Gear Clunk when shifting into low or reverse from neutral - normal?

[Dray]

Is there a way to set the engine idle speed lower on an F3S? Mine idles at about 900 rpm and when shifting into low or reverse from neutral it really does CLUNK hard into gear. I guess this may a normal idle speed but if you could lower the rpm to 600 or 700 and still idle OK, the strain on the gear train should be a lot less. My idle pea brain is just curious.

Dray

[Bob Denman]

Sorry... That's normal, and your bike is idling at the correct setting.
The clunk is what all of these; and all other motorcycles do...

[Pirate looks at --]

To quote a Tome Petty song...."Its just the normal noises in here!" You will notice that when you go from reverse to first the clunk is gone, but once yiu get used to it, it is your verification that the gear is engaged and you are on your way to FUN!

[Grandpot]

Motorcycles use a Constant Mesh Transmission. All gears are always engaged. This means when the engine is running (idling) the primary and secondary gears are all turning. The clunk you hear is the Dog Clutch sliding into a rotating gear. Motorcycles use this type of transmission because they are compact and shift sequentially, so you don't have to worry about an "H" pattern shifter. The clunk is normal.

[trikermutha]

the idle cannot be adjusted. clunk is normal

[Chupaca]

They all do it but some a bit noiser than others. The big twins are the worst but they are built to work that way and you need not worry about it. It is only in reverse or first then your smooth

[ARtraveler]

Like they said--a normal situation. Once warmed up, I suspect it does not clank quite as much.

[Dray]

Thanks Guys!! MY little brain was thinking maybe it would be putting
a little more strain than normal on everything.

Dray

[trikermutha]

what kind of oil you using in the bike?

[Dray]

I am using factory oil at the moment. Would you believe the dealer could not say whatthe factory oil weight is?Dray

[solidgranite]

Sorry... That's normal, and your bike is idling at the correct setting.
The clunk is what all of these; and all other motorcycles do...

I've got a 2012 RT-SE5, and it clunks when going into first from neutral. Doesn't clunk when going into reverse, only into first. Is this normal for the RT with the 990 engine?

[Grandpot]

I've got a 2012 RT-SE5, and it clunks when going into first from neutral. Doesn't clunk when going into reverse, only into first. Is this normal for the RT with the 990 engine?

I've had about 15 bikes in my life. They all had constant mess transmissions and they all "clunk." It's the nature of the beast. My 2011 RTS clunks in first and reverse. Yours will start clunking in reverse soon.

[BajaRon]

The 'Clunk' may be hard on your nerves. But it doesn't hurt anything. The oil you use can affect how much clunk you get. But you'll never get rid of it.

If the clunk ever goes away completely you're in BIG trouble!

On the other hand. I suppose it does qualify your Spyder as a 'Clunker'. At one time our president would pay you cash for it. But he's gone now....

[brass-monky]

You might try setting the clutch lever to one of the settings that are farther from the grip to give your clutch a longer stroke.

[monkeyboymorton]

I've got a 2012 RT-SE5, and it clunks when going into first from neutral. Doesn't clunk when going into reverse, only into first. Is this normal for the RT with the 990 engine?

If you're going direct from 1st to Reverse or vice versa you don't get a clunk.

Clunk is Neutral to 1st or Reverse.

It is disconcerting but quite normal.