GT250R finding 1st Gear

[Herbie]

Hi guys,

Bit of a newbie question Im sure, but for those of you that own Hyosung's - is it natural to have a problem finding first gear while still moving? It seems I can only engage 1st gear with clutch in when at a complete stop and any other time get a spongey sort of feel. It even is sometimes a little difficult when at a halt.

The other couple of bikes I had rode (Yamaha and Kawasaki Ninja) did not have this issue and seemed to change down fine.

Should I be ringing the dealer and getting them to have a look at it or could it just be because the bike is only a couple of days old?

[spudda]

There shouldnt ever really be to many reasons to drop into first once moving anyway? Second is ample enough to take off or do slow speed turns. I couldnt be sure but i would assume that the reason it doesnt go into first easily would be for saftey. Dropping back into first would prob cause the bike to compression lock up at most speeds.

[Gippo]

Oh sorry missed that part about it being practically brand new......

Don't mess with the chain and oil obviously and just use 2nd.

[Gippo]

There shouldnt ever really be to many reasons to drop into first once moving anyway? Second is ample enough to take off or do slow speed turns. I couldnt be sure but i would assume that the reason it doesnt go into first easily would be for saftey. Dropping back into first would prob cause the bike to compression lock up at most speeds.

I do it all the time and gently ease out the clutch whilst giving it blips to spool up. No real reason to do it other than boredom....

[devolved]

I just hold in the clutch and stomp on it until it clicks!... ... Just kiddin'. Stay out of first unless taking off. Mine is the same, I'm guessing its a HYO-FIGHTER thing.

[Herbie]

Yeah its more for gearing down for O-turns in my test (which I have been told to do in first gear).
I know prctically you shouldn't have to do it hardly at all (if ever) but if it was an issue I would have liked to get it checked.

Devolved - thanks - just wanted to make sure it wasnt just my bike...

Told you all it would be an easily answered newbie question

[spudda]

Well looking through the bike lists we all have HYO's! Well untill sat as ive just sold mine. Roll on big bike time! 15 days!

But yeah i only ever use first for taking off.

[Chaos-incarnate]

Erm, do you mean as in dropping down to first when coming to a stop eg. at the lights? With your clutch in? Because yes, that would a problem. A pretty big problem actually. And apart from that, if you come to a stop and put right foot down to changed gears you will fail test (lose points everytime until fail).

[-Mark-]

Yep sounds like a problem to me. I owned a new Hyo GT250 and it never had that problem. I always drop in to first as I am rolling to a stop on any bike. I drop in to first gear all the time on my 1200 for roundabouts and low speed corners, I'm curious now about whether other riders use first like that.

[Bukefal]

it happens on my instructor's bike (yamaha scorpio) quite frequently. it's happened on my GT250R on the rare occasion, but it's not anything that worries me. once stationary, easing the clutch gently to the friction point always makes it click into gear.

[Kristy]

Yep sounds like a problem to me. I owned a new Hyo GT250 and it never had that problem. I always drop in to first as I am rolling to a stop on any bike. I drop in to first gear all the time on my 1200 for roundabouts and low speed corners, I'm curious now about whether other riders use first like that.

Occasionally I'll drop the R1 into 1st (usually walking it through a roundabout on a WSR), but I find 2nd waaaay smoother, and is my preference for low speed stuff. The CBR600 is way too twitchy in 1st, so it's always 2nd for low speed walking.

[Herbie]

Ok thanks for the help...secondary question then - you think it's worth getting it seen asap - or leave it til 1000km service and see if it loosens up/ fixes itself??

Cheers

[ASB Imports]

No real reason to do it other than boredom....

Spudda, didnt you get the memo, dropping first is what the cool kids do.. Way to cool for me though!


I had the same problem with mine. I also had a lot of trouble getting into neutral when stationary.. What the problem was for mine was the clutch lever was too loose and even by pulling it completely in, it wasn't dis-engaging the clutch enough for a smooth change. I was very new to bikes so it was a bit worrying for me but if this is the case, its a 30second fix for the dealer. If you only bought it recently from the dealer, I would just ride past there as soon as your free and atleast make them aware of the problems your having.

[Chaos-incarnate]

What ASB said. How many kms you got on it now? I would take it in ASAP, if your just learning to ride you dont need problems in your bike distracting you. Could be the difference in pulling out of the lights or getting cleaned up by non stopping car behind you when it stalls in second. Could be doing damage too if its the clutch not disengaging. They put a first gear in it for a reason, you should always ride the gears in the right rev/ speed range- I cant stand those people who up gears too soon- cant you hear the engine choking to death?!

And you wont get compression lock up if you drop it into first while moving, I do it all the time if Im coming in slow waiting for light change, or car to go etc- slow racing! Although I wouldnt try it at 100kms, this bike is VERY forgiving so dont stress about that.

Lol at Kristy, doesnt first gear on an R1 come with a free world record?! Compared to a Hyo Im pretty sure it does....

[killswitch54923]

just feather the clutch out at bite point when doing it, should drop in then.

[Herbie]

It's got less than 100kms...I'll give them a buzz today and see what they think.
Thanks for the help...I was sure it wasn't normal!

[Aussasin]

I'd say it's a clutch issue mate, not disengaging enough. Take it to dealer for a quick fix. They are notorious for not going into neutral too. Just do what killswitch said and feather the clutch and blip throttle.

[Gippo]

Spudda, didnt you get the memo, dropping first is what the cool kids do.. Way to cool for me though!

I always drop into 1st as I work down the gears when coming to a stop on the GT250. Never had any issues doing it. Have also dropped into 1st at higher speeds trying to find neutral - not keen on getting flamed today so don't ask why.

Point 1) My GT250 does it easily
Point 2) Don't really need 1st other than stand still start
Point 3) I generally drop into 1st gear for roundabouts but second is smoother.
Point 4) If your not happy get mechanic to look at it regardless.
Point 5) Can't wait to have a slipper clutch on next bike.

[Aussasin]

Have also dropped into 1st at higher speeds trying to find neutral - not keen on getting flamed today so don't ask why.

But why?

[Herbie]

So general consensus.
- probably clutch issue
- get it fixed/looked at asap
- gt250s can also be hard to get into neutral
- hoon doesn't want us to ask why he drops into neutral at high speeds

Cheers for all the advice!