Hi guys. I fully plan to properly introduce myself after I ask a question about the issue I am having with my new ZX14R purchased last week. After having searched the web and this site I am HOPING that what I am feeling at the clutch lever is normal for a bike equiped with a slipper clutch. If not, it's off to the dealer I go first thing tomorrow morning. OK, do any of you experience this characteristic?:
In town at 0 - 35MPH, up shifting and downshifting at lower RPMs is as smooth as silk, as felt through the CLUTCH LEVER. BUT, at highway speeds, let's say, if I down shift from 5th gear into 4th gear at close to 4000 RPM (I'm keeping it at or below 4000RPM for break-in), as I let the clutch lever out, I feel a notchiness or kind of a pulsing resistance from the clutch lever before it's completely released. Same thing occurs when continuing from 4th into 3rd and so on. Everything else feels normal once the lever is completely released.
I would really appreciate feed back on this as I am sick with worry that something might be wrong with my new Black Knight. 40 years in the saddle and I feel like a kid again when I throw a leg over.
Thanks in advance guys!!

Jim

1,2, and 3 shift "harder" than 4,5 and 6.

I think this is because of shift drum fork throw and recess/dog geometry.

This much I know: up shifting at high RPM is effortless... with or without clutch manipulation. Downshifts using the the throttle to match RPMs is effortless.

Also, when I came up on my 600 mile oil change interval I had a false neutral between 5-6. After the first oil change it hasn't happened since.

8300 miles on the clock.

Well, if it were me:

I'd drop that clutch and let her slip like she was intended to do. I wouldn't worry overly about that 4000 rpm line as I neared the 600 mile mark.

I'm NOT going to tell you to "ride it like you stole it"; some guys here like that approach but I'm a bit more conservative in breaking in my bikes (I too am an "old" rider and with an old gen 14 in my history as well.) Also, it is your choice how to bring along your 14 and you probably have your own history of success.

Having said that, I want to wear it in as I intend to use it: and that means mating the surfaces properly for their ultimate function. I bring them up and somewhat beyond the book recommendations by the mileage stipulated and take them to my (fully competent) dealer's service dept for the break-in service, get the oil changed and, having brought any troubles like you are experiencing to their attention for correction and for the record; take it back for some hard riding.
Specifically: utilizing the slipper clutch, hard braking, full acc, full rpm, etc. for some 1000 or 1200 more miles before going to synthetic oil and deciding then if there is anything that needs more attention than just break-in anomalies. Said anomalies should now be non-existant.

I'm suggesting that you might be treating it a bit too nice right now and all it needs is a bit more aggressive use to sort itself out. No offense intended; no assumptions made; just a possibility?

Thanks for the replies guys. But do you FEEL that occasional pulsing when down shifting and releasing the clutch at around 4000RPM? It's probably normal, but I'll call the shop in the morning, just for the peace of mind. Like I say, upshifts are as smooth as silk in the 3000 - 4000RPM range. IDK, some like to break 'em in hard and some, like me, go by the book. Have never had an issue with a bike afterwards doing that way. Hmmmm, I wonder if Ricky G. does an easy 1000 mile break in before banging gears?? HA!
Yikes, as far as bikes in my history, most recent few include a 09 busa, 07 GSXR1000, 05 busa and 03 GSXR1000. I ride with a bunch of old retired guys and I can truthfully say, we take very few prisoners! Gotta love rippin' it up in the canyons and mountain roads that surround the Tahoe Basin (I'm from Carson City).
Anyway, I do most all my own maintenance so I'll lift her up on the Pit Bull and change the oil and filter somewhere between 500 and 600 miles. I've already cleaned and relubed the chain twice now in 460 miles (can't stand that white grease crap from the factory flinging all over the place).
This bike rocks and HANDLES so much better than my recent busa, I'm in love!

* Last updated by: CCzx14r on 9/3/2012 @ 5:29 PM *