Failure to engage first gear ?

[bradders]

I have had a few instances recently when I start the bike and try to engage first gear. It does go in after a couple of attempts and is an intermittent problem. Other than this, the gearbox works fine.
Before anyone asks, I always ride wearing the same pair of boots !
Anyone else have this issue ?

 

[GSmonkey]

Its a feature of the bmw box and dry clutch setup. You just need some technique, when engaging first gear from cold:

1) Pull in the clutch
2) Apply slight upwards pressure on the gear lever like you were doing a clutchless change
3) Ease the clutch out and it'll pop in every time

Some background reading: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108072&highlight=gearbox

 

[david a hall]

on my 1150 its easier to engage 1st when the linkage has been lubed

 

[rob mac]

on my 1150 its easier to engage 1st when the linkage has been lubed

The one in your leg you mean? Now get back to the studying

 

[david a hall]

The one in your leg you mean? Now get back to the studying

i am

 

[littleredrooster]

Search is your friend.
Gear selection

 

[Sgt Bilco]

It may well be the linkage as it is a little prone to going dry. Pull the ball joints on linkage apart, plenty of grease or copper slip, put back together and bingo

Saying that, 1st doesn't always engage on mine first up but you get used to it.

 

[Mr K]

Its a feature of the bmw box and dry clutch setup. You just need some technique, when engaging first gear from cold:

1) Pull in the clutch
2) Apply slight downwards pressure on the gear lever like you were doing a clutchless change
3) Ease the clutch out and it'll pop in every time

Some background reading: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108072&highlight=gearbox

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Mine does the same.

If it won't go into first. I release the clutch. Then pull it back in again. It WILL go in then.

It's also happened on other Jap bikes I've owned, so it's not JUST Bavarian bikes it happens with.

 

[bradders]

Well I never

You learn something new everyday. Yet another BMW glitch

 

[Sgt Bilco]

You learn something new everyday. Yet another BMW glitch

It's not just beemers that do it so it's hardly a BMW glitch

Most bikes I've owned over the years have this same issue when cold.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I always put it into 1st with the clutch slightly out. When I first got the bike I thought the box was knackered until I read up on it. Simple physics, if the box isn't turning and the dogs don't line up you will never get it in gear. Clutch slightly out means box is turning slightly so you can get it in gear. Rocking the bike has the same result but not easy to do. They are clunky boxes but made to sound a lot worse than they are because of the bellhousing amplifier. I have had many a worse box on Jap bikes, least the BM doesn't have false neutrals where Jap bikes do.

 

[ovenpaa]

I always park my 1200 in gear (I got into the habit a few years ago with my first 1150) pull the clutch in and kick the side stand out and it stops. So no rolling backwards/forward issues whilst parked, harder to move if knocked and easy to pull away the following morning

 

[Kelv]

Its a feature of the bmw box and dry clutch setup. You just need some technique, when engaging first gear from cold:

1) Pull in the clutch
2) Apply slight upwards pressure on the gear lever like you were doing a clutchless change
3) Ease the clutch out and it'll pop in every time

Some background reading: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108072&highlight=gearbox

Hi I've got a 2010 GSA and agree with GS Monkey but I find it easier to apply slightly downward pressure to engage 1st gear