CBR 300R trouble shifting back into netural?

[Rhys]

Cheers Mates,

Any riders having issues with reshifting back to netural with a CBR 300R? Been having trouble finding netural when at rest? Takes a bit of time but eventually I find it.

Next I have done the turn off the ignition and turn it back on a shift to netural.. mixed results.

Comments or suggestion.. is a harbinger of things to come?

On the pegs.

[onthewind]

How well is your clutch adjusted? Sometimes if the clutch is not disengaging properly the drag causes gear changing problems.

A little trick that we teach (as this is a common problem) is to 'feel' your way in to neutral by feeding in a little clutch while applying gentle pressure to the lever.

I know this may sound strange - it is far easier to demo than explain verbally.

But just try holding your foot on the gear change and letting the clutch out to just as it starts to engage.

You will feel it drop in then.

Have a play.

[paz]

Not much can be done. Are you seeking neutral from 1st or 2nd gear? Normally from 1st is easier, but you may find that on your bike from 2nd works better, and take an habit of doing so. Above comment is correct. Another is to replace oil with motorcycle specialized " one. If it is truly bad make a warranty claim as I believe this is a new bike.

[Bung]

Couple of things to add to the above. Unless you know its been done recently try changing the oil, try some synthetic oil like motul 15w 40 which is easy to find now and also check the gear linkages for play. Does it have any aftermarket footpegs? Sometimes they aren't made that well and have too much play making it hard to get that little half tap needed to find neutral. My sons msx has these and its impossible to find neutral without switching the ignition off first.

[seedy]

Try this -

Put bike into neutral while still moving forward. Even at a slow speed, like just before you come to a complete stop, it makes it much easier.

Well known problem on HD's - fix is as above.

[Rhys]

The problems have been comming up from first and of course down from second... it is a new bike, I have not even had first service.. I have about 500 km on the bike.

I'll check with the suggestion, onthewind...

Thanks for the help guys..

On the pegs..

[Crowleys]

Easier to get neutral from the second gear with my cb300. And sometimes when bike is stopped it's hard to get on first gear, if this happens dont try to force it, just release the clutch and engage again and you get the the gear easily. I would guess that cbr and cb have similar "issues"

[lust]

If u can't find neutral, give your bike a nudge forward or backwards about 2" and try again.

[properperson]

Maybe you ned to take the bike back to the dealers....

i've got a CB300F and the gearbox is an absolute dream and getting it into neuteral is a doddle.....

[English_M_in_Bkk]

I would suggest taking it back to the dealer and say <deleted> this is a new bike and I shouldn't be messing around trying to find neutral and then telling them to fix the problem.

[andrewrooney]

You said it hasn't been serviced yet. Maybe your clutch cable just needs tightening?

[macknife]

If u can't find neutral, give your bike a nudge forward or backwards about 2" and try again.

This^^

Like lust says, just move forward a touch and try again. Some new bikes have this problem usually it goes away.

[Gonsalviz]

High oil level or too heavy oil, clutch cable adjustment. Take it back to the dealer.

[thrilled]

Started riding motorcycle going on 50 years.What works for me on every motorcycle that I've owned.When slowing down downshift.When I'm around 5-10 mph I'm usually in 1st.That is the time to put it in neutral.

Or when I'm in 2nd gear and going 10-15 mph slowing down,then push the lever half way down into neutral.

Neutral can be A pain on most motorcycles when your stopped.If you practice this from now on you will never need to

Worry about neutral again.When you get stopped it will always be in neutral.

[jethro69]

Got just 55K on my Honda (not the CB300R of course), and it still behaves the same as described. What made it a bit better, was changing to fully synthetic oil. I use Mobil 1 5w40, it's 2400b for 6L, convenient, as I have to top up a little between changes.

[Rhys]

You said it hasn't been serviced yet. Maybe your clutch cable just needs tightening?

I'll be sure to mention it the mechanics... this is an honest shop and the guys have taken care of my CBR 150 very well.. and this is the place where I picked up the CBR 300.. and may by the end of the year, if the wife gives me back my testicles a CBR 650.. who knows.

I bring them in treats every now and then.. fruits, cookies, to let them know I appreciate their service.

But back to the shifting... I recall with previous bikes, having these issues... but the problem seemed to work itself out.

on the pegs

[wow64]

On my CBR300r its harder to get into neutral from 1st... I always go in from 2nd. Its just easier for me on this bike.

Give that a try. Half down boom you are in.

Edited March 31, 2015 by wow64

[Rhys]

Try this -

Put bike into neutral while still moving forward. Even at a slow speed, like just before you come to a complete stop, it makes it much easier.

Well known problem on HD's - fix is as above.

This seems to help...I do notice, it is when at rest, the trouble with finding neutral begins.. I just wonder if I still need to break the bike in.. now.. 4 months and have 400 k still to make 1000...not enough time to ride.

Thanks again

[eeeya]

I got the same problem on my cb300f.

Gotta be super light on the gear tap or it goes past with a quick flash of the N light.

I found it better since riding in boots

[Shurup]

All bikes have this but not to the same degree. I always try to shift to N while rolling to a stop.

1. It's easier to find N when the bike is warmed up properly.

2. It will get better as the bike wears in (give is a few thousand km).

3. It will get better after the oil change.

And regarding your 400km on this new bike, just go ahead and change the oil now, no need to wait until 1000km, when you can change it again. Some actually recommend the 1st oil change a lot sooner. It won't hurt anything and oil changes in Thailand are cheap.

