Seems the more I settle into my 14, the more noises I notice...

I know that going from N to 1st will give me a nice solid CLUNK. No problem. But am I supposed to clunk from 1 to 2, and 2 to 3, etc? It seems that each gear clunks a bit less, but I'm a little surprised at just how loud it is going from 1 to 2. I am being very sure to have the clutch pulled all the way in.

I also notice that there is an additional clunk just as the transmission engages. It's not loud, and sometimes I don't even hear it. It seems to happen sometimes if I'm standing still, and just gently roll on throttle as I ease off clutch. It's a definitely click as if something is engaging... then if I let off throttle and pull clutch again, you can hear it distinctly UNengage...

Just wondering if this stuff is just normal from the strong transmission/clutch this bike has or if it's some sort of problem?

Thanks as always,
C

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am I supposed to clunk from 1 to 2,

sure, a little.

2 to 3,

..not really as much but maybe a just a tiny click.

I also notice that there is an additional clunk just as the transmission engages.

Pressure plates making contact. Happened on every bike I ever rode. Happens to the 14 and worse on the busa. What softens it out is to roll on the gas and get the motor turning as the clutch engages. I am in the habit of slowly releasing the clutch until I feel the clutch engage and then gas it. That is how my father taught me to NOT over-rev but I guess it lead to a bad habit.

You say you are rolling on the gas when you feel the clutch grab...and you fell it let go? That sounds strange. Double check that. (or maybe mine does it and I am just used to it?)

Everything else is normal. ...except you neglected to mention the rattle at start up. That's normal too.

I bet all this gets much better after a oil change. better for a thousand miles anyway.

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/27/2012 @ 1:26 AM *

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Heh, yeah I just had it serviced a couple weeks ago at about 7400 miles, though I've put another 1k on since then. Mechanic told me everything seems perfect, just wanted to ask about all these noises I keep hearing. I've had many other bikes, and my last one was a busa, but this is my first 14 and I'm hoping to get many, many miles out of this bike.

Everything feels solid, bike runs strong as hell. I'm used to the big clunk into first, I am just a little surprised at just how clunky it is through the other gears and wondering if it could be a sign of some problem.

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What weight oil are you using?...Dino or Syn?.Also...you can shift without the clutch with this bike.Not smoothly on the very lowest gears...at slow speeds(not recommended)...but once you get rolling nicely,you can 'toe in' the shift by 'slightly' backing off the throttle just a hair before you shift.Takes some practice to get the timing right.It has to be a very quick movement,and throttle application after the shift has to be smooth as well...otherwise,she'll feel like she's jerking into gear.It will work well downshifting in the same way.The higher the rpms...in from 2nd on up through 6th...the easier she'll click in.

Think of your throttle hand as a load interrupter.That's all you're doing...unloading the trans for a split second...not a huge 'off throttle' situation like you would do with the clutch(if you do that with the clutch lever pull).Actually...that time it takes you to pull the lever is accomplishing the same thing...it's unloading the trans from the power momentarily.You won't hurt anything by shifting this way.Just make the toe shift very quickly.It'll maybe seem a bit 'rough' at first,until you get the timing down.Smooth...that's what yer aiming for...smooth click and throttle up.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 4/27/2012 @ 10:01 AM *

Yeah, I use the clutch from 1 to 2 because I can't seem to get it smooth without it. Same for other gears if I'm using only very light or very strong throttle. Other times I've gotten pretty good at that slight easing off that makes the speed shift very smooth. Even when I use the clutch, I preload the lever a bit with my toe, just like I was speed shifting, except that I brush the clutch just enough to click it into gear.

Clunky clutch or no, I really love this bike!

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I've had many other bikes, and my last one was a busa

The busa has smoother gears than the 14 IMO. That is prolly all you are reacting to but nothing is broken. The busa is softer in just about every way....which is why I like riding the 14 I guess. They are both great bikes.

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Both of my 14's shift really well. Never any shifting problems. Never have a clunk problem with shifting into first because I stop the bike by putting down the stand so that the 1st gear will help hold the bike while parked and I restart the bike in 1st so that there is never any clunk.