Noisy gear change !!

AlanB

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
3
Hi all - Recently got a 2016 1200 ES with c 8k miles and serviced by Yamaha since new - Aware that engaging 1st gear usually goes with a clunk but noticed moving up to 2 and 3 is a bit noiser that i would expect - 4, 5 and 6 seem slicker.Not crunchy as such and no problem finding the gears but it just seems to be a bit noisier/less slick than i would expect - Following a suggestion i have lubed the pivot on the linkage but no difference - Is this in anyway typical of an S10 ? Dur a service soon so wondered if a change of oil and/or clutch fluid (prob never been changed) would help ? Any ideas ?
 

Old Scratch

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2020
Messages
92
Location
Northeast Alabama
I guess it depends on your reference. Noisier compared to another bike? Coming from Harley, the S10 shifts as smooth as a Cadillac on a tow rope. However, there is discernible change in shifting whens the oil hits about 1500 miles. It always shifts better after an oil change. Unless it sounds like mechanical interference or broken bits and bobs, I wouldn't get to wrapped around the axle about it. How does it down shift?
 

AlanB

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2020
Messages
3
I guess it depends on your reference. Noisier compared to another bike? Coming from Harley, the S10 shifts as smooth as a Cadillac on a tow rope. However, there is discernible change in shifting whens the oil hits about 1500 miles. It always shifts better after an oil change. Unless it sounds like mechanical interference or broken bits and bobs, I wouldn't get to wrapped around the axle about it. How does it down shift?
Thanks for responding - I have a 40 year old Z1 which changes silky smooth and you can not even hear a click !! - Down shifts are noisy too - Think ill change the oil etc and see how she goes
 

LivingNorth

New Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2020
Messages
16
Location
Quebec
I recently did an oil change with 10w50 semi-synthetic yamalube and it is more "clunky" than it was with regular 10w40 yamalube.
Will go back to regular 10w40 next change, it was smoother.
But you will notice at every oil change, it is smoother for the first hundreds of miles.
 

HeliMark

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2013
Messages
995
Location
Tennessee
Mine was noisy, and a little clunky at times. If I needed to just go around the block, I would sometimes not wear earplugs, and holy molly is the bike noisy. Not as bad as the Harley I had, but you will hear the shifts.

Like has been suggested, good oil, and make sure the clutch has clean fluid. Not sure I have ever heard of a tranny go bad on the bike.
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
4,516
Location
Ventura, CA
Most bikes will shift smoother with full synthetic oil than with conventional or semisynthetic in my experience. Good to inspect your clutch lever and pivot for wear too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Old Scratch

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2020
Messages
92
Location
Northeast Alabama
are you having to put a lot of pressure on the shifter? Or is it easy to shift just noisy and clunky? If shifting requires excessive pressure, look at the clutch actuator and reservoir. and inspect the shifter and linkage for bends.
 

Sierra1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,819
Location
Joshua TX
Don't count out your shift points. The "into first gear" clunk. . . . gonna happen. (as you know) This bike is so smooth shifting, that many times I don't even use the clutch. But, the bike's preferred shift points are different than any other bike that I've had. Or, maybe more accurately, the engine compression/braking is more noticeable on this bike, and can affect shifting. Like HeliMark, I don't hear the bike often (love my Sena). But, you can feel if your bike is happy or not. IIRC, she doesn't like shifting too soon. (low rpm) I can't tell you what rpm I shift at. . . . I hardly ever look at the tach. Like others have mentioned. . . . much depends on the bike you're coming from, 'cuz this girl is different. :)
 

Tigerkf

Member
Joined
May 25, 2019
Messages
86
Location
USA
I took the bike to the dealer for it's first service after I bought it and they used Yamalube. The shifting was always clunky!!! A friend who has over 2 million miles on street bikes recommended trying another oil. When I did my 4K oil change, I tried Rotella T6 15w 40 full synthetic and the change was dramatic. I will never put Yamalube in my bike again! So far the Rotella has been great!
 

Old Scratch

Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2020
Messages
92
Location
Northeast Alabama
I took the bike to the dealer for it's first service after I bought it and they used Yamalube. The shifting was always clunky!!! A friend who has over 2 million miles on street bikes recommended trying another oil. When I did my 4K oil change, I tried Rotella T6 15w 40 full synthetic and the change was dramatic. I will never put Yamalube in my bike again! So far the Rotella has been great!
People think that Rotella dont be like it is, but it do.
 

escapefjrtist

Searching for Dry Roads
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
1,418
Location
Snohomish WA
Both my well-broken-in '12 and new '18 shift very similar to the OP's description. Once warmed up the lower gears get better and behave what I consider 'normal' for a Tenere.

YMMV

~G
 

holligl

Find the road less traveled...
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Messages
2,212
Location
IL/AZ
+1, change the oil.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
Top