Gear shift

[amboman]

Should I be worried? Went for a short ride tonight and I think that I have a problem with my gearbox.  When shifting up at normal riding speed (within local limits) the upshift is not as positive as it has been.  Seems like the next gear is not engaging fully especially when changing into 5th gear.  At first I thought It was me being a bit pussy with the changing so I sharpened up and still have the problem.

Could it be an adjustment type thing on the remote shift lever itself or is it a little more of a worry than that?.  My bike is a New 2005 B12 with just under 500 miles.  I know that it is almost due for first service and wonder if this has an influence or not?

Will phone dealer tomorrow but would like to have a little knowledge before I speak to them.  I would be greatful for any advice.  

[amboman]

Spoke to my local dealer today and they were very supportive.  Dealer reacons that the Bandit gearbox is pretty bomb proof and thinks that it could just be that the bike is almsot due for first service.  Dealer reacons that the type and grade of oil can make a big difference on crispness of gear change.  Bike will go in for inspection once 600 miles have been completed.

Does this sound right to you guys????  

[smooth operator]

Maybe once everything gets broke in it will smooth out. I imagine that it has the Suzuki oil,being that its new. But if it does'nt work in,your under warenty anyhow. My bike had 300 miles on it when I got it,and went through the gears smoothly.

[Old_n_Slow]

FWIW my 1200s just went through its first service (at 700 miles) and I noticed the bike is running much smoother and shifting more positively, although I didn't notice any problem prior to the service. I know I sound like a dealer ad but it's the truth.

Let us know how yours works out.

[amboman]

Had no problem for the first 400 miles or so.  Just noticed that shifting up was not as clean as it had been.  I am hoping that a service will sort things out.  At least I have an excuse to clock up another 100 miles.  My biggest concern is my beloved Bandit having to sleep over a a strangers place  

[Red01]

Spoke to my local dealer today and they were very supportive.  Dealer reacons that the Bandit gearbox is pretty bomb proof and thinks that it could just be that the bike is almsot due for first service.  Dealer reacons that the type and grade of oil can make a big difference on crispness of gear change.  Bike will go in for inspection once 600 miles have been completed.

Does this sound right to you guys????  

Actually, yes. The type and grade of oil will make a difference. There are about as many different opinions on what oil is best as there are oils out there. Your first few oil changes you may want to experiment around with some different brands to see what YOU like best. Most agree the Suzuki (and other OEM branded) dino oils are not that great, especially considering they usually cost more than common branded dino oils.

It's not the shift linkage adjustment... all that adjustable rod does for you is adjust where the lever sits.

[ray nielsen]

The position of the gear sift pedal can make a difference.  On my Bandit 1200 I was occasionally missing a shift from 1st to 2nd gear.

By positioning the pedal lower I could complete the shift more easily and downshifting was easier too as I didn't have to raise my foot at much.

I've recently changed to Mobil 1 Truck & SUV oil (5W-40) and noticed slightly better shifting compared to Mobil 1 15W-50 that I used before.  Can't explain it but the shifts are quieter, with less clunk.

[amboman]

The mechanic did mention that the type and grade of oil could make quite a difference on gear change quality.  The wether has been disasterous so no riding this week.  Will get serviced when able to and let forum know results.  Thanks for reply's.

[amboman]

Dropped bike off at dealership today.  Awaiting to hear if gearbox has a fault or just needed a service.  WIll post results.

[amboman]

Update!!!  Picked bike up from dealership today complete with new gearbox fitted.  Apparently problem was with selector fork or such like.  The mechanic said that the fork had a factory defect that prevented enough movement to select top gear cleanly therefore a second take was often required.  

Bike is great now.  No problem with changing gear although seems a little chunkier than before.  Very happy with the service fron the dealership but now I am a little concerned that there could be other factory faults that have not been noted yet      

Will just ride and ride and ride and not worry to much.  I do feel reassured that warranty cover works given the service so far.

[Daytona]

Update!!!  Picked bike up from dealership today complete with new gearbox fitted.  Apparently problem was with selector fork or such like.  The mechanic said that the fork had a factory defect that prevented enough movement to select top gear cleanly therefore a second take was often required.  

Bike is great now.  No problem with changing gear although seems a little chunkier than before.  Very happy with the service fron the dealership but now I am a little concerned that there could be other factory faults that have not been noted yet      

Will just ride and ride and ride and not worry to much.  I do feel reassured that warranty cover works given the service so far.

   


Sure wish we had a chance to get an 06 B12 naked over here! The stealers here in town are so busy trying to push the Busa they don't even have an 06 B12 of any kind on the floor! If we could get the gsf1400 naked i would be on one today! Park it next to my 98 b1200s that i would have to let time allow me to give up!! Why so diff in G.B.? Has anyone rode both to give some idea of the differance if much at all? Got to be a diff eng "A"

[Red01]

Bike is great now.  No problem with changing gear although seems a little chunkier than before.  Very happy with the service fron the dealership but now I am a little concerned that there could be other factory faults that have not been noted yet      

Sounds like one of those rare flukes. In my 4 years on this site, I've never heard of a new Bandit with any gearbox troubles. Besides the oil burning piston issue with some of the '01 & 02 models (since corrected), the Bandits have been very reliable.

Will just ride and ride and ride and not worry to much.  I do feel reassured that warranty cover works given the service so far.

That's more like it.  

[Red01]

Sure wish we had a chance to get an 06 B12 naked over here! The stealers here in town are so busy trying to push the Busa they don't even have an 06 B12 of any kind on the floor! If we could get the gsf1400 naked i would be on one today! Park it next to my 98 b1200s that i would have to let time allow me to give up!! Why so diff in G.B.? Has anyone rode both to give some idea of the differance if much at all? Got to be a diff eng "A"

My dealer doesn't have ANY '06's yet...
The naked B12 got dropped here in the States due to sales below what US Suzuki felt was needed to be worth bringing it in.

Suzuki UK has a different mentality than their US conterpart. With overall sales much lower than the US, I guess they figure selling a few of a lot of models is OK. They get quite a few models we don't, OTOH, we have some models they don't. They still get B6 in S form as well as the never in the US naked one, the new B650 (in N & S form), both versions of the B12, three versions of the SV1000, and the GSX14. What they don't get is as many cruiser or dual-sport models.

I've never riden a GSX14, but from what I've read, it's got a little more torque than the B12 and about the same HP but at a lower RPM since it doesn't rev as high. 1/4 mile times are similar to the B12. It's heavier and slower to turn. It has traditional UJM ergos, a little more upright than the B12. My guess is since the B12N was such a poor seller here, US Suzuki saw no point to bringing over a bike that wouldn't sell well and doesn't share many parts with anything else.

[amboman]

I did test ride a GSX1400 before I decided to buy the Bandit.  Power felt almost the same but the Bandit seemed to have a more useable range overall.  Bandit in my opinion handled much better in the twisties the GSX was a bit of a heavy hand full took a conscious effort to lay over into the sweepers.

GSX is still another great Suzuki but it's Bandit all the way for me!!!

[RUSS M8]

So amboman I presume your Bandit did have to spend a couple of days at the dealer afterall.  I cann't imagine a diagnose, pull engine out, split, repair, re-install in less than 2 days!!!
Just a rare one I think, never ever heard of a Bandit/GSXR gearbox problem with low kays (only time they usually have problems is jumping out of gear after lots of wheelies!!!)