Brammo Owners Forum
Brammo Empulse Discussion => Brammo Empulse => Topic started by: tkthompson on August 01, 2013, 09:17:40 PM
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I noticed the past couple of rides that when I try downshifting from 2nd down to first, my bike doesn't want to go into first. It almost feels like it is stuck down in the gear as when I try to push down on the shifter it feels as though it is already down (it doesn't push down at all). Has anyone else experienced this? I have just over 200 miles on my Empulse.
Thanks,
Tammie
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Its a wet clutch. Has the oil had time to warm up and splash onto the clutch plates? I've had it too.... But only of I'm going pretty fast still and the oil is cool.
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The transmission will feel a lot better after 1,000 miles. I was missing shifts all over the place when I first got mine, but now with 3,500 on the clock, it feels (almost) as smooth as my Suzuki.
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My first shift of a ride from 1 to 2 is always difficult. The clutch just doesn't want to disengage. The other direction usually isn't as bad as the bike/oil has warmed up a bit before I shift back down. My bike has 2500 miles now. I'm going to have the clutch action checked when I go in next week for the recall fix.
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The very first trip taking my Empulse home, I got stuck between N-3 off the freeway ramp while waiting for a light, and I can't go down gear for the life of me. With the light turning green, I had to go to third gear and took off from it. Nowadays, when I can't shift gear at a stop, I know it will work once I rock the rear wheel forward and backward.
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Well on the way to work today, I noticed that the shifter did stay stuck down in 2nd gear. As soon as I gave it any throttle it would pop back up. I hope this resolves itself as the bike breaks in. I love the bike, but I wouldn't put up with that on my Ducati and don't think we should have to on the Empulse. Just because it's electric and we don't necessarily have to shift doesn't mean we shouldn't expect it to work correctly.
So, how about that tail tidy? I emailed Brammo but haven't heard back. Anyone having luck getting one lately?
Tammie
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Tammie -
I'd take the bike into your dealer for inspection. It may need an adjustment.
While the tranny will definitely get smoother and easier with break-in, not be able to get it out of a gear doesn't sound at all normal and certainly didn't occur during my break-in period.
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That's a good idea. I'll try to get back in to see them in the next couple of weeks. It seems to always happen when I am coasting up to a light and trying to get the most out of the regenerative braking. Once I slow down in second I try shifting into first and have had this issue.
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That's a good idea. I'll try to get back in to see them in the next couple of weeks. It seems to always happen when I am coasting up to a light and trying to get the most out of the regenerative braking. Once I slow down in second I try shifting into first and have had this issue.
Ah... more data. You MAY be experiencing what happens if you load the gears with too much force, in this case regen. Before the dealer, I'd suggest an experiment: Try using regen to brake in 2nd gear. As you're ready to downshift into 1st, twist the throttle a bit toward you until you hear the regen disappear (neutral forces; neither acceleration nor deceleration. At that point, so your shift and see if it isn't successful.
If successful, you may want to practice it several times in a row to start building muscle memory.
If it isn't at all successful after several tries, well, it's probably time for the dealer to adjust something.
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I think you are absolutely right. I read the post about smooth shifting and finding the "sweet" spot. I had felt that spot where it feels like it is just coasting, no load on the motor but didn't think much of it. Well, it's a huge factor in shifting. On my way home from work tonight I tried to shift when there was no load on the motor. What a huge difference, so much smoother. It makes sense but being so used to letting off the throttle all the way on an ICE bike I was just putting too much load on the motor. Great post about smooth shifting!
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Try using regen to brake in 2nd gear. As you're ready to downshift into 1st, twist the throttle a bit toward you until you hear the regen disappear (neutral forces; neither acceleration nor deceleration. At that point, so your shift and see if it isn't successful.
This wouldn't be an issue if the clutch actually would disengage when you pulled the lever. Brammo should consider adding information about this in the manual as the clutch operation seems pretty atypical. I was a bit concerned at first when my first up-shift of the day (while moving) would be difficult. It works much better when warmed up. (Winter might be interesting)
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If the bike is switched off, is it any easier to push with the clutch engaged vs disengaged?
