Rough Rider

[DubbleJay]

Maybe this is just me and not spending enough time on the bike "getting to know her." But my bone stock 2012 just seems rough... I cant quite figure out my shifting... Going from 1st all the way through 3rd the bike just wants to kick me back when Im moving into the next gear. There is a very noticeable lug when disengaging the clutch.

Am I shifting too early? Too late? Not enough throttle? Ive tried everything and the only thing that produces a smooth transition is a very slow release of the clutch and a very slow pull of the throttle... Just doesnt seem right to me. T Mode or S Mode...makes no difference.

Where is everyone else shifting?

 

[hANNAbONE]

- uh - ........

 

[HoebSTer]

smooth slow and steady are the words my friend. It may take learning a new motor skill and build up muscle memory for this action. I did notice mine was a bit different than my past Honda's. Different, not bad.
Another thing to look at are the posts about Off idle stumble and making sure the throttle bodies are sync'd (as alot of bikes need from factory), adjusting the CO settings, and or the air screw adjustment on the Throttle Bodies. Many people here have done these things, and or a combination of them.

 

[Steve Weber]

Hey Dubblejay I know exactly what your talking about, I've ridden way to many bikes through the years, thought I may just be gettin to old to sync my shifts, was ready to try many suggestions on this site, all seemed laborous and time consuming or costly. Someone suggested I find the thread on here about the clutch switch bypass with a fuse, someones got a good photo on here, do it, it works, your shifting and clutch throttle sync. will be better, you lose T mode, just pull the fuse or have an on/off switch on it, off idle takeoffs are better, just be careful at first cause its going to take off faster than youve become accustomed to, I love it, its the only mod I've done, and like I said on the thread, its like free money, probly try some other stuff next year. Good luck

 

[Checkswrecks]

Two thoughts. First the S10 seems to need about 1,500 miles to break in and then suddenly hits it's stride in the suspension and steering.


Try the clutch switch mod and see if you feel the same about power delivery. The bike is lean to make EPA specs. The mod made a world of difference in mine. Some others have said that a throttle body sync made a big difference, which wasn't such a strong case for mine.

 

[DubbleJay]

Hey Dubblejay I know exactly what your talking about, I've ridden way to many bikes through the years, thought I may just be gettin to old to sync my shifts, was ready to try many suggestions on this site, all seemed laborous and time consuming or costly. Someone suggested I find the thread on here about the clutch switch bypass with a fuse, someones got a good photo on here, do it, it works, your shifting and clutch throttle sync. will be better, you lose T mode, just pull the fuse or have an on/off switch on it, off idle takeoffs are better, just be careful at first cause its going to take off faster than youve become accustomed to, I love it, its the only mod I've done, and like I said on the thread, its like free money, probly try some other stuff next year. Good luck

Ive been going back and forth on wether to try this mod. My bike is brand new, I mean still less than 600 on it... I keep going back and forth as to wether I should just wait awhile before I change anything.

The lug in the clutch movement just really bothers me. I never notice it out in the dirt though, probably because I wasnt shifting all that much. I just cant figure out where this bike wants to live... hard off the line, slow and smooth off the line... I have no idea. Each time I try something new and still havnt fully figured it out. Past third though its a dream... really love this bike, but I would like to love it under 40mph shooting through town to work also, not just out in the bush and on the freeway.

 

[terrysig]

Took the fuse with me to pick up the bike. Have not taken it out and not going to put a switch...it's that good.

 

[Siseneg]

Sometimes I just run it up a bit higher off the line and skip second gear altogether. For that matter 4th as well ... Makes me think I'm double-clutching a Kenworth

 

[DubbleJay]

So I went by the autoparts place after work and grabbed a fuse. Stuck it in where I can only guess is the right spot and definitely noticed a difference. Stronger off the line and smoother gear changes. BUT, my bike would not start in gear... From what I understand from reading the other threads on this clutch mod I should be able to start the bike in gear without touching my clutch, correct? Maybe Im wrong...

Also... can someone please clear up the "no touring mode" or "shorted touring mode" issue? Again, after reading the entire clutch mod threads Im still confused as some people say there is no S or T mode when the clutch mod is on, though others say their T mode is now better with it on. Im confused. Does T or S mode on with the clutch mod on make a difference?

Also, I attached some pics so someone can verify that I did in fact place the fuse in the right spot.

Thanks...

 

[MikeBear]

As far as I can see......
Yeah. You did it correct.
What they are trying to say is when you install fuse, changing modes does not make any difference. So you have one "Super sport"
About not starting in the gear... Did you leave your foot peg out?

 

[Don in Lodi]

So I went by the autoparts place after work and grabbed a fuse. Stuck it in where I can only guess is the right spot and definitely noticed a difference. Stronger off the line and smoother gear changes. BUT, my bike would not start in gear... From what I understand from reading the other threads on this clutch mod I should be able to start the bike in gear without touching my clutch, correct? Maybe Im wrong...

