K11 Owners Group

[poetryandmotorbikes]

Hi guys,

I thought I'd post a question that I've always wondered. This seems to be a good community of knowledgeable people and if I dont ask, I'll never know.

On every bike I've ever riden, I've noticed that at high RPM, when you shift from second to first, going through neutral, occasionally I'll hear a cracking, or grinding, as if gears were being spun or locked into each other. Occasionally when I hear it, the bike will be stuck in neutral until I give it a harder kick.

What is this sound? How does it work? Why does it happen?

I know that on my new K-bike this occurs quite frequently. On my girlfriends F650CS, it happens only gently every now and then.

Cheers,
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1992 K75S

Motopoeta | Beautiful Vintage Motorcycles Daily

[RobWheatley]

Downshifting too early, not pulling the clutch in far enough, bike needs a spline lube, it could be any of these, K bikes dont have have syncro gears they have dog clutches and you could be just expecting too much shifting into 1st at high rpm.

Why would you need to downshift at high rpm into 1st anyway, with my K 1st is only needed when pulling away or filtering through traffic and that is NEVER at high RPM.
Rob
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1999 K1100LTIC Smooth and Quiet Cruise, BFD & HID
1996 K1100RS. dead but not forgotten.

[Flying Duck]

I can't see any reason to switch back into first while moving, much less at high RPM.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[Saltcreek]

I agree. I never downshift into first until almost stopped and only use it for rolling off and low speed maneuvers with clutch and rear brake.
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium