Bike jumps when shifted from neutral to 1st - is this normal for a ST?

7kings

Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2018
Messages
55
Location
North Port, FL
Like the title says - if I'm shifting from neutral to first gear, the bike jumps a little. It's possible that this is typical for the ST (I'm new to them and the bike only has about 750 miles on it), but I wanted to ask. The shifting is fine otherwise.
 

7kings

Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2018
Messages
55
Location
North Port, FL
I'm used to the clunking of the Harley transmission, but my Harleys don't jump when they're put into gear - they just sound like they should.
 

regder

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2017
Messages
466
Location
Toronno
Perfectly normal.

A bike clutch has ~7 friction disks that are sandwiched by steel plates. With the clutch engaged, the pressure plate puts pressure on the sandwich which gives you forward drive. When you pull in the clutch lever, you are pulling the pressure plate off the sandwich. When you shift from neutral to 1st, the friction disks spin, while the steel plates stay stationary. When the bike sits, the sandwich sticks a little bit. That clunk you're feeling are the friction disks breaking free from the steel plates, as they spin while the plates don't.

Hopefully that made sense.
 

Nikolajsen

"Keep it simple"
Joined
Jul 1, 2017
Messages
2,046
Location
Denmark
Sometimes mine almost don't do any "jump". I haven't figured out what I do different..
It could be that when I drive immediately after start, it won't do it...
 

Dogdaze

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2014
Messages
3,040
Location
Solothurn, Switzerland
I just pump the clutch an couple of times before engaging 1st, most of the time it is smooth, occasionally would not make any difference. I never noticed it on any of my previous bikes, having said that, they were much heavier machines too, 1600-1800 V Twins.
 

hobdayd

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2016
Messages
192
Location
Alkham Dover UK
The plates are semi submerged in an oil bath. The oil film between the plates creates a viscous drag...changes with temperature.
 

tallpaul

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2017
Messages
912
Location
Whitworth, Rochdale, UK
Mine is worse for clunking when it's warm! You would expect it to be the other way around. My Vstrom was the same though, so no drama. It's normal.
 

Longdog Cymru

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2018
Messages
1,665
Location
Swansea, Wales, UK
Almost every bike that I have owned has done this. After just a couple of weeks of Super Ten ownership, I have noticed, (in line with other bikes that I have owned), that the “clunk and jump” is more severe on a cold start. Once everything is nicely warmed up, this phenomenon is barely noticeable.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,815
Location
Joshua TX
This bike also has the most drag I've ever felt when I try to push it around with the clutch in, and the bike in gear. I now ALWAYS put in neutral if I'm going to push it around.
 
Top