Posts: 454
Threads: 17
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2014
My six speed occasionally doesn't like to downshift unless the bike is moving.
If I forget to shift all the way down to first at a stop, especially in a panic braking situation, it often will not allow me to shift into first unless I rock the bike or roll it forward a bit.
I've had to leave a few intersections slipping the clutch in either second or third gear.
Posts: 201
Threads: 11
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jun 2014
Mine had a break-in period where shifting was rough. My switch to Amsoil and the subsequent break-in greatly improved the shifting. Your results may vary.
Posts: 23,479
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 597 in 266 posts
Likes Given: 774
Joined: Apr 2025
(03-27-2015, 04:59 AM)Gumby 1100_imp Wrote: My six speed occasionally doesn't like to downshift unless the bike is moving.
If I forget to shift all the way down to first at a stop, especially in a panic braking situation, it often will not allow me to shift into first unless I rock the bike or roll it forward a bit.
I've had to leave a few intersections slipping the clutch in either second or third gear.
Gumby if you come to that situation again, just let out the clutch until you can feel it engage a bit, then quickly pull the clutch in, and you can continue down shifting. No need to slip the clutch.
Posts: 454
Threads: 17
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2014
(03-27-2015, 06:23 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: (03-27-2015, 04:59 AM)Gumby 1100_imp Wrote: My six speed occasionally doesn't like to downshift unless the bike is moving.
If I forget to shift all the way down to first at a stop, especially in a panic braking situation, it often will not allow me to shift into first unless I rock the bike or roll it forward a bit.
I've had to leave a few intersections slipping the clutch in either second or third gear.
Gumby if you come to that situation again, just let out the clutch until you can feel it engage a bit, then quickly pull the clutch in, and you can continue down shifting. No need to slip the clutch.
Thanks! I'll give that a try as soon as the weather permits me to put the bike back on the road after it's winter hibernation.
Posts: 2,590
Threads: 28
Likes Received: 6 in 2 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Mar 2013
(03-27-2015, 04:51 AM)JustPassinThru_imp Wrote: I have noticed this on my CB here...and with other Japanese bikes in years past.
In my case, it's not shifting UP but DOWN. Started doing this at about 400 miles. If I downshift at higher speeds, it seems to be fine; but if I idle up to a light and start running the gears down at about 20...I have issues.
Letting the clutch out and putting some torque on the input shaft gets the gearbox to pop all the way into the gear. Hope it's not trashed; or if it is, that it hurries up and fails before the warranty runs out.
It's not trashed. That's normal behavior for this bike. It seems particularly sensitive to downshifting from the higher gears when slowing to a stop. Whenever I find myself in that situation and I'm not getting a downshift, I bump the clutch to the friction point and that does the trick.
My CB750 is similar, but not quite as sensitive. It'll keep downshifting until the bike slows to around 5 mph or less. The CB11 seems hesitant under 10 mph.
Posts: 402
Threads: 59
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Feb 2015
I put Kury grips on my new 1100 and quickly had down shifting problems. A change to a lower number on the clutch handle dial solved the problem.
Been shifting motorcycles since 1980.
Posts: 1,229
Threads: 68
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2013
When downshifting through gears you have to clear meaning don't come to a stop in 2nd or third gear. Let each gear have a positive downshift until in second than go to neutral before you stop. No tranny likes to shift from 5 (or 6th) to 4th or 3rd with the same clutch pull. The tranny's today are much better than the past but still require you clear synchros.
Think of riding a bicycle, when you shift you have to be pedaling in order to get a positive shift, same goes for a motorcycle you have to be moving. Trucks often have to double clutch to synch the tranny.
Posts: 1,672
Threads: 41
Likes Received: 140 in 67 posts
Likes Given: 39
Joined: Apr 2014
No synchros in bikes trannys, and no harm in shifting down through the gears at idle or low engine speeds, but chances of gear dogs engaging are not so good in the lower gears - let the clutch out a little, shaft speeds will change, and the gear dogs can engage. Never stomp on the gear lever.
Posts: 1,268
Threads: 6
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jul 2014
I agree along the line of what rocket said but for a different reason. Since all 3 of your described missed shifts are on upshifts, its very likely your footwear. Softer shoes or boots or sneakers are not good. You feel the soft material compress, and you think your foot, and hence, your shifter is moving more than it is, and you think you moved the shifter enough, and ease up prematurely. Make quick and firm movements. Don't baby it.