However if it's really really bad, then maybe adjust your clutch or have it checked.

When does the clutch start "grabbing"? Is it close to the full in position or close to when the clutch is fully released? Try adjusting and see if it makes a difference.

[Rhys]

All bikes have this but not to the same degree. I always try to shift to N while rolling to a stop.

1. It's easier to find N when the bike is warmed up properly.

2. It will get better as the bike wears in (give is a few thousand km).

3. It will get better after the oil change.

And regarding your 400km on this new bike, just go ahead and change the oil now, no need to wait until 1000km, when you can change it again. Some actually recommend the 1st oil change a lot sooner. It won't hurt anything and oil changes in Thailand are cheap.

However if it's really really bad, then maybe adjust your clutch or have it checked.

When does the clutch start "grabbing"? Is it close to the full in position or close to when the clutch is fully released? Try adjusting and see if it makes a difference.

Shurup,

Thanks for the insights, and will head to the shop for the oil change and check. The clutch adjustment...hmmmm.. could be. I had the levers changed because my hands were cramping and had a little trouble pulling in the clutch and brake levers..... I noticed that's when the problem started, so I try again.

Cheers

On the pegs

[eeeya]

I got my oil done at about 750km. At apHonda in BKK. Just rock up and join the que. Oil and new filter, chain retention and check over the bike cost 560baht.

Cheap as chips and good to get a look over. Personally I though it better to get closer to the 1000k mark so parts got a chance to wear in and not only on the engine but other areas before they check over the bike and do any adjusting.

Coincidentally that was 750km of training wheels for me, messing up gear changes, dragging the clutch unintentionally and generally being abusive (from a learner riders perspective)

The gearbox loosens up and the bike generally feels a easier to ride after 1000km.

I wouldn't sweat on the N problem too much.

[Rhys]

I got my oil done at about 750km. At apHonda in BKK. Just rock up and join the que. Oil and new filter, chain retention and check over the bike cost 560baht.

Cheap as chips and good to get a look over. Personally I though it better to get closer to the 1000k mark so parts got a chance to wear in and not only on the engine but other areas before they check over the bike and do any adjusting.

Coincidentally that was 750km of training wheels for me, messing up gear changes, dragging the clutch unintentionally and generally being abusive (from a learner riders perspective)

The gearbox loosens up and the bike generally feels a easier to ride after 1000km.

I wouldn't sweat on the N problem too much.

Triple E,

Thanks for the insights.. Well, I thought at 1000K to the shop for the oil and general check for the CBR300.....I recall I never had this issue with the CBR 150..

On the pegs

[Beardog]

Rhys, Even though it isn't at 500km take the bike in to the shop . It is highly possible right out of the factory they put the cables in wrong. I had to disassemble my ER6n clutch & throttle cabling because right out of the box they incorrectly adjusted the cabling. the minute I worked on it everything worked easier. My 650 is the same as yours. If it isn't moving or cold it is difficult to find neutral. When your driving try accelerating it a bit & shit it in neutral while the engine is just a little gunned up. By 500 kilos or around there this problem should have worked out. I wouldn't be shy about letting the shop you got it at see if it isn't maladjusted. It may have been a Friday or a Monday made bike( either having a hangover or thinking about getting one) & they may have just set it to tight. This is a common event in Thailand.

[Rhys]

Rhys, Even though it isn't at 500km take the bike in to the shop . It is highly possible right out of the factory they put the cables in wrong. I had to disassemble my ER6n clutch & throttle cabling because right out of the box they incorrectly adjusted the cabling. the minute I worked on it everything worked easier. My 650 is the same as yours. If it isn't moving or cold it is difficult to find neutral. When your driving try accelerating it a bit & shit it in neutral while the engine is just a little gunned up. By 500 kilos or around there this problem should have worked out. I wouldn't be shy about letting the shop you got it at see if it isn't maladjusted. It may have been a Friday or a Monday made bike( either having a hangover or thinking about getting one) & they may have just set it to tight. This is a common event in Thailand.

Beardog,

Thanks for the insights.. I'll be seeing the guys at the shop...on Tuesday.. Cheers

On the pegs

[Beardog]

Let us know on either forums what progress you made!

[Rhys]

Let us know on either forums what progress you made!

shhhhhhhh....will do

[Rhys]

Let us know on either forums what progress you made!

First service oil change... many of you guessed it right.. the clutch cable needed adjustment.. now the shift up and down to netural are smooth and distinct.,

Thanks for the advice.

NOW.. if you have not done it or seen it yet... Take a look in the automotive section.. Lostinessarn posted an absolutely killer post and clip of how to shift with the hips and upper torso.

[performance]

On 4/4/2015 at 5:03 PM, Rhys said:

Shurup,

Thanks for the insights, and will head to the shop for the oil change and check. The clutch adjustment...hmmmm.. could be. I had the levers changed because my hands were cramping and had a little trouble pulling in the clutch and brake levers..... I noticed that's when the problem started, so I try again.

Cheers

On the pegs

It's the shorty levers they do not offer full clutch movement not a big deal

[AllanB]

I have this trouble on my 46k baht Lifan fun dirtbike, adjust it and it comes back again especially on a hot day, to my mind it is all about poor build tolerances. I just put a heel plate on the gearshift.

 

I had the same trouble with my Honda Phantom (horrible bike) and on occasion with a local Wave clone we hired in VN.

 

Even further proof that this 300 is Honda's lemon, it's a bad story nearly every day.