When I'm coming to a stop, I'll usually just use engine/lever braking to slow me down most of the way and just leave it in whatever gear I was in before slowing down. As I get near 10MPH or slower, I'll shift it all the way back into 1st and when I do, there's a significant clunk that feels much heavier versus downshifting into other gears while moving. Should I not be shifting back into 1st while still moving? Am I destroying the clutch mechanism?
whynotme
Yea I have a 500 and going into first some times is the same on mine.
Reason - I'm not sure. But I think I can say you dont have a problem.
I park mine in a garage in neutral and in the morning when I first drop it into first it can get a small clunk or a big clunk.
Do you have this as well?
Reason - I'm not sure. But I think I can say you dont have a problem.
I park mine in a garage in neutral and in the morning when I first drop it into first it can get a small clunk or a big clunk.
Do you have this as well?
For what it's worth, I just got back from a ride and kept your comment in mind. There is a bit of a different 'clunk' sound as I go into 1st while coming to a stop (not downshifting). But that's normal. It's nothing I would call 'significant' on my bike, a 2020.
I get a much clunkier sound on my KLX 250 dropping into 1st and it's normal.
If you think it's too wonky, have it checked on your next service call. I'll bet it's ok though. Check you oil level too.
I get a much clunkier sound on my KLX 250 dropping into 1st and it's normal.
If you think it's too wonky, have it checked on your next service call. I'll bet it's ok though. Check you oil level too.
Many cruisers, especially Kawasaki cruisers clunk when changing gears, especially going down to first. It's normal. I'm like you; I want to be in first when I come to a stop. It's saved my bacon a couple of times.
As your oil gets older and breaks down, it makes shifting this way harder. If you start having to hit the shift lever two times or more to get into first, it's past time for an oil change.
As your oil gets older and breaks down, it makes shifting this way harder. If you start having to hit the shift lever two times or more to get into first, it's past time for an oil change.
I also ride Vulcan S and I experience the same thing. I noticed that the "clunk" was not as bad when I slowed down more before shifting.
Maybe this is related to the speed with which bike is moving.
I had another Vulcan S before the current one and that one was doing the same thing so I don't think it's a problem.
Must be how they are built/geared.
Maybe this is related to the speed with which bike is moving.
I had another Vulcan S before the current one and that one was doing the same thing so I don't think it's a problem.
Must be how they are built/geared.
The clunks will be more noticeable as we shift into the lower gears while down shifting..let's say you shifted into first at about 5 mph..thats about what your speed would be idling along in first..so there is no shock...no clunk...it we just started jamming down gears it will clunk harder the faster you are going.
Its not going to hurt it unless it a rather violent clunk... but if want less of a clunk..don't go to first until you are going pretty slow
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I personally don't downshift multiple gears very often, always one at a time with rev matching, even on my Z which has a slipper clutch. And also agree on when I do the drop into 1st, i will let 2nd wind down until I am practically stopped before hitting down to first. I know you have ridden the bike a lot already, have you had the first oil change done yet? That may make a difference since during break in it will wear the oil faster as it gets contaminated a lot more in the early miles. When I did my first change on both my bikes (around 225 miles) I could visibly see the contaminants in the old oil. When doing second change a little shy of 600 total miles, no major contaminants.
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