Gear down-changes?

[Avianblue]

I seem to be having problems changing down 2 or more gears at the same time (i.e. with the clutch held in). This is especially so if I'm in 5th or 6th at the time.

Basically it refuses to allow me to drop down more than one gear at a time without pulling the clutch in each time. This is kinda tiresome to say the least although it doesn't appear to happen in all gears and not all the time!! :(

Question is:

Is this a trait of the SV1000?
Is it a trait of slipper clutches in general?
Or is it something specific with my bike?

Is anyone else having this problem? My old SV650 never did this!

Dave

[Geoff T]

Hi my bike is ok changing down 2 or even 3 gears at a time, whowever i do have a feeling that there is somthing not quite right with the clutch in general with this bike, i get a really bad clunk when changing up through gears 2,3,4, and i have heard a few people complaining about bad knocking noises from the clutch and primary drive area (sounds like its about to throw a rod) at idle that disapears when you pull the clutch in Has anyone else got this????


Another problem i am going to bring up with the dealer next week when it goes in for the 600 mile service is the fuel injection the bike keep cutting out until the temp gauge gets to around 75 c
and then when it gets hot (100c) its starts to spit and cough when pulling away.


Geoff



:ryan:

[Avianblue]

The only 'knocking' noise I've experienced is the agricultural sound I've experienced at low revs on this and also the Falco and Mille before.

No probs with the FI yet either, although I've noticed that once warmed up it idles at just over 1,000 rpm. Doesn't behave badly at all, but the consensus seems to be that it should be idling at about 1,300.

Got my 600 mile service (okay I've got 650 on the clock) at the weekend so I'll mention the clutch/gear-change then.

[Normsthename]

My SV1000S has the 'Knock' it only started after about 400 Miles and has not got any worse (1600+ Miles now) Pulling the Clutch in and it goes. Somedays are better than others. On a bad day it sounds terminal!
Seems to be a very commom trait.
I find the Gearchange is Clunky only when changing at low Revs (Rained solid for the last 4 Days!)
Second to third is the worst, although at higher Revs it is fine.
The SV650 I had 2 Bikes ago was a lot worse.

:beer:

Andy

[Schneegz]

Avianblue:

So you've owned a Falco and a Mille? You're obviously a lover of V-Twins! Those are pretty expensive, exotic machines. How does the SV compare?

[Avianblue]

If only!! :rolleyes:

Unfortunately I've only test-ridden the Falco and Mille (when I was looking around to replace my SV650).

The Falco and SV1000 are very similar although the SV is definitely better around town (which is why everyone seems to stick a smaller front sprocket on the Falco).

The Mille was great and a real crowd-puller. But I got a numb throttle hand after just 30 mins on it which annoyed me. Its quite expensive to buy and own too.

Also there's a subtle but noticeable difference in the sound of a 60 degree and a 90 degree V-twin - and for me the 90 degree wins hands-down every time!

In the end the SV was cheaper, sounded better, was newer, more comfortable (than the Mille atleast) and 'should' be more reliable. Plus the fact that it handles like an SV650 but with the mid-range grunt you'd expect from a thou!

[tojoh]

So I'm not alone. With only 100kms (60-odd miles) on the clock, I noticed the rattle when in nuetral with the cluctch out i.e. At the traffic lights. It's not an alarming sound but I will keep my ear on it. I also noticed the sound dis-appears when you pull the clutch in.
My main concern with the clutch is this. I accidentally , officer, popped the clutch in order to wheel stand and a loud bang came from the clutch or gearbox. I also noticed this when test riding a Z1000 Kwaka and did not buy it for this very reason.
The bike had 400kms on it at this stage and has not done the same thing since. It's got me buggered, but it's not a nice sound to hear coming from your week old $18,000 dollar (AUS) motorcycle.
I have not noticed the difficulty in down changing more than one gear at a time in the few times I have done it. But I much prefer to go down gear at a time witha crack of the throttle to hear that lovely V-Twin rumble!!!

