.

Some times you can have a ride where its fine and nothing happens another time you can be at a very dangerous junction you think its in 1st cause it wont go down anymore and bang your in second. Out you shoot in to the middle of the round about and it shits out on you leaving you sat there. And for love nor money the damn thing wont go in to first with out a pure stamp of the gear peddle. I have not got a clue what causes this mate but it seems to affect ALL ybr's (we have 2 i have one and the other half has one) and we both have this problem.

Last night we went out for a 3 hour ride and the bike was fine, little clunky changing gears i felt but it didnt crap out on me. I have been chaging down as I am rolling to lights etc instead of changing once stationery.

I would prefer to sit at lights in neutral some time esp if its a ling change on the lights. But this bike you cant you must stay in gear or you aint never getting it back in!!

Cath

short1uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Karma :

IDunno? · Derestricted Danger Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Karma :

Ive had no trouble with my new ybr. If it wont go into first just keep your foot on the gearshift and carefully release the clutch just enough so it clicks in. Neutral is quite a small opening in the gear line and sometimes i miss it when changing down, going into first then back up seems easier to do.

Anyhoo, enjoy Very Happy

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1936 Aero Douglas '500' - Me - 2006 Yamaha YBR125

TheShaggyDA · Repost Police Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

If it's a brand new bike, it might be the clutch cable settling in. Get the dealer to make sure it's adjusted OK.
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Dave1216 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

I had exactly the same problem for my first 150 miles on my YBR-125. I've now got 700 miles and find no problem.

I think you learn the 'knack' of it.

Trickypl4 · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 May 2006 Karma :

Ok, thanks everyone Thumbs Up

I'll try a few of your suggestions.

I've done 277 miles so far, so I'll see how I get on for now and see if it's any different after its first service.

I'm sure I've either read on here, or heard someone say it's a notorious problem. But maybe I just dreamt it Thinking

short1uk · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Karma :

Trickypl4 · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 May 2006 Karma :

I have followed one suggestion on here, and that's to change down to 1st before I come to a stop. That seems to be much better. Smile

carlmalibu · Spanner Monkey Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Karma :

aren't you supposed to do that anyway?
____________________
Shine on, you crazy diamond
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Dazbo666 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Jun 2004 Karma :

AcIdBuRnZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

Bikes generally find neutral better when at a complete stop. Are you trying to change into neutral approaching a junction???

Also, you should let the clutch out (even slightly) as you come down the gears - don't just knock into first from 6th, 5th etc
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Trickypl4 · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 May 2006 Karma :

ncrn · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2006 Karma :

Dave1216 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

Trickypl4 · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 May 2006 Karma :

Yeah. That's 1 good reason Laughing

I've probably never realised that I haven't got 6 gears Shhh!

But there again, most of the time I've got absolutely no idea what gear I'm in anyway. How do you know? Just count as you go along?

Dave1216 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Karma :

I have the same problem. I can never tell for certain what gear i'm in. I considered getting a 'gear indicator' but to be honest - it doesn't matter what gear your in. Although i do keep looking for the sixth gear when doing 50-60 MPH.

When i'm slowing down, i just keep pushing until i'm it won't go any lower - then i know i'm in first. However, often i find a situation where 2nd would be more appropriate - so i do need to learn what gear i'm in.

I'm getting better at judging, but i think it's just a case of guessing. More experience will probably help me.

sagalout · Nearly there... Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Karma :

Havent ridden a YBR so I dont know how bad the box is, but I'd be surprised if its fundementally flawed as its an old and well tested engine and box. As mentioned above, you shouldnt ever come to a stop in say 3rd or 4th and then try and click it through to first - most bikes will have a problem with this. Instead click through the gears as you approach the junction.

If you find yourself in this position due to bad planning or an emergency stop then keep your foot on the gear lever and release the clutch to the biting point and it will click down.