This may be normal, but...(clutch activation when cold)

[Rider Rick]

Hi all, I've looked around for this scenario, but don't see anything other than a reference to it in an article on the R1150RTech info page. When my bike is cold and I am ready to take off after being in neutral, the first time I pull in the clutch, it is difficult to get into 1st gear. If I release the clutch then give it another pull 1st gear goes into place and from then on all seems normal, until the next cold start. At all other times, the clutch works fine, other than an occasional gear hangup going into third that has happened since I had the bike, and it even comes and goes.

Is this a sign that the clutch takeup could be needing adjusting, or what? I hesitate to try putzing with the clutch if this is just a normal condition of these bikes, thanks.

[kirby]

This is normal, allot of transmissions are like that (motorcycle) its common to the getrag. I am sure you will hear many techniques for this.No worries,
mike

[garr2]

TADT

[Buckster]

x3.

[Rider Rick]

I suppose the correct response would be TFTR

[milehighboater]

yep, I just roll the bike back about a foot and try again and it will pop right into gear.

[Rider Rick]

Thanks, MHB, I will try that sometime and see how it works.

[Boxer]

Disengage the clutch, hold and wait 3 or 4 seconds then tap it down into 1st. I found that to be the easiest way to get it into first gear when cold.

[BoxerSteve]

Disengage the clutch, hold and wait 3 or 4 seconds then tap it down into 1st. I found that to be the easiest way to get it into first gear when cold.

3 or 4 seconds? Seems too long to me. Disengage the clutch and put it in first immediately while the tranny is spinning; it often doesn't want to go into first if the gears are not spinning. Disengage clutch and shift into first almost at the same time is what I used to do on my '02 R1150R, whether cold or warmed up.

[TexasRoadster]

Have you tried replacing the fluid and bleeding the clutch line. You might have some air in the line or in the clutch slave cylinder causing weird behavior when cold.

[Ol' Jeffers]

I have to say that my 2002 R1150R has never given me that problem
but the first thing I had done by my BMW privateer engineer on purchasing the bike was to change all fluids.
7000 miles later she runs like a dream. I would suggest double-dipping the clutch when cold.