Catch ya's
Tony

[johno235]

Hi guys,
Just thought i would add my two cents worth regarding the above. firstly no probs experienced going down through the gears and the only clunk on changing is from 2nd to 3rd the rest are very smooth,the clunk is not a major,certainly a lot smoother than other bikes i have owned. Have detected that noise around clutch housing more of a rattle than a banging and it smoothes out once the bike has warmed up.On a trip found that the temp readout was around 89-90 degrees bearing in mind we are coming into winter here which in the North of the North island are not really that cold in comparison to Northern Hemisphere winters. Have done 1000 kms and bike is in for the 1st service. All in all it has been an enjoyable ride so far and reckon it will only get better as the bike in general loosens up somewhat.
Stay upright
Regards
Gary

[BJAM]

Hi,

Have put 900 miles on my silver SV1000s. I have had two occasions where changing down has had a feeling of being blocked (this also happened a lot on my TL1000R but never on my Ducati 996 or ST4s). It only seems to happen if you slow right down in 6th or 5th and then try to move down the gears without letting the clutch out between gears. If you try at speed then the whole gearbox meshes a lot smoother and down changes are OK. In the two instances I had to brake very hard and loose a lot of speed quickly hence being in the wrong gear and requiring multiple selections to recover. Under any other circumstances things have worked out fine with only 3 false neutrals over the 900 miles. Selection of false neutrals improves drastically as Suzuki's put on the miles so no worries there - just need to be very positive with the left foot.

On another point, during aggressive riding, the rear will lock up under engine braking with the slipper clutch not being able to cope - fun in the dry, makes the bike feel alive but not so good for the rear rubber life or in the wet.

[fugaziiv]

i'm starting to feel left out here, i've got over a thou on the bike, no leaks, no rattles, no knocking, no shifting problems, no weave, no running wide, it seems i'm missing out on all of the fun stuff here...

[tojoh]

Fugaziiv,
Since I'm a true gentleman and all that sort of stuff, and I hate to see anyone miss out, I'll swap ya bikes out of the kindness of my heart. Mum would be so proud of me. :P
Tony

[BrianUk]

Might be a stupid question but do you "blip" the throttle on down changes? I find that has always helpped get the cogs meshed nicley for gear changes.

Where are you from ?? I am in North Yorkshire and have about 1500 miles on my SV1000s. It has the clutch rattle, it had the leaking coolant pipes. So it seems a normal SV then!!!!

:angry:

[fugaziiv]

Tojoh, you are an absolute sweetheart.
haha

[jimbo77]

I too am a member of the no problems group. I've got about 600 miles on my ride, and haven't encountered any leaks, rattles, or downshift problems, or annoyances. The only issue I've found, be it minor, is a few false neutrals on some upshifts, mostly into second or third gear. I attribute most of this to not being used to the tranny yet. Also, I haven't adjusted the shift lever at all to fit my normal foot position at the shifter. Other than that, I have found this to be one of the smoothest shifting tranny's of any bike I've owned. It blows away the gearbox I had on my CBR929 (Fireblade for you in Europe and Down under). I hated the clunk the Honda made every time I tapped into first from neutral....

[BurnieM]

On a Cagiva Raptor 1000 (TL-S with TL-R clutch) it too did not like to down change 2 gears at a time either. Just a 'feature' of the gearbox design I guess.

[Nico]

This is my third Suzuki now two Bandit 12's and now the SV, I found all the transmisions to be faultless. Hit one false neutral just b4 I traded the Bandit for the SV but that just a lazy foot. The SV as with the Bandits is as smooth as you like, so much so you can change up and down without the use of the clutch although I do use it for most down shifts generaly and with a blip of the throttle. As for the clutch I am detecting early signs of a rattle.

Cheers :wacko:

[highrevs]

At 2000 miles no problems at all shifting or otherwise. I do get a really loud CLUNK on most gear changes at lower revs, kinda like my old '75. Doesn't seem to clunk at medium to higher rpms as much. Others don't seem to be clunking around so hope it's not a problem. I'm enjoying doing the routine maintenance myself and actually have the right wrenches for this machine, unlike the car.

