Narrow Neutral on 2014

[Travex]

Shifting into neutral on the 2014 is considerably less simple than on the 2012. Since new, it's been way too easy to shift past neutral (either up or down) on the 14 as the neutral gap is quite slender. The 12's neutral had a nice wide berth while the 14's can almost be described as elusive. It's not a performance issue, but it can be annoying at times.

Are others experiencing this?

 

[Scoobynut]

Travex, I haven't found the '14's box any harder to find neutral than the '12's. I can tell the tranny is still 'tighter' than my well-broken-in 2012's was, so maybe it just hasn't loosened up yet. I think a bigger complaint I have is that it's almost impossible to tell the neutral light is lit in bright sunlight, agree? The 2012 neutral light was much easier to see.

 

[Travex]

So far it looks like just mine. That's good I think. As for the indicator, I don't think it's that bad, though certainly not as bright as the the 12's.

 

[ThreePutt]

I've only got 350 miles on my 2014 but yesterday, just once, I could not find N to save my ass. It's not just you.

 

[Brick]

I have over 7,000 miles on my 2014 and find it the same as my 64,800 mile 2012.


Brick

 

[Travex]

I've only got 350 miles on my 2014 but yesterday, just once, I could not find N to save my ass. It's not just you.

Over 5k miles and it's still a tight gap to hit, although it was a bit easier today over 200 miles. Didn't experience this as part of the wear-in on the '12 and trust it to be a transient thing.

 

[Koinz]

Over 5k miles and it's still a tight gap to hit, although it was a bit easier today over 200 miles. Didn't experience this as part of the wear-in on the '12 and trust it to be a transient thing.

Bleed the clutch. A tiny bit of air might make the difference. I also had to adjust my shift lever height.

 

[munsterlander]

I have same issue, Travex. Feel like a fool trying to find N.
Can't compare to an earlier S10 as didn't have one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EricV]

Bleed the clutch. A tiny bit of air might make the difference. I also had to adjust my shift lever height.

Koinz nailed it. Bleed the clutch. Even the '12 gets pretty tight if the clutch needs bleeding.

 

[s-flow]

I have not missed N in the first 2000km, it feels comparable to the 2011.

Though I have reflected on shifting from first to second gear works smoother and easier on the 2014,
with the 2011 I got stuck in N sometimes. This could be the same thing, a narrower neutral.

 

[Travex]

Had the bike in for a rear tire replacement today and talked to the service manager and the lead technician about the issue. Both are long-time Yamahanians that believe the problem will pass as they've experienced this on other Yamaha models. Their recommended short term approach is to go into neutral with the bike still moving rather than at a stand still. While this does have a positive effect, it has no effect on my need for N once stopped so I'll continue to look forward to getting past this if it is a growing pain. Not a solution, I know... But in several years they've never steered me wrong on a single thing.

I appreciate the suggestions of line bleeding, but they said it wouldn't have an effect and would be pleased to do it at my request if the problem persists. I'm good with that for now. The shifter is spot on for me.

When I first took notice of the narrowness I was writing it off to not having a good feel for a pair of new boots, but after I rode with my more pedestrian boots (which have outstanding feel), it was clear that N was tight.

I'll follow up with any changes.

 

[duggram]

Got my first ST last weekend, a 2014. 520 miles in first 4 days. Easy neutral.

 

[avc8130]

Had the bike in for a rear tire replacement today and talked to the service manager and the lead technician about the issue. Both are long-time Yamahanians that believe the problem will pass as they've experienced this on other Yamaha models. Their recommended short term approach is to go into neutral with the bike still moving rather than at a stand still. While this does have a positive effect, it has no effect on my need for N once stopped so I'll continue to look forward to getting past this if it is a growing pain. Not a solution, I know... But in several years they've never steered me wrong on a single thing.

I appreciate the suggestions of line bleeding, but they said it wouldn't have an effect and would be pleased to do it at my request if the problem persists. I'm good with that for now. The shifter is spot on for me.

When I first took notice of the narrowness I was writing it off to not having a good feel for a pair of new boots, but after I rode with my more pedestrian boots (which have outstanding feel), it was clear that N was tight.

I'll follow up with any changes.

I don't own a 14, but that is just about always how I find neutral on all of my bikes. As I come to a stop, I push down through the gears. I can always feel the difference with my toe as I find second. Then a light pressure and the bikes find neutral almost by themselves. At a stand still almost any bike can be a PIA to find neutral.

ac

 

[Tyke]

Bleed the clutch. A tiny bit of air might make the difference. I also had to adjust my shift lever height.

Agreed, correctly adjusted gear shift height is important I find that a different pair of riding boots can also make a noticeable difference. My 2014 has 2000 miles after 4 weeks and it is improving all the time although I can't say that finding neutral has ever been a problem

 

[Donk]

I only test road the '12 for an hour but both it and my '14ES have about the nicest gearboxes I've shifted. Neutral is easy on my '14. If you want see what a really elusive neutral is like go to the HD dealer and ride one of their touring bikes! You will praise the S10 neutral to high heaven.

 

[Travex]

have about the nicest gearboxes I've shifted.

Minus the current narrowness, I couldn't agree more.

 

[Travex]

Had fresh tires put on and did my oil today in prep for a ride around all the Great Lakes. Used the same oil I used previously, Rotella T6 5/40 Synthetic (no friction modifiers), which I had also used for 22k miles on the 2012 S10. Both with Mobil-1 M-108 filter.

No more narrow neutral. I can't figure it. I've never had any negative issues or consequences from using this oil. Always had very positive, tactile shifting with none of the N difficulty that's been occurring.

 

[Donk]

Is it possible the bike is just breaking in?

 

[Travex]

I'm leaning that way. 500mi today (mainly slab), but it seemed to be a little less where used.