Posted April 17, 200915 yr Hi people, When my XV535 is cold, gear changes from 1st to 2nd feel very soft or spongy. There's no audible noise or hardly any mechanical feedback. The gear engages alright, but it's not the same. After the bike warms up, all comes back to normal - roughly similar noise and mechanical feedback between all gear changes. Should I be worried at all? Cheers, Pedro.
April 17, 200915 yr Nope. No worries at all, chap. It feels odd because the oil inside the engine is cold and thick. Once it's warmed up, the oil is a bit thinner and flows easier. This same oil lubricates your gear assembly, including the clutch, hence feeling odd when cold. Just let the engine warm up for a minute or two before riding. Use this time to pull on and fasten the zips on all your riding kit. Then do a quick walk round the bike doing your pre-ride checks on the tyres, lights, oil levels etc. By the time you're done the bike will be warmed and off you go!!! I do it every morning.
April 17, 200915 yr Author It feels odd because the oil inside the engine is cold and thick. Once it's warmed up, the oil is a bit thinner and flows easier. This same oil lubricates your gear assembly, including the clutch, hence feeling odd when cold. Makes every bit of sense to me! Just let the engine warm up for a minute or two before riding. Use this time to pull on and fasten the zips on all your riding kit. Then do a quick walk round the bike doing your pre-ride checks on the tyres, lights, oil levels etc. Funny - I keep thinking I'm the only one to check the steering, lights, horn, indicators, etc, before setting off... :] Thanks for the assurance! Cheers, Pedro.
April 22, 200915 yr Lights, steering, kick the tyres, check indicators and i usually check my brakes as well just to make sure they are working for the numpty car drivers to see the lights.
April 22, 200915 yr POWER checks; Petrol Oil Water (cooling system) Electrics Rubber. Or, if yours is an air-cooled V-Twin, shiny chromed bike that doesn't go out in the rain - Petrol, Oil, Weather, Electrics, Rubber
April 22, 200915 yr POWER checks; Petrol Oil Water (cooling system) Electrics Rubber. Or, if yours is an air-cooled V-Twin, shiny chromed bike that doesn't go out in the rain - Petrol, Oil, Weather, Electrics, Rubber Petrol oil WEATHER electrics rubber lol very good, mine has seen rain once
April 27, 200915 yr Petrol oil WEATHER electrics rubber lol very good, mine has seen rain once Weather up here usually means Sun, Wind, Rain, Snow, Rain, Wind, Rain oh and Snow again and thats just the first hour of riding from the house.
April 27, 200915 yr Weather up here usually means Sun, Wind, Rain, Snow, Rain, Wind, Rain oh and Snow again and thats just the first hour of riding from the house. But you do have the veiws to make up for it
April 28, 200915 yr If you can see through the fog and rain yes we have the views, saying that i would swop them sometimes for just a few decent weeks of nice weather. It was 4 degrees this morning on the way through to work, so much for spring and global warming. Hope its better tomorrow as i will have the bike instead of the tin box.
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