Tips needed for smooth shifting

[pearlscott]

I approach my new (to me) 99 R1100R with all the finesse (or lack thereof) of shifting an old Honda or a crotchrocket. As most of you would know, that does give me lots of clunks and other noises during the gear changing. My question to you all is... what is the best technique for smooth gear changes on these bikes? I know there must be a way to finesse the gear changes smoothly... and I need your tips on how to do it. Lay them on me, and thanks in advance.

Mark

[decimus]

Nothing beats practice
That said: I've learned that when DOWNSHIFTING, if I give the throttle a slight goose right before the shift, it comes off much smoother.
Otherwise you get a big CLUNK and high RPM bump. With a little practice your downshifts will be nice and smooth.

[SLEDGE]

The trans. on these bikes likes to be shifted rappeddly.The faster you shift the smoother. Works for me,has to do with the type of syncrose the tans. uses.Match those rpm;s on down shift.Enjoy the bike,I love my '98.
R.D.

[pearlscott]

Decimus & Sledge,

Thank you both for your suggestions. I've got the downshifting down pat. Just the upshift is sometimes smooth, and sometimes not. I'll work on making the shift more rapid.

I love this bike too. I can see myself enjoying this for many years to come.

Cheers,

Mark

[The Meromorph]

For up-shifting, proper (and smooth) technique is to preload the shifter with your foot, then 'fan' the clutch lever quickly, just enough to take the pressure off for an instant. The gear slips in with a smooth quiet 'snick', and your passenger (if any) may not even notice.


The alleged 'clunky' and 'agricultural' gearbox, is an undeserved calumny mostly from moto-journalists, who aren't aware of the proper technique. The input shaft to the gearbox is spinning much faster on the R bikes than on those with a 'primary drive', and simply requires a different technique.

[pearlscott]

Meromorph,

Thanks for the info. I'll give that a try, though it seems it will take a little bit to get it down pat. When it goes smooth, it is so nice... when clunky, it feels all wrong. I'll try preloading the shifter as you suggest, and let you guys know how it goes.

Mark

[pearlscott]

Meromorph,

You are indeed correct... preloading the shifter gives smooth shifting every time. Thanks so much! I was tired of making clunks, and now that can be a thing of the past.

Cheers,

Mark