Neutral instead of 2nd Gear

[bob109]

I'm currently on my second oil change with Rotella T6 5W40 Synthetic and have a occasional "missed shift into second gear". It is definitely rider error in not "crisply shifting. If you are paying attention to operating the 6 and not daydreaming the trans works as designed. I've had several "heavy cruisers" and one required a fluid change on the hydraulic activated clutch to improve shifting.

Not sure but after nearly 20K miles of riding I may change the DOT 4 on the 6. Probably wouldn't hurt and may actually improve things

[FlatSixBagger]

Yes it is a bike quirk, they commented on that issue in Visor Down and Rider and Cycle World, if you shift a little late it is less likely to happen, over 20 MPH.

[SmallPasture]

As crazy as it sounded to me this pre-loading (lifting up on the gearshift just before pulling in the clutch) does work. It took some un-learing but for the most part it makes the shift from 1 to 2 almost unnoticeable. Plus ya gotta get up in the rpms a bit. There is a good thread here on clunk shifting or something like that.

[Texas TC]

Personally, I have not experienced this issue in my F6B. I certainly had it on my previous two full Wings. I am running Kury mini boards on this motorcycle and their positioning wedges my foot more between the floor board and the shifter than with the standard pegs. That could actually help me have more positive shifts in all gears.

Also, the F6B is the first wing I have owned that has not experienced ghost or phantom shifts. My previous full Wings would periodically up or down shift under power. I am certainly glad this bike does not have those quirks.

[Darren]

Ever since I've been riding Honda's reputation for gear boxes has been that they are a bit clunky and require positive input from the rider. Even in their race rep bikes, Suzuki on the other hand build some of the sweetest gear boxes ever.

[jakec]

Honda changed the transmissions on the 2014 models, they are much stronger and should shift better.

[srt8-in-largo]

I'm running the Kuryakin heel-toe shifter which "seems" to make missing 2nd easier...

We could call this rider error because with the proper technique it will never happen. On the otherhand we could also call it transmission design error because it doesn't need to be like this.

All in all it's a TINY issue to overcome and there's still no other bike in the world I'd rather have.

[jakec]

On 2013 and earlier flat six 1800 engines it was a design error. Many transmissions had to be replaced because of ghost shifting. If your out of warranty the cost is about $5000.00. Honda finally stepped up to the plate and changed the dogs on the gears in 2014. If you have a 2013 and plan to keep it I would buy the extended warranty.

[Slingah]

Happens to me quite frequently. I need to put a little more oomph on the up shift to 2nd.
It is a tad annoying.

[srt8-in-largo]

At what mileage does ghost shifting begin to appear? Is it there from the beginning or does it only start happening after X miles.

I put about 1500 miles on mine and so far so good (no ghost shifting).