1st Gear difficult to engage

[Ropey]

Not a biggy but my new 07 reg 12GS can be a bugger to get into first gear, it really only happens when starting off cold and only way I found was to paddle forward a few feet and she engages no problem... Anyone have this and any tips/tricks... Being a short@rse it can be difficult at times...

 

[[email protected]]

was told

they all do that sir, best bet is not to pull clutch all the way back to the bar but leave about an inch or so, mine usually goes in first time doing this, wont go in at all if back to bar, its call charm or something like that

 

[John Armstrong]

Pre-load the gear lever then pull the clutch in.

It always sounds and feels agricultural when cold and going into first

 

[shugie]

It's quite easy once you get the knack of it, it seems to be a standard BMW gearbox feature, my 1150 did it as well.

 

[GSmonkey]

Slight pressure down on the gear lever as you let the clutch out - goes in every time from cold. Just a characteristic of the box, there's a good link to the technical reasons for this if you care to look (essentially due to the dry clutch)

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

It's perticularly noticable if you've come straight from a Jap bike where you need to pull the clutch in about 5 minutes before engaging first to prevent it crunching.

Try pulling the clutch in and clicking into first immediately, Should slot straight in!

 

[littleredrooster]

Explanation here:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showpost.php?p=210500&postcount=11

 

[Ropey]

Cheers guys... works a treat

 

[SJPB1982]

I had the same issue at first, but i had it on an old bike I had some years ago and found that if you stand on the gearlever and slowly let the clutch out it will click into gear

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

The benefit, compared to other bikes, is that you'll never struggle to find neutral when you come to a halt.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

Nice easy box

".....they all do that sir,...." Well, mine (a 2008 model) does not. Should i tae it back and have a clonk put in to retain the 'character' of a BM

 

[Oberon]

1st gear blues

It's perticularly noticable if you've come straight from a Jap bike where you need to pull the clutch in about 5 minutes before engaging first to prevent it crunching.

Try pulling the clutch in and clicking into first immediately, Should slot straight in!

I tried it this way, makes a huge difference

Oberon

 

[GSband]

+1 for the link in post 7 : that's the right explanation.

 

[littleredrooster]

+1 for the link in post 7 : that's the right explanation.