[rjk]

Wow...this bike shifts smoother than any other bike I've ridden. And with it's torque, you shouldn't need to shift THAT often (w00t) . 3rd & 4th are my favorite cogs....can cover most any type of road :niceone:

[spirone]

No problems here....... I guess for once it's good to be in the minority :D

[jrl305]

My new "naked" doesn't have the clutch rattle yet. My 650 had it from day one though. I also noticed that my 650 has a plastic clutch cover and the 1000 is metal. Are the "S" models metal also? Transmission is slick, like the 650 and I have always blipped the throttle a bit on downshifts. Helps avoid the clunk. Every time I hear someone shift with a clunk, I imagine little pieces of metal getting chipped off of the gears. Learn to ride without clunking. It takes practice.
John
:beer:

[dburns75]

Hey all.

I just completed the 600 mile service on and noticed the loud rattling sound everyone has talked about. One other thing I noticed today on the way to work was a problem shifting up to 3rd gear and above. Almost had to kick it to shift. Did it on the way home as well. I made an adjustment to the lever heigth so we'll see how it goes on tomorrow's commute. Other than that she's a real beauty.

Anyone else had this problem?

Thanks! :niceone:

[rjk]

Whoa! I'd take your bike back in immediately if you are having that kind of shifting problem :shock: As for the clutch rattle...hopefully it's not a death rattle :whistle:

[ozthis]

i also am a member of the phantom neutral club.....who knows....i do have a question ....my dealer is trying to tell me to push the first service closer to 800-1000 miles. what do you all think HELP

[WISV1K]

I have about 500 on and very, very slight clutch rattle in neutral but that's it. No leaks or otherwise. As far as the first service goes, I see nothing good coming from waiting it out. My thoughts....earlier would be better than later.

[AlpineStar]

My bike has 3300 miles on it and has been faultless from day one.
I thought id have been unlucky buying the first bike into the country but it seems to have worked the other way!
My bike was the show bike at the Open & Direct Motorbike show in Belfast Northern Ireland - our National show just after the NEC.

[kitkat]

if you think your have a problem, try the clutchless down shift (http://www.sv1000.zyns.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12320&highlight=gear) :beer:

[bwgath]

Anyone know if they finally fixed the clutch noise problem for the 2005 models?? Second question, does anyone know what they do on the "500" mile check up? I don't wanna waste the money if all they do is change oil and adjust chain......I can do that! Any info would be great!

[kitkat]

engine oil and adjustments really to make sure that everything is ok, this is usually free from the dealer, 500 mile free service if the bike was new

[hsracer]

free? really? my dealership charged me for my 600 mile oil change. those pricks!!

[kitkat]

yeah, free first service, 500 miles, this came from my local suzy dealer, cable stretch / adjustment, filter /oil change, not sure what else, do you not get this over the pond?

[bwgath]

They told me that it was not free, the price would be based on what would actually be needed to be done, and yes the bike was bought brand new....go figure.

[TRIMNYC]

i also am a member of the phantom neutral club.....who knows....i do have a question ....my dealer is trying to tell me to push the first service closer to 800-1000 miles. what do you all think HELP

Had that problem in the beggining. Just when short shifting. I now rarely use the clutch when upshifting and havent notice any problems at all.

[Moja]

Basically it refuses to allow me to drop down more than one gear at a time without pulling the clutch in each time. This is kinda tiresome to say the least although it doesn't appear to happen in all gears and not all the time!! :(

Is this a trait of the SV1000?
Is it a trait of slipper clutches in general?
Or is it something specific with my bike?


That can't be normal. My '03S (1,200 mi) does not do this at all, nor my Shadow cruiser. For that matter, neither did my former Virago and Ninja. I also don't have any rattles or knocks or eerie wails from the dead...

However, I have had on rare occasion found the tranny to go into a semi-retarded state where it won't let me shift in either direction - the shifter goes up or down freely, but no palpable clicks to let you know that a gear change has taken place. I suspect though that I initiated these myself by pussy-footing and not shifting firmly enough, because ever since I started consciously giving solid jabs at the shifter, it has not happened since.

Incidentally, the only way to get the shifter out of that weird limbo was to slightly (and very slowly if you're moving at the time!!!) let off the clutch until it partially hooks up, and that appears to jar the plates enough to pop it back into a gear again.

That happen to anybody else?