Also... can someone please clear up the "no touring mode" or "shorted touring mode" issue? Again, after reading the entire clutch mod threads Im still confused as some people say there is no S or T mode when the clutch mod is on, though others say their T mode is now better with it on. Im confused. Does T or S mode on with the clutch mod on make a difference?

Also, I attached some pics so someone can verify that I did in fact place the fuse in the right spot.

Thanks...

Kickstand? It won't start in gear with the kickstand down. And what RPM are you shifting at?

 

[DubbleJay]

Kickstand? It won't start in gear with the kickstand down. And what RPM are you shifting at?

DOH! ::010:: Thats what it was, that it wont start with the stand down... hahah, of course. Has nothing to do with being in gear, your right. I wasnt totally sure. Ha.

As for shifting. The bike seems to want to shift at 3 - 3500rpm. This seem correct? After the mod, shifting at this level was smooth as glass whereas before it lugged... Im happy for now, but not totally comfortable "shorting" out my bike without any kind of known consequence. We'll see how it goes...

 

[BaldKnob]

I experienced jerky takeoffs and odd feeling shifts but the clutch mod works great and bike has gotten smoother as miles add up. If I'm in T mode (fuse out) I will blip throttle then ease out the clutch for smoother takeoff and shifting. As for when to shift, that has too many variables for me to answer but this engine is incredibly flexible lugging 3rd gear without lurching or revving further than you think it should.

 

[Salmon Sam]

Speaking of shifting: What is with the "recommended shift points" in the manual? 1st to 2nd at 12 mph; 2nd to 3rd at 19 mph; 3rd to 4th at 25 mph; 4th to 5th at 31 mph, and 5th to 6th at 37 mph???? All downshift at 16 mph??? Seems kind of low and non-rpm related. I notice that I shift at a lot higher speeds through the gears. Anyone see this and have an opinon?

 

[Don in Lodi]

DOH! ::010:: That's what it was, that it wont start with the stand down... hahah, of course. Has nothing to do with being in gear, your right. I wasn't totally sure. Ha.

As for shifting. The bike seems to want to shift at 3 - 3500rpm. This seem correct? After the mod, shifting at this level was smooth as glass whereas before it lugged... Im happy for now, but not totally comfortable "shorting" out my bike without any kind of known consequence. We'll see how it goes...

Naw, kickstand and in gear. It will start fine with the kickstand down. Just not in gear at the same time.

 

[MidlifeMotor]

Speaking of shifting: What is with the "recommended shift points" in the manual? 1st to 2nd at 12 mph; 2nd to 3rd at 19 mph; 3rd to 4th at 25 mph; 4th to 5th at 31 mph, and 5th to 6th at 37 mph???? All downshift at 16 mph??? Seems kind of low and non-rpm related. I notice that I shift at a lot higher speeds through the gears. Anyone see this and have an opinon?

Ignore the manual recommended shift points. I shift when I get to the fifth "m" in Vroooooommmmmmmm".

 

[mcbrien]

DOH! ::010:: Thats what it was, that it wont start with the stand down... hahah, of course. Has nothing to do with being in gear, your right. I wasnt totally sure. Ha.

As for shifting. The bike seems to want to shift at 3 - 3500rpm. This seem correct? After the mod, shifting at this level was smooth as glass whereas before it lugged... Im happy for now, but not totally comfortable "shorting" out my bike without any kind of known consequence. We'll see how it goes...

Think of the clutch mod as a third map . If your ride 70 / 80 mph bike seems to run to rich with clutch mod . Sport mode works better for interstate travel and touring mode saves a little gas if your
just drowning along at steady speeds . I perfer the clutch mod off road where I want lots of bottom end and no throttle hesitation .

 

[DubbleJay]

Naw, kickstand and in gear. It will start fine with the kickstand down. Just not in gear at the same time.

So what your saying is... If I have the bike on the stand, throw it in gear and release the clutch the bike will start? hrmmm...

 

[DubbleJay]

Think of the clutch mod as a third map . If your ride 70 / 80 mph bike seems to run to rich with clutch mod . Sport mode works better for interstate travel and touring mode saves a little gas if your
just drowning along at steady speeds . I perfer the clutch mod off road where I want lots of bottom end and no throttle hesitation .

This is where I see the switch being a useful option. SS mode for around town or off road, S mode for interstate and T mode for long hauls... Thanks.

 

[Psyduck]

My bike is brand new, I mean still less than 600 on it... ugh its a dream... really love this bike, but I would like to love it under 40mph shooting through town to work also, not just out in the bush and on the freeway.

As others have stated - the bike really changes itself once you hit 1500-2000mile mark. It smooth-ens out a lot. It's actually quite unbelievable how much it does. Your problem might just go away. Hold off on any mods until you rode it well over that mark imo.

::021::