Won't go into second gear.

[stubabe]

Last week I changed the oil in my bike, put the prescribed 3 qts 22 oz, took her our for a test spin and every thing worked well. The next afternoon I took her out for another short ride and when I went to shift from first to second it got hung up in neutral. Three or four times I tried this slamming the shifter as hard as I could and it still would not go into second. Figuring I had nothing to lose I revved the engine to 4000 rpm and it shifted like glass. Now, whenever the bike is cold it will not shift in second below 2000 rpm. Has anyone out there experienced this phenomena and am I looking at a huge future repair bill?

[Tonyvdb]

I'm a bit surprised you have not had this happen before however the XIIs like to be shifted at around 3000 rpm. with the better oils this may simply be due to better viscosity. It happens to me also if I'm not paying attention when shifting between 1st and 2nd.

[doug of so fla]

The XII has a lock out so if you try to go into 2nd it will not go if the RPM's are not high enough, cause if you went into second at low RPM it would lug the engine and damage it. The XII engine needs RPMs to be happy, use um..

[Mr Jensee]

This also cures itself once the engine warms up. Have some patience your bike is not broken. And yes we get this complaint more often than you can imagine. The engine has throw out bearings that dont loosen up until the oil is warm. Then it will easily shift into 2nd and so on.

[scottolds]

Had the same thing happen, but for me it was a cold morning. About 40 degrees when I was passing through Salt Lake City. A bit more revving and let it warm up a bit and shifting was fine.

[kelley]

Had the same thing happen, but for me it was a cold morning. About 40 degrees when I was passing through Salt Lake City. A bit more revving and let it warm up a bit and shifting was fine.

Did you pull both drain plugs?

[stubabe]

Thanks for all the replies. What is really crazy is I have owned my Voyager XII for 4 years now and the problem never surfaced before. I will remember to shift it at or above 3000 rpm from now on. Oh yes, I pulled both plugs when I drained the oil.

[Mr Jensee]

you only need to shift above 3000 when the bike is cold. Otherwise it will shift normally.

[lockwoodjohn]

me personally, I would be careful when it comes to hammering on the shifter hard. That is how you could possibly bend shifter forks.

[voyager99]

Ok I'm having the shift problem. Owned the bike 5 yr. and put 25000 on it. Never had a problem before. Took it for a test ride after reading about the rev solution but no luck with that. Only have 1st and neutral. Don't know where to start looking next!

[doug of so fla]

First thing to check is the shift linkage, take the transmission cover off down by your left heel and examine the shift linkage they have hime joints that may be broke or a bushing may be wore out , Next verify that your clutch is working properly with the proper amt of fluid in it . Check that clutch slave cylinder is not gummed up. Check the pin & bushing that holds the clutch lever on , should not have alot of play in it

If all is ok you will probably need transmission work, what is total mileage on it?

[keithlp]

Mine is the same way when it's cold, i have to shift at 3000 or more. These bikes have feature that makes it easy to find nuetral. When stopped they will not go into second gear, you have to be moving. I seem to remember this being discussed before and I think someone said there are some steel balls that keep it from going into second when stopped. When the bike is moving centrifugal force moves the balls so it will shift into second. I would try revving the motor more and see if it shifts into second. If not, it's possible one of those balls is stuck.

[Mr Jensee]

You are correct Keith.