Neutral issues

woodlandsprite · 01-03-2016, 04:39 PM

My bike has always been fussy about going into neutral while the engine is running - it always likes to skip from 1st to 2nd and 2nd right back to 1st usually - with nary a blink at the "N"

Today while out riding, it was actually being fussy about hopping up to 2nd from 1st several times - I'd go to shift, think I was in 2nd, and turns out the bike had settled into Neutral instead of 2nd!

Of course when I stopped to fuel up, it once again didn't want to go into Neutral and I had to turn the bike off, then put it in Neutral.

Anyone had issues like this before?

detours · 01-03-2016, 05:33 PM

Neutral isn't always easy for me to find either. But I've only had incomplete shifts past neutral a couple of times on the RX3. On other bikes that happened when I used Rotella 15w-40. Also when I rode with new boots before I got used to them.

It's possible the retaining bolt on the shifter is loose too. Worth a quick check anyway.

woodlandsprite · 01-03-2016, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detours

Neutral isn't always easy for me to find either. But I've only had incomplete shifts past neutral a couple of times on the RX3. On other bikes that happened when I used Rotella 15w-40. Also when I rode with new boots before I got used to them.

It's possible the retaining bolt on the shifter is loose too. Worth a quick check anyway.

Thanks detours. I was riding with new boots and I had moved/swapped the shifter recently also to accommodate. Will recheck the retaining bolt also before taking it out again.

CSaddict · 01-03-2016, 07:06 PM

Please update this if you find the solution.

SpudRider · 01-04-2016, 03:44 AM

I'm confident Detours has diagnosed the problem, which is probably caused by either a loose bolt, and/or the new boots.

I have never had any problems shifting, and such problems are not commonly reported by other RX3 owners. The NC250 engine has an excellent transmission.

Also, I don't have any problems finding neutral, even with the engine running. I use Mobil Delvac 1300, 15W/40 motor oil in my RX3.

Lee R · 01-04-2016, 08:28 AM

Have a look at the clutch cable and chain slack as well to verify they're in spec. They can impact shifting as well. Mine shifts quite smooth but occasionally is fussy with neutral, usually rocking the bike back and forth helps.

woodlandsprite · 01-04-2016, 09:58 AM

Thanks Gents.
I currently have Maxima 10w40 in the bike. As I mentioned, it's always been fussy about getting into neutral while running - and I've checked the clutch cable slack. Will have a look at the chain slack too.

Might switch back to my old boots for a ride also just to see if that is contributing. The new boots have a taller toe box and are significantly more rigid and protective than my old boots.

kohburn · 01-04-2016, 10:03 AM

maybe its just me? but I almost never try to hit neutral when sitting on my bikes. I only ever kick it into neutral to start the bike and let it idle to warm up, or very rarely for an extended sit on the bike talking to someone.

mckayprod · 01-04-2016, 12:09 PM

I had the hardest time finding neutral until the last oil change, when I switched to synthetic oil. Neutral is still fussy, but much better. This has been reported elsewhere in the forum, but I wanted to confirm with my experience.

keithmaine · 01-04-2016, 12:16 PM

My bike always shifted into neutral very easily, sitting still or rolling to a stop, except after last weekends ride. Now the bike is covered in mud and due for the first oil change. I am confident that after all is cleaned, oiled and oil changed she will be back to the way she was.

Danimal · 01-04-2016, 12:39 PM

Folks. There isn't a modern wet clutch motor made that likes to shift into neutral when the bike is sitting still. Some are better than others but none do it easily.
Get into the habit of snicking her into N as you are slowing to your stop. You should already be in N when you come to a stop.

woodlandsprite · 01-04-2016, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohburn

maybe its just me? but I almost never try to hit neutral when sitting on my bikes. I only ever kick it into neutral to start the bike and let it idle to warm up, or very rarely for an extended sit on the bike talking to someone.

I'm in the habit of putting the bike in Neutral when I park it - mostly so I don't forget to put it in Neutral before starting it :P I don't tend to put it in Neutral when I'm stopped and on the bike.

rjmorel · 01-04-2016, 01:59 PM

Mine was getting hard to get into neutral with Valvoline oil with around 3200 miles on that oil change. When I changed it to Honda oil made it much easier to get into neutral. Maybe dirty oil cause hard neutral find or different brand helped in my case. Have around 6200 miles on bike . rj

woodlandsprite · 01-04-2016, 02:39 PM

thanks RJ.
I had to laugh. I was just reading the motorcyclist review and they said:
"there is a rumor that RX3s have a neutral position, and I can now confirm these rumors to be true. At least you will never miss the first-to-second shift because you'll never find neutral from first."

hmm. I'll keep an eye on it - my next oil change was going to have me switching to valvoline...(I've only got just over 500 mi on the bike - here's hoping this year is more productive from a riding standpoint, especially as I am finally getting more comfortable on it)

2LZ · 01-04-2016, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mckayprod

I had the hardest time finding neutral until the last oil change, when I switched to synthetic oil. Neutral is still fussy, but much better. This has been reported elsewhere in the forum, but I wanted to confirm with my experience.

