Finding Neutral.......

21456 Views 96 Replies 39 Participants Last post by jasonss, 10 mo ago

steeve

Discussion Starter · May 23, 2017

I did make a note in 1st service.
I've really struggled on my bike finding neutral, impossible if stationary. In most cases if I hadn't managed to select neutral before a stop I had to turn the engine off in gear.

But good news after the first service it's so much better whilst it's still not easy it is most times possible, so stick with it guys things do improve.

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PhilB

· #2 · May 23, 2017

Also, just practice.

Different manufacturers have different balances on this. Too easy to find neutral means missed 1-2 or 2-1 shifts; too hard makes the riding easier but the stopping harder. Ducati tends to the latter, historically, and the 939SS is no different.

The "secret" is practice. You get the feel for it after a while on the bike. When I testrode the 939SS, I had no trouble finding neutral; it felt just like it always has on my Monster. By now, after having put a few miles on a Monster, it's a natural motion for me. Toe it in just enough, and not too much.

PhilB

Reactions: 1

Billy Broms

· #3 · May 23, 2017

I haven't had a problem finding the neutral at all on my bike. No difference between stationary or just before coming to a stop. My hypermotard 821 was no different. So not all Ducatis have that problem.
Good to hear it's getting better on your bike Steeve.

Reactions: 1

klev

· #4 · May 23, 2017

Billy Broms said:
I haven't had a problem finding the neutral at all on my bike. No difference between stationary or just before coming to a stop. My hypermotard 821 was no different. So not all Ducatis have that problem.
Good to hear it's getting better on your bike Steeve.

Its a bit easier when its new, put a couple miles on it and starts getting a bit difficult, even hits false neutrals (between 4 & 5 for me).

How many miles do you have on it?

Billy Broms

· #5 · May 23, 2017

I've got about 4000 km on it right now. Something like 2500 miles I think that is.

Reactions: 1

se7en

· #6 · May 23, 2017

Billy Broms said:
My hypermotard 821 was no different.

I have the same bike. I don't have my SS-S yet, but hoping it will be no different than my 821.

klev said:
...even hits false neutrals (between 4 & 5 for me.

LOL...this is characteristic of Ducatis in general. My Hyper 821 does the same. Takes a FIRM upshift.

I've been thinking about this issue. With my Hyper, and on the very off occasion that I can't get neutral easily, I'll roll the bike about 1/2 inch and it easily goes into it. If its sitting there with the engine off, I'll grab that handlebars and roll it backwards. Takes two hands and a foot, but it works. If its sitting at a light, I'll roll it forward.

Keep in mind that I firmly believe that a bike needs to be in 1st gear when in "Park", thus keeping it from rolling off the stand. I've actually had two bikes roll forward and fall over because I left them in neutral...so I don't do it anymore.

klev

· #7 · May 23, 2017

Billy Broms said:
I've got about 4000 km on it right now. Something like 2500 miles I think that is.

Dayum...Youre 10x my mileage...hahaha...She does get better. Im at 300+ and either I now have a good feel for the neutral or its gotten a bit easier. It was hard when it was barely in 100 mile range

Reactions: 1

amoslws

· #8 · May 24, 2017 (Edited)

Billy Broms said:
I've got about 4000 km on it right now. Something like 2500 miles I think that is.

@Billy Broms Are you using it as a commuter to work and back. At this rate your 15000km and 1st service will be within the same quarter. If I am correct you got it in the middle of april? By november you will be tensioning the timing belts.
Since you possibly have the most experience on the SS, what are your true thoughts? You are the leader of 'curious minds'

se7en

· #9 · May 24, 2017

amoslws said:
At this rate your 15000km and 1st service will be within the same quarter. If I am correct you got it in the middle of april? By november you will be tensioning the timing belts

Yeah, and buying new tires in another month!

Reactions: 1

steeve

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 24, 2017

Can I just say that I didn't have any issue on the test Supersport S I rode, it had 31 miles on the clock. I could find neutral no problem, either stationary or rolling to a stop.

BUT, huge but, my bike is completely different, it isn't lack of experience or technique (I've been riding for over 55 years, including a short spell racing) it's the variation that you get between one mechanical item and another.

