Hard Shifting

[Adirondack Bill]

I have a 2014 Valk  with only 2500 miles on it. In the past few months, I have noticed that shifting has become much more difficult.  Now I am not talking about the normal "clunk" into first gear or from first to second gear, I am talking about third, fourth and fifth. It almost seems like I have to "muscle" it into gear. At the start of the riding season, I changed my own oil using the regular Honda oil- not synthetic. I have been riding "Jap" bikes for 40 years- never had a problem whether I was using regular oil or synthetic.  I searched the board to see if anyone had similar issues. Some people switched to synthetic just for a little smoother shifting. But my difficultly shifting seem much worse than that. A Gold Wing should shift like butter. Could a change to synthetic make that big of a difference? I can't believe a $17,000  dollar bike should have an issue like this. Hondas have always been very good to me.

[14ValkyriePilot]

sounds like a hydraulic clutch issue. i would bleed the clutch system. sounds like your clutch might be under-actuating due to air in system/low fluid.

[Adirondack Bill]

Wow, 14ValkriePilot- With only 2500 miles?  I have never had this type of issue with a Jap bike, especially a Honda.  Fluid level is fine. But you could be right.

[AdrianR]

Synthetic oil should help...but if it's that bad I'd take it right to the dealer man...still under warranty..go for it...

[Robert]

I had a bit of trouble getting used to the shifting of this bike. If you put a very slight tension on the gear selector then pull the clutch half way down and give a bit more of a shove it will engage like butter. Not to much tension because I have had mine shift with a bit more tension without pulling the clutch lever. There is a difference when you pull the lever all the way in. When the clutch lever is all the way out this engine uses oil pressure to keep pressure on the clutch. I can feel the clutch slightly engaged at pulling the clutch lever half way on stops.  Synthetic will make a difference and putting some more miles on it will also make it smoother. I found myself concentrating to much on the shifting and finally said to heck with it and then the thing usually doesn't make a sound or bump shifting.

[AdrianR]

I had a bit of trouble getting used to the shifting of this bike. If you put a very slight tension on the gear selector then pull the clutch half way down and give a bit more of a shove it will engage like butter. Not to much tension because I have had mine shift with a bit more tension without pulling the clutch lever. There is a difference when you pull the lever all the way in. When the clutch lever is all the way out this engine uses oil pressure to keep pressure on the clutch. I can feel the clutch slightly engaged at pulling the clutch lever half way on stops.  Synthetic will make a difference and putting some more miles on it will also make it smoother. I found myself concentrating to much on the shifting and finally said to heck with it and then the thing usually doesn't make a sound or bump shifting.

Bob..I think the bike shifts incredibly well...better then my VT1100C2 did...I don't even think of it...but I do use the clutch all the time...like I did with my bike(s).

[Robert]

I had a bit of trouble getting used to the shifting of this bike. If you put a very slight tension on the gear selector then pull the clutch half way down and give a bit more of a shove it will engage like butter. Not to much tension because I have had mine shift with a bit more tension without pulling the clutch lever. There is a difference when you pull the lever all the way in. When the clutch lever is all the way out this engine uses oil pressure to keep pressure on the clutch. I can feel the clutch slightly engaged at pulling the clutch lever half way on stops.  Synthetic will make a difference and putting some more miles on it will also make it smoother. I found myself concentrating to much on the shifting and finally said to heck with it and then the thing usually doesn't make a sound or bump shifting.

Bob..I think the bike shifts incredibly well...better then my VT1100C2 did...I don't even think of it...but I do use the clutch all the time...like I did with my bike(s).

 I totally agree with you, I was overthinking the thing  I came out and without thinking about shifting it was smooth, quick and quiet. When I thought about it, I had problems so said the heck with it and things are good. The only thing that did catch me by surprise was the shift with pressure on the gear selector without using the clutch. I decelerated just slightly and had pressure against the gear selector and it went into the next gear.

[dinosnake]

I have a 2014 Valk  with only 2500 miles on it. In the past few months, I have noticed that shifting has become much more difficult.  Now I am not talking about the normal "clunk" into first gear or from first to second gear, I am talking about third, fourth and fifth. It almost seems like I have to "muscle" it into gear. At the start of the riding season, I changed my own oil using the regular Honda oil- not synthetic. I have been riding "Jap" bikes for 40 years- never had a problem whether I was using regular oil or synthetic.  I searched the board to see if anyone had similar issues. Some people switched to synthetic just for a little smoother shifting. But my difficultly shifting seem much worse than that. A Gold Wing should shift like butter. Could a change to synthetic make that big of a difference? I can't believe a $17,000  dollar bike should have an issue like this. Hondas have always been very good to me.

Was thinking about you during my ride. 

Usually there are 2 sources of the problem, oil-related (as these bikes share engine oil with the tranny) and clutch related.  Check your oil level, make sure you are well above the minimum mark but at or below maximum, and check clutch fluid level. 

The only thing I can suggest beyond that is to change the oil again.  It is also possible that a plate our two got stuck while in storage for the winter.

Otherwise you'll have to have a tech test ride it and then look at more - slave cylinder, slave actuation rod, throwout bearing, drum, forks, etc.  Could be anywhere.

[mrtappan]

I have a heel/toe shifter on mine.  It seems to work well but mine still does the occasional "ghost gear" if I'm not paying attention.

I find it hard to believe you may have slightly bent a shift fork.  I'd try bleeding the clutch like mentioned.  If that doesn't fix it then there's either something wrong inside the transmission or it's your imagination.

[Adirondack Bill]

First of all, I want to thank you guys taking the time out to respond.  Robert- I will try (pre-loading) the shifter with a little pressure and pulling half way in on the clutch.  Also,  I really am not trying to (overthink) this shifting problem as I have been shifting bikes for over 40 years, and I know how the shifting should feel. Shifting to me is automatic, I never think about it- (until the shifter starts fighting back)!  I have owned many new Hondas over the years, and shifting has always been smooth as butter.   Dinosnake- yes the oil level is fine- (I  change the oil myself ) to make sure it is done right, and the clutch fluid level is fine. I called the  STEALER, I mean dealer, they have not had any reports of shifting issues on the Valk. I guess I will change the oil again-(it only has 800 miles on it),  and switch over to a motorcycle specific  synthetic oil. Thanks again, guys like you make this whole web site great!