Ghost shifting on latest models??

[jpooch00]

Hi everybody! I'm on the verge of buying a '15 bagger from Honda of Russelville, but then I got to wondering if the current bikes still have that ghost shifting issue that I've read so much about.

I've done a lot of Google research and can't seem to find anything definite. I did see that there's a class action lawsuit against NAH for the older models, though.

Many thanks in advance for any and all info and opinions!

Y'all ride safe,

John

[CMReynolds1]

I bought a 2013 F6B demo and haven't had any shifting issues.

[Fatwing Chris]

Don't know if they're any better,but Mother Honda changed some of the gears in the 14 and up models.One of the guys on another site does a lot of tranny repairs and he has the gears undercut by a machine shop before he installs them.He also said he installed 14 gears in his personal bike and that he had them undercut as well.Says he's never had an 1800 shift so good.

[Viking]

Don't know if they're any better,but Mother Honda changed some of the gears in the 14 and up models.One of the guys on another site does a lot of tranny repairs and he has the gears undercut by a machine shop before he installs them.He also said he installed 14 gears in his personal bike and that he had them undercut as well.Says he's never had an 1800 shift so good.

Hey Chris, would you mind letting us know who he is and where he can be found? A guy like that could be a real benefit to someone when and if they have tranny shift problems. Thanks in advance either if you let me know, or even if you don't. I tend to collect names and phone numbers of guys who fully understand how some things work, that I am not expert on, like transmissions, electronics, computer modems - like that.

[jpooch00]

I think this is the guy Chris was talking about. If he can make a living fixing this problem, then it must be pretty common IMHO.

http://www.justwings.com/Cause.html

[Viking]

Thanks Pooch. I have added that web link to my "must know about" file on Honda Goldwings.

[Fatwing Chris]

I think this is the guy Chris was talking about. If he can make a living fixing this problem, then it must be pretty common IMHO.

http://www.justwings.com/Cause.html

Yeah that's him.GoldWingGreg on the other site.He takes alot of abuse over there for stuff he says,but he sure seems to know these trannys.All I can say is that I had the money and a way to get my bike to him then he would be the one fixing my trans if the time ever comes.

[PastoT]

I believe is was GoldWingGreg that mentioned recently new transmission gears he ordered were cut slightly different (undercut is the term I believe he applied). You'll read a lot more about ghost shifting and tranny issues on our forums as our riders will turn to the forums in higher percentages seeking advice. The actual number of tranny with issues is much smaller overall but it is a popular topic because it would be a major issue should it arise. I totally understand your hesitance and including ghost shifting as a purchase concern, but I have 86k on an 2002 and pull a trailer weekly and the only issues I've had is my occasional short shift to 2d where I end up in neutral (maybe 4 or 5 times in 2+ years). One thing to remember about our GL1800 tranny is that it isn't one you shift without using the clutch, its not synchronized (you might be able to, but its a bad idea period). Shifting RPM should be around 2500 rpm per the owner's manual (I can't remember specific value) so avoid upshifting to early it gains nothing and can lug the engine. Tranny issues can occur but not as often as you'll read about in a forum and newer model gears reportedly are slightly undercut to preclude the issue and its not that common overall. By the way I've never read of a ghost shifting issue arise until 10s of thousands of miles have been run, on earlier GL1800s it either happens or it doesn't. I think it has a lot to do with how the owners shift and treat their machine as well.

[jpooch00]

Thanks Pooch. I have added that web link to my "must know about" file on Honda Goldwings.

No problem at all. Happy to help!

[jpooch00]

I believe is was GoldWingGreg that mentioned recently new transmission gears he ordered were cut slightly different (undercut is the term I believe he applied). You'll read a lot more about ghost shifting and tranny issues on our forums as our riders will turn to the forums in higher percentages seeking advice. The actual number of tranny with issues is much smaller overall but it is a popular topic because it would be a major issue should it arise. I totally understand your hesitance and including ghost shifting as a purchase concern, but I have 86k on an 2002 and pull a trailer weekly and the only issues I've had is my occasional short shift to 2d where I end up in neutral (maybe 4 or 5 times in 2+ years). One thing to remember about our GL1800 tranny is that it isn't one you shift without using the clutch, its not synchronized (you might be able to, but its a bad idea period). Shifting RPM should be around 2500 rpm per the owner's manual (I can't remember specific value) so avoid upshifting to early it gains nothing and can lug the engine. Tranny issues can occur but not as often as you'll read about in a forum and newer model gears reportedly are slightly undercut to preclude the issue and its not that common overall. By the way I've never read of a ghost shifting issue arise until 10s of thousands of miles have been run, on earlier GL1800s it either happens or it doesn't. I think it has a lot to do with how the owners shift and treat their machine as well.

Thanks for the info!

Yeah, I plan to ride mine per the manual's recommendations and have no desire to ever find out what the top speed is nor to find the max lean-angle either. I got all that out of my system on the sports bikes I've owned back in the day (WAY back!).

[WingAdmin]

Yeah, I plan to ride mine per the manual's recommendations and have no desire to ever find out what the top speed is nor to find the max lean-angle either. I got all that out of my system on the sports bikes I've owned back in the day (WAY back!).

Maximum lean angle is about 45 degrees.