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If the bike is switched off, is it any easier to push with the clutch engaged vs disengaged?
No difference at all. Either way the the motor turns over. Of course it doesn't take much effort to turn the motor over. Also note that the bike will move from a dead stop if in gear, clutched pulled in (disengaged), and you turn the throttle (obviously not good for the clutch).
The old trick of leaving the bike in gear so it doesn't roll off its side stand will not work. I guess I need to carry something to hold the brake on.
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The old trick of leaving the bike in gear so it doesn't roll off its side stand will not work. I guess I need to carry something to hold the brake on.
Ahhh my friend, you need to explore the Shinysideup Emporium of Farkle Delights. I am pretty sure he's the one that originally discovered this:
http://shop.ktm.com/com_en/brake-lever-lock.html (http://shop.ktm.com/com_en/brake-lever-lock.html)
The finest $10 piece of plastic you can buy.
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I'm glad this was reposted! I thought there was something wrong with my clutch engagement!
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On the subject of clutch engagement, mine has been sticking pretty badly for the last few hundred miles. I could literally start up cold, roll down the street in 1st at redline and then pull the clutch in. Despite the strong engine braking (Sport mode) the clutch wouldn't break loose for the first two to three attempts. I've owned many wet clutches but I've never had a splash oil system so this behavior is totally new to me. I think I only started to notice it recently because it's been worse. I just changed my oil early at 2700 miles and it was pretty thick with clutch material. I think the added viscosity was creating stronger suction between the plates and that's exacerbated the problem. After getting the fresh oil in there, it's much better but it is still a bit sticky when I first start up the bike.
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We just got done validating a performance clutch from Barnett for the Empulse R. I've got one in my personal bike and the TTX bikes are running them as well. Kevlar fibers and about 25% stiffer springs. I've been really happy with the improved performance over the standard clutch, which struggles to handle the 60 ft-lbs of torque running through it if the rider is aggressive (like me). The springs will help with the disengagement issue you mention and the stiffness change at the clutch lever is barely perceivable. Adam, our Service Manager, just got the part number to stock a few of these for service, but your dealer could also order them directly from Barnett with this part number. I would get it touch with Adam if you're interested.
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I noticed the past couple of rides that when I try downshifting from 2nd down to first, my bike doesn't want to go into first. It almost feels like it is stuck down in the gear as when I try to push down on the shifter it feels as though it is already down (it doesn't push down at all). Has anyone else experienced this? I have just over 200 miles on my Empulse.
Maybe you're already doing this, but try clutching out between downshifts. i.e... instead of grabbing the clutch and going 3rd to 2nd to 1st, go clutch in, downshift to 2nd, clutch out, clutch in, downshift to 1st.
You can kind of see/hear me do this in this video, each downshift is an independent event "click", "vrrroooo", "click", "vrrrrooo"... :
Shifting the Brammo Empulse R - Exit ramp downshift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi259Cpo4-c#ws)
As a bonus, you'll learn a technique that will keep you from locking up your rear wheel going into a corner under hard braking at the track! 8)
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Yeah, I already do that to try and make use of the regenerative braking as much as I can. When I wet to the dealer for the fender recall, they confirmed the issue but had n idea hw to fix it. I talked with Adam at Brammo and he was great. Their rep was going to be at the dealer that day and they were goin to discuss it with them. I think the mechanics at the dealerships will definitely have a learning curve and the early adopters will need to be patient. So far, Brammo has been great and I hope to hear back from the dealer soon.
My 600 mile oil change is also due. I will be doing that this weekend, so maybe that will help.
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Just curious... Why didn't Brammo go with a dry clutch? With a dry clutch you would be able to use whatever oil works the best in a gear box. Most of the MotoGP bikes now use a dry clutch, so it's not a power transfer issue.