R1100 R neutral issues

[Thew]

New to this forum and probably a good thing. Has anyone ever had issues with the R1100 R failing to find neutral? I stalled the bike in first and it feels like it goes back into second but will not hit the N spot. Any ideas?

[Witch Doctor]

It is not unusual at all, its like a rite of passage, because it will drive you nuts. One moment you can find it, next its gone. There was also a notorious sticky neutral switch that can drive folks nuts as well. If you stalled in first, it was most likely in second. Its a little quirky because 1st is pretty long, but play with it, and you will find it easily.

[Thew]

Thanks Doc. The bike is still in a strangers driveway until tomorrow. This happened a couple of weeks ago when I was on an incline. I messed with it for a short spell to no avail and then let it roll forward in gear and was finally able to find nuetral. This time it is level and I have tried to move the bike with the clutch in and then dump it but still nothing. Were there any special things you did when this has happened to you? I Love the bike but this stuff worries me and hopefully it is a simple fix once I can figure it out.

Any other thoughts are more than welcome.

[Witch Doctor]

No worries, you just need to get used to finding it. Its a bit of a pain at first, but after a day or so you will find it very quick. You will also notice that on occassion, you will find neutral when shifting to 2nd, it is because you didn't put into gear all the way, pre-loading will take the clunk out of the shift. If you are not familar with a pre-load just shift into 2nd and with a bit of force. R bikes shift like tractors at first if you are coming from a Honda or Kawasaki.

[Thew]

Thanks for your time and advise Doc. The way we got it back in nuetral was to put it on it's center stand and rock the back wheel back and forth while shifting the gears. My friend who sold the R1100R to me last winter was gracious enough to help out. I know it will keep happening and am wondering if there is a mechanical fix to this. Has anyone heard of a fix?

[Witch Doctor]

If you are on the bike with it running, pull in the clutch, downshift to 1st, then let out on the clutch just enough to let yourself know you are in 1st. Once you feel the clutch engage, pull in on the clutch again, and very lightly shift up (Almost like a slight bump or a half shift), and this should put you in neutral. When you downshift to 1st again, it should have a bit of a clunk. I would suggest working with it in an empty parking lot to get use to finding it.