Bingo. I don't have an RX3 but BOTH my Victory's didn't like finding neutral easily on those occasions that I was sitting, especially when new. Then I switched to full synthetic. Major, immediate difference. Never switched back to the factory semi-synth.

01-03-2016, 04:39 PM	#1
woodlandsprite Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 366	Neutral issues My bike has always been fussy about going into neutral while the engine is running - it always likes to skip from 1st to 2nd and 2nd right back to 1st usually - with nary a blink at the "N" Today while out riding, it was actually being fussy about hopping up to 2nd from 1st several times - I'd go to shift, think I was in 2nd, and turns out the bike had settled into Neutral instead of 2nd! Of course when I stopped to fuel up, it once again didn't want to go into Neutral and I had to turn the bike off, then put it in Neutral. Anyone had issues like this before?
	0

01-03-2016, 05:33 PM	#2
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	Neutral isn't always easy for me to find either. But I've only had incomplete shifts past neutral a couple of times on the RX3. On other bikes that happened when I used Rotella 15w-40. Also when I rode with new boots before I got used to them. It's possible the retaining bolt on the shifter is loose too. Worth a quick check anyway. __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol
	1

01-04-2016, 03:44 AM	#5
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I'm confident Detours has diagnosed the problem, which is probably caused by either a loose bolt, and/or the new boots. I have never had any problems shifting, and such problems are not commonly reported by other RX3 owners. The NC250 engine has an excellent transmission. Also, I don't have any problems finding neutral, even with the engine running. I use Mobil Delvac 1300, 15W/40 motor oil in my RX3. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	1

01-04-2016, 10:03 AM	#8
kohburn Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 537	maybe its just me? but I almost never try to hit neutral when sitting on my bikes. I only ever kick it into neutral to start the bike and let it idle to warm up, or very rarely for an extended sit on the bike talking to someone. __________________ -whatever you do, just be awesome. - 2008 Kawasaki Versys - 2016 CSC TT250
	1

01-04-2016, 12:16 PM	#10
keithmaine Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: White Mtns. NH Posts: 488	My bike always shifted into neutral very easily, sitting still or rolling to a stop, except after last weekends ride. Now the bike is covered in mud and due for the first oil change. I am confident that after all is cleaned, oiled and oil changed she will be back to the way she was. __________________ 2016 Versys 650 LT, 2015 RX3 Red, 2011 Ural GearUp,
	0

01-03-2016, 07:06 PM	#4
CSaddict Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 200	Please update this if you find the solution.
	0

01-04-2016, 08:28 AM	#6
Lee R Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 343	Have a look at the clutch cable and chain slack as well to verify they're in spec. They can impact shifting as well. Mine shifts quite smooth but occasionally is fussy with neutral, usually rocking the bike back and forth helps.
	0

01-04-2016, 09:58 AM	#7
woodlandsprite Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 366	Thanks Gents. I currently have Maxima 10w40 in the bike. As I mentioned, it's always been fussy about getting into neutral while running - and I've checked the clutch cable slack. Will have a look at the chain slack too. Might switch back to my old boots for a ride also just to see if that is contributing. The new boots have a taller toe box and are significantly more rigid and protective than my old boots.
	0

01-04-2016, 12:09 PM	#9
mckayprod Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dixon, CA Posts: 75	I had the hardest time finding neutral until the last oil change, when I switched to synthetic oil. Neutral is still fussy, but much better. This has been reported elsewhere in the forum, but I wanted to confirm with my experience.
	0

01-04-2016, 12:39 PM	#11
Danimal Banned Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 176	Folks. There isn't a modern wet clutch motor made that likes to shift into neutral when the bike is sitting still. Some are better than others but none do it easily. Get into the habit of snicking her into N as you are slowing to your stop. You should already be in N when you come to a stop.
	0

01-04-2016, 01:59 PM	#13
rjmorel Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 928	Mine was getting hard to get into neutral with Valvoline oil with around 3200 miles on that oil change. When I changed it to Honda oil made it much easier to get into neutral. Maybe dirty oil cause hard neutral find or different brand helped in my case. Have around 6200 miles on bike . rj __________________ Live Zong, and Prosper
	0

01-04-2016, 02:39 PM	#14
woodlandsprite Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 366	thanks RJ. I had to laugh. I was just reading the motorcyclist review and they said: "there is a rumor that RX3s have a neutral position, and I can now confirm these rumors to be true. At least you will never miss the first-to-second shift because you'll never find neutral from first." hmm. I'll keep an eye on it - my next oil change was going to have me switching to valvoline...(I've only got just over 500 mi on the bike - here's hoping this year is more productive from a riding standpoint, especially as I am finally getting more comfortable on it)
	0