M900 Shifting

[twinflyer17]

So recently I have started to wonder what is considered "normal" when it comes to how the shifting feels on a bike. My M900 seems to have a very different kind of shift than the Multi and 748 that I also ride. The Monster's gears seem to "drop" into place when i shift, while the Multi and 748 seem to "slide" into place, if that makes any sense to anyone??? The Monster is a 94, so I don't know it I'm just being paranoid because it is an older bike, or is it normal for older Ducati's to have that roughness and dropping tendency when shifting? If anyone has any feedback and thoughts I would really appreciate hearing it! Thanks 

[The Bearded Duc]

When was the last time you had service? Mine felt the same before my 12K, and feels a lot better now. I'm at about 12.5k now and still feels good.

But, then again, when I rode some newer bikes it felt completely different. More smooth, I guess. Maybe it's just the older bikes. Mine's an '01, BTW.

[junior varsity]

When was the last time you had service? Mine felt the same before my 12K, and feels a lot better now. I'm at about 12.5k now and still feels good.

But, then again, when I rode some newer bikes it felt completely different. More smooth, I guess. Maybe it's just the older bikes. Mine's an '01, BTW.

Unless they found an issue and fixed it / charged you for it, the 12k service doesn't do anything to the internal shift linkage.

I'm not sure if the shift-pawl has changed over the years, but I do know that Factory Pro makes a "Pro Shift Kit" which uses a roller bearing for that detent arm which is supposed to make it much easier/quicker to engage the next gear in a shift.

[The Bearded Duc]

Unless they found an issue and fixed it / charged you for it, the 12k service doesn't do anything to the internal shift linkage.

I'm not sure if the shift-pawl has changed over the years, but I do know that Factory Pro makes a "Pro Shift Kit" which uses a roller bearing for that detent arm which is supposed to make it much easier/quicker to engage the next gear in a shift.

I was thinking more about a "bad" chain causing the shifting to feel harder. Maybe a stiff link or two?

[junior varsity]

eh, that wouldn't change shifting, which is internal. A busted or misaligned shift spring or bent shift fork could cause problems, though not quite as he described I don't think. The much more knowledgeable speeddog and others could chime in there.

[Speeddog]

How many miles on the M900?

How many miles on the clutch?

[Düb Lüv]

would the selector springs be causing these problems?

[rata911]

I also think the M900 gearbox and shifting feel kind of chunky compared to others but I'm fine with it.
What helps a bit is to find out at which rev its the smoothest transition for each gear. At least for upshifting you can find that out if you preload your lever a bit and shift up without pulling the clutch. Works great so far.

[junior varsity]

I also think the M900 gearbox and shifting feel kind of chunky compared to others but I'm fine with it.
What helps a bit is to find out at which rev its the smoothest transition for each gear. At least for upshifting you can find that out if you preload your lever a bit and shift up without pulling the clutch. Works great so far.

amen to clutchless upshifting.

[twinflyer17]

Thanks to all your responses! I really appreciate the different feedback. My M900 just turned to 19.5K and I replaced the clutch plates at 19K. Service was also completed a few thousand miles ago. I have actually been playing with different RPMs when up shifting, and found, even when still using the clutch, it does up shift much smoother when giving it a little throttle. Down shifting is still clunky and still "drops" at different RPMs, although I do still use the clutch. I'm fairly clueless when it comes to anything mechanical, but how big of a deal could the selector springs, or shift springs and shift fork be if they happened to be the problem??? 
Again, thanks to all who have responded so far!

[Speeddog]

There are two springs on the shifting mechanism itself.
One returns the shift lever to 'center' position, and the other keeps the shift hook engaged on the drum.
Both require removing the left sidecover and flywheel to replace.
From your description, it's unlikely that either is broken.
I've replaced several of both.

The detent arm requires removing the clutch and right sidecover to replace.
I've not seen one of those springs broken.

Finally, there's a spring and ball that is a 'neutral' detent.
It's the hex nut on the left rear of the motor.
Haven't seen one of those broken either.

[twinflyer17]

That's a positive thing knowing you haven't seen most of those things actually broken and also that you don't believe any of those things could be an issue with mine. I am mainly just curious if the way it is shifting now is maybe going to lead to any problems like that, and also if you would recommend possibly getting it checked out?

[printman]

If it was more of a "clunk" on downshift, I would say you are alright. Only you know if it is something completely wrong. My 93 900ss has a harder downshift than upshift, and I believe it is the nature of the beast. It gets a little better downshifting at a slower pace, but if aggressive it will clunk into gear. Probably the more aggressive pressure on the lever. Just saying....

[avizpls]

I had the same wonderings recently (whats "normal" shifting supposed to feel like) but it was because my 94 M900 was so much smoother and solid than my new triumph. The triumph clanks and snaps into gear, where the duc is very dull and slides right into place.

[twinflyer17]

If it was more of a "clunk" on downshift, I would say you are alright. Only you know if it is something completely wrong. My 93 900ss has a harder downshift than upshift, and I believe it is the nature of the beast. It gets a little better downshifting at a slower pace, but if aggressive it will clunk into gear. Probably the more aggressive pressure on the lever. Just saying....

I was hoping to hear something more like that from someone with a similar year Duc. Thanks. I'm actually going on a ride to West Virgina the beginning of June and will put somewhere around a thousand miles on it, so i do feel a little relieved not having to worry about as much now.  [moto]