No Neutral after Long Ride

[dmk]

I just got back from a 2,800 mile trip to the Colorado Rockies from Chicago on my 2004 1150r. Great ride. But one thing kind of concerned me when I would stop the bike after a long ride. I would have a hard time getting it into neutral - sometimes I just couldn't find it at all. I'm just wondering if this is a typical phenomenon or something I should be worried about. I haven't done anything with transmission oil (i've got 8800 miles on the bike)and just had my 6,000 mile check up. Any thoughts?

[bransan]

Did You hear or feel anything abnormal? My guess is You got comfortable at cruising speed and just popped past neutral a couple times. With that low mileage You have many miles to go before You fully figure out that BMW transmission. Soon it will be old hat.
Check the fluid, or change for piece of mind. Inspect the oil carefully, any metallic shavings would indicate a problem. If Your convinced there is a problem, bring it to the dealer and get it looked at,(could be spendy!).

Good luck with that, hope it's nothing and Yer out cruisin'.

[azellner]

Was it possibly in neutral but the neutral light not coming on? I had an older honda that the neutral sensor dosen't work on when it gets good and hot. Works fine when its cold... A bad sensor should be an easy fix.

[sweatmark]

Dan - how's your neutral problem post-trip?

[reidmct]

It could be that the clutch hydraullic fluid needs to be changed. Hypothesis: During the long ride, engine heat boils moisture in the fluid, causing steam. Steam is compressible. Squeezing the clutch lever compresses the steam a bit, and does not fully release the clutch. Dragging clutch makes it hard to get into neutral.

[dmk]

I just took another 550 mile ride over two days and towards the end of both days it happened again - just couldn't find neutral for about 10 tries. I'm getting a little worried.

[dmk]

Re: changing the clutch fluid - I did that back at the beginning of June - it didn't act up afterwards at all.