Is this normal? (Shifting Q)

Just curious actually. A couple of times when I'm shifting to 2nd gear (I usually shift at 20mph) i dump the gas hit the clutch and kick up my gear one notch. Dump the clutch and give it gas and she's in second.
Now the Majority of the time, I shift up once and she's in Neutral! (I get kroil in today to fix my dash, she I'll be able to tell when I'm in N soon) So I shift again into second, but by this time she's down to like 13mph. Now I'm new manual transmisions, but I dont think vehicles likes being shifted at low RPM/speeds.
Is this normal?
Do most you guys have to shift once or twice to get to second?
And what speed/rpm do you personally like to shift on your bike?
-SLKid

 

It shouldn't take 2 shifts to go from 1st to second. In fact, finding neutral is a challenge on most of these.

You might have a look at how the shift lever is mounted. If it's adjusted so you don't get good throw when lifting your toes it might cause this.

 

As Micarl said mine shifts very smooth into 2nd and if you aren't careful when trying to get to nuetral you will blow right past into second.

 

I sometimes have issues flippin into 2nd as well, but i think that's just my own fault in trying to shift too fast and not hard enough

 

I got a PM from SLKid asking for clarification. I'll summarize here.

The dogs on the gears are undercut to pull them into place. So, as you shift from 2nd to 3rd the 3rd gear dogs start pulling the gear into place half way through the shift. You can just throw the lever half way and the dogs complete the sift for you.

Between 1st and 2nd is a bit different. There is a gap between 1st releasing and the dogs on 2nd engaging. This is Neutral. If you only throw the lever half way the 2nd gear dogs aren't engaged to complete the shift for you.

My suggestion was that the lever might be adjusted a bit high, making it awkward to achieve the full throw on an upshift. Not noticeable on the other shifts because the dogs go ahead and pull it into gear.

Alternative is a bent 2nd gear shift fork.

 

I have had this problem on my bike and I attribute it to 2 things. One I think my shift lever is adjusted a bit high and in all reality is probably the bulk of the problem. Since I changed oil though shifting into 2nd is a lot easier.

 

Agreed, oil really helped mine shift smoother as well.
But I also know that if I don't go full hog when I shift into second, it's not gonna go.

If you are worried about shifting into second with revs/speed down, don't. Just give a quick blast of throttle to get your revs back up and let clutch out a bit slower. Works like a charm.

 

Oil could be it too. I could use another Oil change. There was gas in my crankcase a month back so I changed the oil after I fixed the problem. I've got 10w40 Valvoline 4 stroke Motorcycle oil in currently. Should I change that? (spec for my bike is 20w40)
KRS, I figure thats also my problem. I ran her today and paid closer attention to pushing up hard enough and she ran pretty good. (Shifting at 12mph and again to third at 27)
Appreciate it fellas!
-SLKid

 

12 mph? You shift kind of early. Just my opinion.

I usually don't hit 2nd until around 45 mph. (kidding)

 

Well, usually I shift between 15 and 20. But I thought I'd try it at a lower speed in case I shifted to Neutral again. (Tach is acting wierd so I'm going by mph instead of Rpm..)
But usally 1st to 2nd at 15-20mph 2nd to 3rd at 25-30mph 3rd to 4th at 45mph and 4th to 5th at 60.
Think i need to up my shifts from 2nd to 3rd though.. maybe 30-35. I'm still gettin the feel for this whole Manual thing!

 

You need to fix your tach. You are horribly "short shifting" that poor motor, it needs to REV. It won't pull very well from 2K rpms, and if you shift going that slow you're bogging the poor thing.

 

I shift at 3500-4500k rpms in normal traffic. and 9-9500 when I am feeling gitty of course on the X you can only do that 1st to 2nd cause if you do it in third you way way over any local road speed limit.

 

You can break the law in third with a 550 too...

Sorry didn't give more "shift point" advice earlier;
I too usually run 4K-5K in traffic; 7000 getting up to highway speed; and 9-9500 is for "rocketing into the distance" after passing a car, or if I have to stuff it down a cog or two to put down some serious zoom-zoom on the freeway.

When I'm playing "bumper tag" in morning rush-hour boulevard traffic, I like to KEEP 3500-4 grand on the tach so I can squirt ahead if necessary.
I hardly use sixth under 50-60mph ever.

Fix your tach, like I said; but these motors like to rev and it takes a lot of folks (including myself) a bit of getting used to the F1-car rev levels in traffic. These motors run their best from 4K-9K so you won't hurt it, honest.

 

"I hardly use sixth under 50-60mph ever."

Hmmm the missing gear from my bike it would be sooo nice to have a 6th gear on the X.

 

lol i rev her hard and she seems to do well. and as far as shifting from first to second i make sure i hit the end of the throw with my toe. that way im solid in second but i dont use a clutch till i come to a stop. im going to get reemed of for that but theres no need motor cylces as long as you drop the throlled like you were using a clutch shell do fine. none of my friends have ever blown a tranny without using a clutch so i think im safe. neutral is a hard thing to find on these bikes but i guess they are designed to skip it when moving. not sure but i cant get in neutral if i moving forward.

 

Thanks Ranger and Fitz! That was the EXACT answers I was looking for. I appreciate it!
Tach is the next thing. I'm not sure how to fix it yet. Thats next I guess.
Should definatly invest in a shop and owners manual....
I just wasnt sure if I was pushing her too hard, but appearently from ya'll explanations, these beasts like it like that! Cool!
Not that I'm gonna get myself in trouble or anything
-SLKid 8)

 

Changed oil today. Looked NASTY cause the seafoam ate everything out of the crankcase. So, new oil new filter. Petcock parts came in. Installed. Sweet. Goin for a ride
-SLKid

 

I hope this ride is better than your last one ...

 

It was great. I've been taking everything everyone's said about riding into serious consideration when I ride. And the more I practice the more I learn. And its awesome.
Thanks again!
-SLKid

 

How SUHWEET it is, too. For me, it's no trade-off, I LIKE chain drive. Prefer it actually.

 

The Royal Purple Max Cycle 20w50 REALLY smoothed out the shifts on mine!

I guess the XJ1100s are supposed to have really notchy shifting but after a couple hundred miles mine is so smooth you can"t hardly feel the shift.