But, sorry yet another but, after the service (they use Motul oil which is supposed to be best for Ducati's) it is much improved. I'm hoping it continues to get better,

Reactions: 1

Billy Broms

· #11 · May 24, 2017

amoslws said:
@Billy Broms Are you using it as a commuter to work and back. At this rate your 15000km and 1st service will be within the same quarter. If I am correct you got it in the middle of april? By november you will be tensioning the timing belts.
Since you possibly have the most experience on the SS, what are your true thoughts? You are the leader of 'curious minds'

I got my bike late in March, first on the forum and possibly in the whole world. I usually ride something between 15000 and 20000 in a season. I do some commuting but I usually take my Harley for that. I've done one trackday and the tires took a beating of course. It's really on of the best bike I've had. Easy cornering, agile and does what you want it to. I've been waiting for a bike like this since I sold my Kawasaki zxr 750 1993. 24 years of waiting and it was worth it.
Sorry for this not beeing about finding the neutral.

Reactions: 1

Red Duc

· #12 · Jun 8, 2017

I just had my first service and raised the issue of finding neutral. The dealer checked it out and said the problem was being caused by the chain tension being too slack. They adjusted it and hey presto! A vast improvement. I can now find neutral while stationary. Yippeeee!

Reactions: 2

se7en

· #13 · Jun 8, 2017

Red Duc said:
I just had my first service and raised the issue of finding neutral. The dealer checked it out and said the problem was being caused by the chain tension being too slack. They adjusted it and hey presto! A vast improvement. I can now find neutral while stationary. Yippeeee!

Really?!?! That's all it was...a loose chain?

I'm confused by this, but oddly, I'm not sure why...LOL. Seriously, for some reason that just doesn't mechanically make sense to me.

I'll have to think on this one...:nerd:

amoslws

· #14 · Jun 8, 2017

Red Duc said:
I just had my first service and raised the issue of finding neutral. The dealer checked it out and said the problem was being caused by the chain tension being too slack. They adjusted it and hey presto! A vast improvement. I can now find neutral while stationary. Yippeeee!

That does seem a little too simple Red Duc. The members have been moaning about it for two months, just don't be overtightening the chain whenever neutral fails.

Nwillis

· #15 · Jun 8, 2017

klev said:
Its a bit easier when its new, put a couple miles on it and starts getting a bit difficult, even hits false neutrals (between 4 & 5 for me).

I also hit the faults neutral (between 4 and 5) two different times during break in. (First 600 Mile) I have done a bunch of riding nearly 1800 Mile now and have not hit faults neutral anytime after the first 600 mile. It really surprises you because you just don't expect it. standard neutral get much better after only 100 miles.

Triple S

· #16 · Jun 18, 2017

1000km neutral

Bike has hit 1000km neutral selection has been really good the last 500 or so easy to click just before stopping and if already stop just drive forward 300mm and try again and it would click it easy peasy. changed the oil and filter and it was then a real ***** in all the above. Clutch lever freeplay was not excessive but I adjusted to have only 10mm freeplay at the end of the lever and now can click it just before stopping and sometimes by driving forward. So im guessing the drag on the clutch plates with the 15w50 is more than the run in oil which I assume to be a mineral oil not synthetic and probably a lower viscosity.

klev

· #17 · Jun 18, 2017

Triple S said:
Bike has hit 1000km neutral selection has been really good the last 500 or so easy to click just before stopping and if already stop just drive forward 300mm and try again and it would click it easy peasy. changed the oil and filter and it was then a real ***** in all the above. Clutch lever freeplay was not excessive but I adjusted to have only 10mm freeplay at the end of the lever and now can click it just before stopping and sometimes by driving forward. So im guessing the drag on the clutch plates with the 15w50 is more than the run in oil which I assume to be a mineral oil not synthetic and probably a lower viscosity.

This has been my experience too as i said in some other post. Last 200-300 miles upto first service neutral got better. After first service, back to square one. Had to readjust the gear lever to help it a bit

Heathrow

· #18 · Jun 24, 2017

My neutral is close to impossible, too. It helps to run the throttle just a bit as you shift up to N.

melba

· #19 · Jun 24, 2017

steeve said:
I did make a note in 1st service.
I've really struggled on my bike finding neutral, impossible if stationary. In most cases if I hadn't managed to select neutral before a stop I had to turn the engine off in gear.

But good news after the first service it's so much better whilst it's still not easy it is most times possible, so stick with it guys things do improve.

I can find neutral easily by just "tapping" from 2nd when downchanging and the bike still rolling. Bike has just 1000 km on it

tachumm2

· #20 · Jun 25, 2017

I can't find neutral easily either, but I notice it helps to pull the clutch all the way. At the beginning I was just pulling the clutch with 2 fingers.

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