Bike Shifting Hard, help !!
 

Hi Guys,

I have a 2001 CBR F4i and it shifts hard when I put it in first gear. Do all bikes do this or is there something wrong with my bike?

Shifts hard isn't very descriptive. You mean that clunking noise you hear when you put it to first? Its usually normal with all bikes. Your bike may jerk a bit too.

^if its as Noizz described (sounds like it is), its suction friction from the wet clutch (normal on bikes)

could be your drive chain tightening. Your chain has no tension from the motor to the wheel when the bike is in neutral, so that initial shift into gear may cause a harsh sound as the chain "tightens" around the sprokets

yes, on my R6 as well

^^ perhaps your chain is a tad loose? tighten it up with the 2 screws on your swingarm holding the axle (unscrew to tighten)

^ not really, it's actually a known problem with the yamaha transmission. It got fixed in the 03 model.

sometimes, I have to roll my bike forward a bit in order to put into first...kinda weird

i think its pretty standard with most bikes

better oils sometimes help

same bike and model, same problem, its normal

every sportbike iv seen gives a clunk when u put it into first.i cant tell how loud it is by ur postobv,so id ask a few diff guys u run into riding what they think .betcha its the normal clunk,it unnerved me at first too

don't worry about the chuckling sound and a little shake when you switch gears, its perfectly normal, i have the same bike, same model, same thing when i switch gear. :thumbsup:

is the noise only present when your bike is cold?

it could be because your transmission is cold and the gears are not warmed up yet

this is normal

If you've never seen the workings inside a transmission here is a link that displays it very well. http://www.gadgetjq.com/transmission.htm
The weak link is the shift forks as they can become bent with the result being hard shifting or completely stuck in a gear. One clear indicator that a shift fork is bent is the accumulation of metal particles in the transfer case oil. If you have no bright metal flecks showing up in the oil, it is far less likely to be a serious mechanical problem.