This is not uncommon and not a problem. Just roll the bike a little, either forward or backward, and it will shift easily from neutral to first.

 

Had that happen a couple of times to me. I just moved the bike back or forwards a little bit. Then it seemed to get into gear

 

Welcome to the board!

It could need an adjustment. If it's not working for you, call the dealer and take it over.

But, it could be as simple as the amount of pressure you put on it. It needs a definite foot. You've already tried different pressures though, I'm sure. And it's not a squeeze down on the shifter, it's more of a tap or a slap.

Also, sometimes between 1-N when I am starting up I've noticed it doesn't want to engage, but if I roll it one way or the other even an inch or two it engages.

Bottom line, though, if you're not satisfied with something about the bike, don't try to live with it, get the dealer to fix it.

FWIW

 

Clutch sticking??

I had some similar problems getting into gear, even had an issue where it slipped out of gear between 4th and 5th a couple of times. One day I thought my clutch was slipping as the engine speed was increasing without wheel power. Took it to the dealer service center. Turned out that my clutch handle was binding and not fulling releasing. Took about 5 min to take the handle bolt out, clean & lube and replace.

 

That happens sometimes. Just let the clutch out a little bit, and she'll drop right down into first.

 

My 1300R with almost 12,000 miles will sometimes not want to go into 1st gear if I stop in Neutral. I just let out the clutch, squeeze the clutch and shifting down into 1st. It is like trying to double clutch a real old fire truck, just backwards. Shifting down and not up.

 

+1 Bubba. That's exactly what to do. This is a common thing for all Hondas and Yamahas. Just let the clutch out, then back in, shift and you're good to go.

 

I always down shift to second and then drop it in low just before i stop maybe 1 are two mph and just hold the clutch in til light turns. you dont get the hard clunk this way.

 

This is what I do.

You're also already in gear, and if you watch your mirrors and see some as:icon_censole not slowing down, you're already in gear to move out of the way.

In that situation, it would be a bad time for it not to go into gear.

-Gonz

 

Yep, just let the clutch out , squeeze it again and she will pop right down into gear.

Technical bits are too complex for me, but something about the clutch wheel disengaged from the motor for long enough and not spinning anymore along with gear synchronizers causes them not to shift.

Another note, trying to find neutral on this bike is the hardest of any bike I have owned (more than 6 bikes), except when you don't want it to... Shifting from 1st to 2nd, and the infamous 4th to 5th phantom neutral.

 

what about not springing back to shift to 3,4,and 5

 

The not springing back is a sign of dirty linkage, wash it with something like carb cleaner or WD40 then lube with some lithium grease this should help.

the other is if you don't have enough clearance for your boot and it doesn't return far enough there is an adjustment for this.

 

Had to adjust my clutch lever, and works just fine now.

 

In the 700+ miles I've put on this bike, this has happened several times to me. The following tips helped me:
- let the clutch out slightly and press it into 1st, and it dropped in.
- Roll the bike a little, then try pressing it into 1st and presto.

Now today I had an unusual situation related to the shifting to first problem. I pulled up to a stoplight, holding in the clutch I slowly shift down the gears as I'm braking, matching the approximate gear to current speed. This way, if I need to accelerate at any time I can release the clutch and I should be in the correct gear. Anyway, I was slowly dropping gears and ended up stopping at the light. When it turned green the bike was VERY sluggish to start. It turned out that the bike never downshifted and I started the bike in 3rd gear. Since the bike was rolling while I was downshifting (and holding in the clutch), why wasn't it shifting? I too am worrying that the used bike I bought might have an issue that needs dealer attention.

 

Are you hearing it shift? You should be able to hear it. You don't have to be gentle either.

I've always downshifted to slow down using minimal brake. I've never had this happen on either VTX. :hmm2:
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Another thought too is that it is not a good idea to sit a a stop in neutral just in case you have to make a quick getaway.

 

I agree 100% That was stressed in the MSF course I took too.