false neutral - I need advice

[bigmic]

Is it usual that there is a neutral betwean 5th and 6th? On my s2r I can find it any time I want... except I don't really want it. Usually on the down shift just when I was expecting some engine breaking. It has a bit of a wiring or wereing sound also. Of course I then pretty much stamp on the lever and I get 5th..
Cheers mic

[techno]

I've got an S2R800 and I get that too. Usually happens when I'm not being definite enough with the gear change. Just reminds me to be more positive with the gear changes.

[stopintime]

That's "normal" - shouldn't be, but is

During the first couple of months on my S2R800 it happened two or three times. I posted about it and was told to shift with a little more power.
I don't know if I do that now or if the gear box has "developed" after 19k km - anyway, it doesn't happen anymore.

Couldn't hurt to have your dealer test ride it to see if they agree?

[goldFiSh]

+1. It's a feature of the ducati gearbox, mine does it was well.

also +1 on what techno says above!

[wayne800]

Mine too. I was wondering about this - thanks for the post.

[heatherp]

Yep I have the same usually on changing up rather than down. Currently getting used to new boots that have less feel so doing it lots.  Just as Techno says have to be more definite about shifting. It would probably help if I had bigger hoofs too 

I've had other bikes (not Duc) where I could find a false neutral between all gears!

[Spider]

you should have heard the horror stories from the bloke with the 848 when Brad and I were chatting to him at the race.....he's drop from 6th to 5th.....by itself....and he's got the false neutral problem but in reverse....bike says it's in neutral (lights on) and it's still in 1st (and it starts with the clutch out too in 1st). 

he was pretty relaxed about it though!

[dragonworld.]

I've got an S2R800 and I get that too. Usually happens when I'm not being definite enough with the gear change. Just reminds me to be more positive with the gear changes.

My 1000DS can do it also, particularly if I'm a bit "lazy" with the shift through 1st to 2nd. Firm and NOT brutal it seems is the best way for the Duc boxes it.  [moto]

Some bikes I have owned (In particular Yams) seem to be very sensitive to chain adjustment, too loose and the shifting can be clunky and a little hit and miss. 

Funnily enough the older M750 compared to the thou is a sweet shifter but you still have to be firm with it! (Its SUCH a girl?  )

Maybe thats the secret?? Get around 70-80k and the box is all nicely bedded in??   

[CairnsDuc]

you should have heard the horror stories from the bloke with the 848 when Brad and I were chatting to him at the race.....he's drop from 6th to 5th.....by itself....and he's got the false neutral problem but in reverse....bike says it's in neutral (lights on) and it's still in 1st (and it starts with the clutch out too in 1st). 

he was pretty relaxed about it though!

Had this happen on my S2R 800 on a couple of occasions, damn near dropped the bike! thankfully I was pulling the clutch in just after I hit button or the starter has cut out, nearly dropped it each time, way to close for comfort though.

I refer to the the green Neutral light now as the "Close to Neutral light" 

When my S2R was new I used to get false neutrals between 5th to 6th and 2nd to 3rd, I then started being more positive in my shifting technique, never had a problem since.

[bigmic]

Great! this is where the knowledge is at..thanks for the help...my friendly mechanic really meant well but it was all news to him.
I admittedly have been shifting a bit better and will keep working on it. It's also taught me how to use my breaks which hasn't hurt.
As for the Neutral light yeah I have noticed that it's only a rough indication that you 'might' be in neutral. I always start with my clutch in and break on if unsure...

cheers
mic

[bigiain]

If you find it's not something you "get used too" (I often find false neutrals between 2nd/3rd and 3rd/4th after I've been riding my Honda for a few weeks with it's super low effort almost telepathic gear shift, but a few hours on the Ducati and I'm clunking the gear lever properly into gear again), you could try adjusting the angle of the gear lever - if you're missing gears on te way down, spin the adjustment on the linkage to raise the lever by a few mm - that'll make your "normal" downshift a little more firm (at the possible expense of upshifts...)

big

[mattyvas]

I found this problem quite a few times on the SBK trip.
That might have also been the fact that it was my first road trip and riding 500 plus k's each day meant
a little bit of lax riding here and there.

Point is be positive and you find less problems less often.

[ducsport]

Yep, +1 on the being positive with gear changes. Mine is only a five speed box, but I can still find a false neutral between 3rd and 4th if I am a bit too relaxed about the up change.

[loony888]

just for shits and giggles, try loosening the chain a little. too tight a chain adds preload to the gearbox assembly, as well as causing other woes.


paul.