What year are the problems in?

 

I have seen the issue in most bikes it be honest... R1's, r6, Honda, kawi... everything...

However it seems to be much more common on liter bikes...

the process and parts are the same for 98-03 R1's

 

It seems like 2002 and prior-

 

Mine's like that. It led an abused life as a stunt bike before I got it at 22,000 miles, and 2nd gear is a bit on the rough side. With mine if you aren't firm on the upshift, it just grinds and goes to neutral. One of the UK mags indicates that it's a common problem with the 02-03, and there's no cheap way to fix it. The article said that wheelies and slammed 1-2 upshifts cause the dogs on the gear to wear. I don't understand the details of the repair other than the motor has to come out and the gearbox has to be disassembled, then a fairly expensive part must be replaced.

 

Mine went at 24K and I just replaced the motor.

 

it happened at 14.5k

it didnt cost anything really... i did it myself and had 99% of the stuff laying around to do it.. it took like 7 hours... my wife was pissed cause she wanted me to mow the lawn, clean the deck, fix the washer, clean the A/C, help her wash the dishes, fix her computer, walk the dog, go to the store, and some other random shit

tips advice: do it yourself... PM me if you have questions... I might even be willing to give you my phone number so you can call me with questions...

 

I have been riding around today trying to get the perfect shift technique in order to avoid this problem in the future.

I find that if I shift quickly and firmly into 2nd, with a bit of preload upwards before I shift, the second gear shift is butter smooth. Hopefully my trans has plenty of life left!!

 

It's a common problem on the R1. I have and an 03 and I've replaced 2 and 5th if I remember right. It's been a while but that was about 18k miles or so. I'm at around 22 and the problem is starting again. I'm replacing all of my transmission and I'm going to have 2nd gear undercut. It helps for you not to have that problem.

It's not only R1's that have that problem cause I know plenty of Suzuki and Kawis that have the problem as well. Usually second but sometimes worse. Hope this helps.

 

i have 03 r1 16k miles same problem in second. shifts in and when you get on it hard it slams back into neutral and sometimes back into second. i have no clue how to fix. any help would be greatly apreciated!!!!

 

I just did this and parts you need to replace are the shift forks, 2nd and 5th gear cause the mesh together, Shift cam. If you want I have a tranny that works and shift cam. I would do like I did and undercut 2nd so you won't have the issue come up anymore. My shift forks were bent and thats why it pops in and out of gear. Hope this helps you.

 

I've always seen this similar problem in 5th on the Hondas. It's cause by guys slamming it down a gear to pass on the freeway. The Yamahas are more finiky about the 1-2 shift than any other bike I have ridden. You're less likely to hit neutral but it goes in with a thunk if you get it wrong. Basically, the problem is caused by the dogs rounding on the gears because they are trying to engage under a load. Balancing throttle, clutch, and shift timing for the smoothest shifts will prevent this problem from occuring. Of course, there is nothing more fun than slamming through the gears at full throttle.

 

2nd gear problem

Hi, I have a 99 R1, and having the 2nd gear problem. So can you tell me what needs to be done to have it repair !! Thanks

 

You've got to open up the transmission, the problem will be obvious. I'ts most likely rounded dogs on the gears and somewhat less likely bent shift forks. You'll need to replace the damaged gears. The parts aren't very expensive but the labor is extensive.

 

I think the problem is endemic to the 98-2003 R1's because of the way they are geared and the engine is tuned. On the newer 2004+ they are geared higher in the low gears, so less power is available to munch the gears.

Having said that, this isn't just limited to R1's, or even yamaha. My old 250 started to get a bit weak in second. Would jump straight out under a bad shift (worn dogs I assume).

 

hey!

my 03 has 25k, and has had that issue since around 18k, but now its getting a bit worse, specially with the wife in the back.

whats the average cost for replacement?

if its too much im just gonna get another low mileage motor, swap it, and build up whats on there now.

 

when this happens to you guys, does it actually fall back into neutral with the light on the dash or does it just rev like its in neutral?

 

2nd gear

Cant say ive seen my neutral light come on but it feels like the chains jumping the sprocket

 

Guide To Repair 2nd Gear

http://www.perthstreetbikes.com/forum/f14/2003-yamaha-r1-gearbox-overhaul-66257/

this guy does it from scratch, hope this helps you guys

 

my only issue with second gear is that sometimes I dont shift hard enough to engage it and it just goes from first to neutral then i have to let the rpm's come down before i try to get into 2nd with a loud clunk

 

I have a slight problem with this, AND, I'm not trying to start a war here, but not shifting "hard enough" is a mis-shift on your part. You need not shift "harder", just be more positive on throttle and footwork. When you say the RPMs need to drop to grab the next gear and you hear that loud "clunk", it's also a mis-shift. When you miss a gear like you have described, you need to blip the throttle before simply grabbing the next gear, and the next gear should be the next higher gear (which we understand). Anytime you hear noise in your trans. while shifting/missing gears, know that your shaving life off it. Some of the replys I've read could be no fault of the current owners, 2nd hand bikes can be a major gamble depending on the prior owner (looks aren't everything). Take this for what it's worth, that is all...flame on

 

triplestrong you seem to have good valuable knowledge, i have a 02 bought it with 14k now has 21k i feel like its starting to shift harder. when going into 2nd i get a loud klunk or shifting down into 1st sometimes gives me a loud klunk. I just put a new clutch cable on and i try to be easy on my baby. I ride 2 gear power wheelies sometimes but never really beat on her to hard. What do you think my problem is and maybe im not shifting right ive rode for years but who know. i love this bike and would like to hear your advice! Seems like 3rd and up always shift super smooth. plss

 

I have an 02 r1 and it has 45,xxx miles on the motor and has never been cracked open, but second gear is now going out. When im driving normal second works just fine, but once I get hard on the throttle it starts popping out of gear, but I have never had the bike pop completely out of gear. I do however have another complete and good tranny that I would like to eventually swap, but if im able to ride the bike like it is why not ride it till it goes. I do have a question thou, for everybody that has had a 2nd gear undercut. Where do you go to have this done and how much does it cost?