False neutral in 5th and 6th gear

19336 Views 58 Replies 25 Participants Last post by se7en, Oct 29, 2018

vader

Discussion Starter · Jul 5, 2017

Hello all,

Just wanted to ask if anybody else is experiencing this? So whether I use the quick shifter or the clutch, I would find neutral when shifting up to 5th or 6th gear (only happened once in 6th) causing my rpms to jump. When this happens, I would hold the clutch all the way in and shift up/down to get it back into gear which causes the gears to grind. This is very concerning because its a brand new bike. Dealer first said that I was being too soft when changing gears but after the second time this happened, I was making sure I'm being firm with my shifting but it has happened 5 times within a 100 miles. I've only ridden the bike a few times but seems to be happening 15-20 minutes into riding (sometimes a little longer). Dealer said they will take a look at it when I bring in my bike for the first service at 600 miles. It's really annoying when one of the sales rep said neutral is between 1st and 2nd, that's impossible... :|

If they can't find the problem, any advice would be helpful. Thanks all.

1 - 20 of 59 Posts

TheKaric

· #2 · Jul 5, 2017

vader said:
Hello all,

Just wanted to ask if anybody else is experiencing this? So whether I use the quick shifter or the clutch, I would find neutral when shifting up to 5th or 6th gear (only happened once in 6th) causing my rpms to jump. When this happens, I would hold the clutch all the way in and shift up/down to get it back into gear which causes the gears to grind. This is very concerning because its a brand new bike. Dealer first said that I was being too soft when changing gears but after the second time this happened, I was making sure I'm being firm with my shifting but it has happened 5 times within a 100 miles. I've only ridden the bike a few times but seems to be happening 15-20 minutes into riding (sometimes a little longer). Dealer said they will take a look at it when I bring in my bike for the first service at 600 miles. It's really annoying when one of the sales rep said neutral is between 1st and 2nd, that's impossible... :|

If they can't find the problem, any advice would be helpful. Thanks all.

Not to sound like I am being contrary, but there is an entire thread on this.

The just of it is that it happens, it gets better, and usually adjusting your shift lever (also a thread on this, and in the manual) and changing out the first oil seems to make it much better.

For me it was more the shift lever adjustment and properly setting my clutch lever to the right amount of travel.

Hopefully this gets you pointed in the right directions. (Those other threads have way more information if this wasn't enough)

Reactions: 1

vader

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 5, 2017

TheKaric said:
Not to sound like I am being contrary, but there is an entire thread on this.

The just of it is that it happens, it gets better, and usually adjusting your shift lever (also a thread on this, and in the manual) and changing out the first oil seems to make it much better.

For me it was more the shift lever adjustment and properly setting my clutch lever to the right amount of travel.

Hopefully this gets you pointed in the right directions. (Those other threads have way more information if this wasn't enough)

Ok thanks, I'll check out the other threads. Thought I went through every single one of them but must have missed that one.

TheKaric

· #4 · Jul 5, 2017

vader said:
Ok thanks, I'll check out the other threads. Thought I went through every single one of them but must have missed that one.

It's actually buried in the DQS Discussion thread (in the Issues, Problems, Complaints), so I don't think you missed it... It was hidden lol. But the guys in there talk about what they saw/and some ideas/fixes.

Frud

· #5 · Jul 9, 2017

TheKaric said:
Not to sound like I am being contrary, but there is an entire thread on this.

The just of it is that it happens, it gets better, and usually adjusting your shift lever (also a thread on this, and in the manual) and changing out the first oil seems to make it much better.

For me it was more the shift lever adjustment and properly setting my clutch lever to the right amount of travel.

Hopefully this gets you pointed in the right directions. (Those other threads have way more information if this wasn't enough)

Hey I was wondering if you could direct me to the thread on how to adjust my clutch lever. I just picked up my bike yesterday and my friction zone is all the way at the end of clutch release. It makes it extremely difficult from a stop because the line between some friction and the clutch being open completely is minuscule and has almost caused me to stall a few times while making my takeoffs far from smooth. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

stavros

· #6 · Jul 9, 2017

I have had some instances of my gear indicator showing I'm in 2nd when I've tapped down on my quickshifter from 3rd to 2nd whereas in fact the gear is in neutral. Anyone else having this problem?

psyopper

· #7 · Jul 10, 2017

stavros said:
I have had some instances of my gear indicator showing I'm in 2nd when I've tapped down on my quickshifter from 3rd to 2nd whereas in fact the gear is in neutral. Anyone else having this problem?

That is called a "false neutral" and can happen between all the gears, it's just most prevalent between 4-5 and 5-6. As mentioned, adjusting the shift lever to better fit your ergonomics is usually the fix. Shifting firmly is what you can do until then. No *****-footing around.

Reactions: 1

olivier

· #8 · Jul 10, 2017

I am amazed to read that you have so much false-neutral. I traveled 250 km yesterday and it arrived only once, but I had not selected firmly in the selector of speeds. Otherwise, a delight. The gear-box is precise, locks well, even cold, where the Japanese gear-box tend to click nastily. I perfectly likened the way of using the DQS ( U*D), it is brilliant.

amoslws

· #9 · Jul 10, 2017

psyopper said:
That is called a "false neutral" and can happen between all the gears, it's just most prevalent between 4-5 and 5-6. As mentioned, adjusting the shift lever to better fit your ergonomics is usually the fix. Shifting firmly is what you can do until then. No *****-footing around.

Haha, you are 100% correct there, it wants to be put into gear, no fairy taps of insecurity are forgiven on this beauty. Do what you mean and mean what you do.

