Out for a short ride today. Was on a long straightaway in 5th gear and picking up speed when all of a sudden I lost power!!?? Well I shouldn't say lost power because I could rev the bike but it was like I was in neutral. But no green light. A million things ran through my mind as I coasted to the side of the road, did my clutch cable break? No that’s not it, Oh no did I blow the transmission??!! I was afraid to pull in the clutch or try to get the bike in gear till I came to a complete stop. Now I'm thinking great the one time I don't take a cell phone with me. I stop the bike look down still no green light, pull in the clutch and make a shift down, Clunk- I rev the bike and let the clutch out a little and the bike moves forward. Relieved I shift down till in neutral then first and back on the road and home. Bike ran like nothing ever happened. So my question is what happened? And should I have the bike looked at?
eRoCk
Has this happened to anyone eles?
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socalrob
- Lifer
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- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2005 1:30 am
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Sounds like you hit a false nuetral. Its happened to me a time or two, at least once when trying to make a fast pass in the mountains. I was given the good advice of not shifting in times like that. Not real confidence inspiring. I think its normally the result of a bad shift execution, if you make your shifts correctly, whatever that means, its less likely.
Because I was uncertain what if any gear would engage, or if the transmission might lock up, I pulled in the clutch, lost some speed, and shifted into a higher gear & let the clutch out gently & all was well with the world again. I think from riding 2 strokes, I'm always ready to pull the clutch in - in case the engine freezes up like 2 strokes were prone to do. Engine freezes, rear wheel freezes, you better be quick with the clutch.
Because I was uncertain what if any gear would engage, or if the transmission might lock up, I pulled in the clutch, lost some speed, and shifted into a higher gear & let the clutch out gently & all was well with the world again. I think from riding 2 strokes, I'm always ready to pull the clutch in - in case the engine freezes up like 2 strokes were prone to do. Engine freezes, rear wheel freezes, you better be quick with the clutch.
07 1200GSA & 08 Ducati Hypermotard S
& Honda XR400
Past-04 R1150R
& Honda XR400
Past-04 R1150R
Mine does that everyone once in a while. I think it is mostly my fault as a result of sloppy shifting. I had my dealer look at it when they did my 18K service and they said all is well and now I have the problem documented in case something happens at a later date.
Yer wanted by the police and my wife thinks your dead.
Been there, done that. You gotta keep a little pressure on the shift linkage when you shift gears. Sometimes you will feel the shift lever move up just a tad when the clutch engages because the gear engagement wasn't complete.
I've had this occur more often with a particular pair of boots that I wear. The boot's toe is different enough either through shape or thickness and that effects my shifting sometimes.
I've had this occur more often with a particular pair of boots that I wear. The boot's toe is different enough either through shape or thickness and that effects my shifting sometimes.
Security is a myth
Neutral??
I agree with others. It sounds as if it was not properly in gear and the slipped into a false neutral. It usually happens with a significant audience. 
It's only a problem if it persists. It could be the bike but most likely, and hopefully, it's the rider and can be correct with a more positive shifting technique.
It's only a problem if it persists. It could be the bike but most likely, and hopefully, it's the rider and can be correct with a more positive shifting technique.