The Yamaha Road Star Warrior Forum

I have been noticeing that when I down shift it seems to be difficult to find the next gear. Sometimes I have to let out the clutch to "engage" the gear in order to continue down shifting. I changed the oil about 1000 miles ago to Castrol Syntech 20w50. Does this sound like a clutch problem or could it be oil related? Up shifting is fine and there is no cluch slippage. Cable free play is good as well. I have about 35000 miles on the bike and being the second owner I am assuming it is the original clutch. Not that it matters but it might, xharleyrdr was the preveious owner and from what I've read she was rode hard. Not that its a bad thing

I dont think I know how to downshift properly so I dont really do it. BUT, I do know that at speed it is very difficult to downshift into a gear that is too low for the speed that you are travelling. So If im doing 80mph and I want to shift into 1st the bike will not allow me to. How/why this happens this way I have no clue.

This isnt exactly the case although i do know what you're talking about. I'm just talking about coming to a normal stop like at an intersection or something like that. Even sitting still at idle and running through the gears sometimes it will do it.

I was kind of wondering about that too. I dont hear of alot of people using Castrol but thats what i use in all my vehicles.

saddlebag:

Mine got hard to shift just before the clutch cable broke. BTW, Castrol Syntech 20w50 is the cat's meow of smooth shifting oil. I've used it in all my bikes for years.

Do to the transmission design it is virtually impossible to ratchet through the gears when the bike is not moving. Its a constant mesh design not a syncromesh design.

Adjust the clutch cable with the thumb wheel so you have some free play about the width of a credit card.

Try blipping the throttle between down shifts, its a technique that requires some practice. You should end up in neutral as you roll up to the stop light or first gear for a stop sign.

Its not set in stone, just the way I do it.

I didn't realize that oil is approved for wet clutch motorcycles.  Is it?

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=82915470&contentId=7032644

Wet clutch systems don't like certain additives and detergents.  Just wondering.

hdwarrior102:

I have been noticeing that when I down shift it seems to be difficult to find the next gear. Sometimes I have to let out the clutch to "engage" the gear in order to continue down shifting. I changed the oil about 1000 miles ago to Castrol Syntech 20w50. Does this sound like a clutch problem or could it be oil related? Up shifting is fine and there is no cluch slippage. Cable free play is good as well. I have about 35000 miles on the bike and being the second owner I am assuming it is the original clutch. Not that it matters but it might, xharleyrdr was the preveious owner and from what I've read she was rode hard. Not that its a bad thing

 Try some amsoil and see what happens (not to start the great oil debate or anything).

I have the same damn problem. I have about 3500 miles on my bike. The dealer said it is just the nature of it. But I rode my buddys 08 and it never did it. Like when slowing down.. rolling like 20mph if you try to go from third to second you need to let out the clutch for it to shift. Does it from 4th to 3rd sometimes to, and usaly when hot. Mine has done it from day 1. And the cable is adjusted. I run 15w50 mobil one. also did it with the yamalube.

Like Church said this is a constant mesh trans.  If you are coming to a stop and are in a high enough gear that the motor is only running 1000 rpms it will be hard to shift.  Just to avoid damage to the "dogs" on your gears you should pull in the clutch, rev the motor about 1500 rpms and down shift, this will help syncronize the gears, you will get less clatter when you shift.  But basically if you down shift at the same speeds (mph) that you up shift ( when riding reasonably) you shouldn't have too much issue, just rev the engine a little bit and it should shift very smoothly.

Arizona Warrior:

I didn't realize that oil is approved for wet clutch motorcycles.  Is it?