Reactions: 1

TheKaric

· #10 · Jul 10, 2017

Frud said:
Hey I was wondering if you could direct me to the thread on how to adjust my clutch lever. I just picked up my bike yesterday and my friction zone is all the way at the end of clutch release. It makes it extremely difficult from a stop because the line between some friction and the clutch being open completely is minuscule and has almost caused me to stall a few times while making my takeoffs far from smooth. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

I don't know if there is a thread on the actual clutch lever, but you can adjust it some at the actual lever itself. Look in the manual starting on page 216, there is great info on how you can adjust the lever.

I also added aftermarket levers so I could have more adjustment options, as often the stock levers aren't comfortable for me. (and I only use 2 fingers so a shorter lever is better for me)

klev

· #11 · Jul 10, 2017

TheKaric said:
I don't know if there is a thread on the actual clutch lever, but you can adjust it some at the actual lever itself. Look in the manual starting on page 216, there is great info on how you can adjust the lever.

I also added aftermarket levers so I could have more adjustment options, as often the stock levers aren't comfortable for me. (and I only use 2 fingers so a shorter lever is better for me)

It comes down to how you are shifting. If you dont usually pull the clutch all the way in, tighten the clutch cable. If you are having issues with toe up/down, adjust the gear lever position. Or you can mix it up, like I did

IL_Mostro

· #12 · Jul 13, 2017

I had similar problems with my Monster 821 when it was new, but after 1000-2000 miles this issue pretty much went away. So either I adjusted my shifting habit (more positive foot action) or the issue is more of a break-in thing.

Reactions: 1

IL_Mostro

· #13 · Jul 19, 2017

The reason for this is more likely because it's a brand new bike. Ducati's have many quirks like this, I've found out with my previous one, that tend to go away once the bike is well broken in. Sometimes that might even mean 2-3K miles. Also, I have noticed that downshifting from 6th to 5th or up from 5th to 6th does require a slightly more positive click. In other words, your foot just has to do it with a little more conviction. But it might become less of a problem as the bike racks up some more miles.

TAROZ13

· #14 · Jul 23, 2017

**** i just opened a new discussion with the same argument lol. Yes i'm definitively having the same problem of yours and k justbrought the bike back tothe dealer.ithoughtitwas a break in thing but after 1200 miles i tend to think there is something wrong in the clutch setting in my bike becauseit must not behave that way and those grinding at 8000k rpm makes me furious. Hope they'll find the reason why or i'm going to contact Ducati Italy right away

Bigwaves1

· #15 · Jul 23, 2017

I had the issue until I adjusted the shift lever 3 turns down. All shifting problems went away.

Reactions: 2

IL_Mostro

· #16 · Aug 21, 2017

I had the same problems until after around 1100 miles, the mis shifts and false neutrals went away. You do have to give it a good positive click with your foot, but it'll get better with more break in. That's just how Ducati's are, my Monster was similar. Many false neutrals early on when new, later, after 1000 or 1500 miles, those issues started going away and after 2000+ miles I'd very rarely find any false neutrals. I have 1200 miles on my SSS now and yesterday rode for 60 miles and had not a single mis shift or false neutral. It's definitely getting much much better as the transmission breaks in more and loosens up.

Reactions: 1

BruNo

· #17 · Aug 21, 2017

I know have done 7000km with the SS-S. I sometime had a false neutral between 4 & 5 (or the gear doesn't lock, hard to say), it has happened maybe 3 or 4 times, with this nice 'grinding' going with it.
I had exactly the same thing with my 2 previous Ducs... I've done 130.000km without changing the gearbox.
It's called 'character'...

Blakduk

· #18 · Aug 23, 2017

I test rode a SS for about 30 minutes (it had a DQS). It was so clunky and useless that I found myself forced to go back to using the clutch traditionally. A week later I did 70km on a BMWS1000RR. Whatever you do, don't ride a BMW with a quick shifter! I rang the Ducati dealer and asked him if the DQS had broken or was not even installed in that demo bike that I'd ridden.
He said that yes, the BMW quick shifter is much smoother.... I'd call it so different as to consider not even getting DQS. The BMW one was like honey in all riding scenarios.
I'll probably still go Ducati though LOL.

se7en

· #19 · Aug 23, 2017

Blakduk said:
I test rode a SS for about 30 minutes (it had a DQS). It was so clunky and useless that I found myself forced to go back to using the clutch traditionally. A week later I did 70km on a BMWS1000RR. Whatever you do, don't ride a BMW with a quick shifter! I rang the Ducati dealer and asked him if the DQS had broken or was not even installed in that demo bike that I'd ridden.
He said that yes, the BMW quick shifter is much smoother.... I'd call it so different as to consider not even getting DQS. The BMW one was like honey in all riding scenarios.
I'll probably still go Ducati though LOL.

Your experience was different than my ownership. My DQS is smooth as silk! No issues at all. Maybe it was user error. When upshifting, don't let off the throttle. When downshifting, do let off the throttle for a split second. Easy peasy...smooth.

Reactions: 2

Ventura17SS

· #20 · Aug 24, 2017

se7en said:
Your experience was different than my ownership. My DQS is smooth as silk! No issues at all. Maybe it was user error. When upshifting, don't let off the throttle. When downshifting, do let off the throttle for a split second. Easy peasy...smooth.

I second @se7en regarding the Supersport S DQS. It is smooth and effortless as can be on my bike (2,100 miles) and has been since new. Just twist the throttle to 5k RPM or above, don't back off, and smoothly and effortlessly upshift. Less RPM's required in higher gears 3 to 4, 4 to 5, and 5 to 6. Smooth downshifts, except with throttle closed.
Ironically, a buddy with an R1200RS complains of "issues" with the quick shifter on his bike (9,000 miles, plus). I suspect it's a matter of getting used to DQS...but who knows?

Reactions: 1

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