[EsEmDee]

Hey everyone - wanted to see if anyone thinks I have an issue in need of correcting here. When I come to a stop, like at a traffic light, and put the bike into neutral to wait for light to change, when I kick it down into 1st to proceed, it clunks rather loudly and the bike surges/jumps forward a bit. Most bikes I've owned do some level of this but my 2012 Tiger 1050 does it worse than any other bike I've owned.

Can I get some feedback on what your Tiger does in this situation? Is this pretty normal? Do I need to consider that I might have an issue of some sort?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

SMD

 

[eigenvector]

Sounds like clutch drag to me.

 

[GearHd6]

Yes, sounds like clutch drag to me also. What are you using for oil?

I'm sure you heard it before, but you should never put the bike in neutral while waiting for a traffic light to change.

 

[mikeg15]

I'm sure you heard it before, but you should never put the bike in neutral while waiting for a traffic light to change.

Please explain, my instructor said the exact opposite !

 

[inspector tom]

i have been riding for 45 years & never heard no neutral at a light. i would like to hear the reasoning behind that.

 

[amanger]

The clunk will get better as you get a few more miles on it, thats what I ve found over the last few Triumphs I ve had.

 

[Spartan Andy]

Hi, Check you have 2mm freeplay on the clutch lever firstly, Also try with the lever set on the longest travel setting, I think is number 4 on the rotary knob, If all OK and If this does not improve after you put a few more miles on the bike I would check with your triumph dealer as this could be that the clutch plates are sticking, Especially with the bike surging forward in first gear,
This was a known concern on some earlier built tigers were the clutches were removed and left to soak in oil overnight, They should carry this fix under warranty,

 

[johnjo]

My bike used to do that when new back in 2009.

That was the sticking clutch plate syndrome. The dealer took the plates apart during the first service and oiled them. That was done while I waited. Didn't need an overnight soaking. Problem sorted.

It's been OK ever since.



JJ

 

[GearHd6]

The reasoning for no neutral at a light... When you look in your mirror and see a car barreling down on you that doesn't see you or the red light, what are you going to do, push your bike quickly out of the way? You should stay in gear with an escape route in mind at every intersection. Lots of cars get rearended at stop lights, and that's a car, not a small bike.

 

[EsEmDee]

I really appreciate all the good feedback folks. After I posted this yesterday, I thought to myself "surely this has been asked/discussed before" and when I searched the forum database, I found a bunch of previous discussions on this topic. There are WILDLY differing opinions and suggestions regarding tranny clunk - so I am going to try a few different things over the next week of riding to see what helps:

1. already adjusted clutch lever out to furthest setting (I had it set for closest setting since I bought the bike - now I am trying the setting with the furthest travel for a bit to see if that helps.

2. I spun the clutch cable adjuster (at the lever) about 4 revolutions to take all the slack/free play.

These two adjustments did not make any discernible difference so far - I'll put some more miles on the bike before I adjust them again.

Several previous posts said to make darn sure there was sufficient slack in the chain - if too tight, it could magnify the tranny clunk problem.....checked the chain and it seems to be a little slacker than specs, so I don't think the issue is there.

As I have a mere 1,600 miles on the bike - perhaps time and mileage will mellow out the clutching/shifting.

Regarding the option of shifting to Neutral at stoplights - GearHd6 has a valid point - if you are in Neutral, you have no chance of evasive maneuvering in the event of a brain-dead texter failing to see you or the red light - it would suck to go out like that. I shift to Neutral at lights to rest my clutching hand - I find the clutch on the Tiger 1050 to be stiff and it feels good to rest the left hand in traffic/city riding. My tranny finds Neutral really easily - from 2nd gear as I am approaching a stoplight, I can tap down to Neutral almost every attempt...occasionally, it goes down to 1st and I have to toe-up to Neutral.

Again, thanks for all the feedback guys.

SMD

 

[99tbird]

In the states, many safety courses advise to stay in gear at a stoplight in order evade if neccessary.

 

[kback]

One solution (this from HAMLIN, a Triumph mechanic over on the Tiger1050 forum), is to fill your bike with oil all the way to the top, tie your clutch lever to the grip (to separate the plates), lean the bike over on the clutch side (against something solid), and let sit over night. Drain in the morning to the proper fill level, and (hopefully) have a non-sticking clutch. In the meantime, when in neutral, try counting to 5 after pulling in the clutch lever before you put it in 1st. If that doesn't help the clunk, you have a sticking clutch.

 

[EsEmDee]

kback - thanks for this tip from HAMLIN - I trust his advice for sure. I'll give this a go and let you guys know if this works. I think the most important thing for me to remember is to NOT forget to drain the excess oil - that would be a big F-up for sure.

Thanks.

SMD

 

[Æon]

Please explain, my instructor said the exact opposite !

That's why

 

[ANZAC78]

Basic MSF training:

When at stop - bike in first gear w/clutch in. Make sure the bike has an escape route.

Right foot on rear brake, left foot down.

Scan mirrors for cars/threats coming up too fast

When in doubt - bail out. That ones mine

 

[CSAW]

View attachment 56725

That's why

Exactly.

For the OP. When you pull the clutch in give things a second or two to stop spinning before putting it in gear. Don't pull clutch and hit shifter at the same time. Not suggesting your are doing this, just a thought.

 

[duncan67]

You have the slack too tight,the way you have it will make this issue worse and cause other shifting issues such as jumping out of gear when hittin bumps and such. The tiger is picky about clucth cable setting so dont expect to set it and forget it. I have to adjust mine at least once during a ride to keep it in the sweet spot. It is totally normal for the 1050 to jump a bit when put into 1st from n nut it should not jump forward.The chain should damn near touch the swing arm when puched up,keep the clucth cable and chain correct and all will be well. This is not a sticky clutch plate issue.