This is not going according to plan. The bike isn’t shifting properly into third and fifth. I get several failed changes with the gear just simply refusing to go in at all. This is getting bad enough for me to ask whether this is usual from the internet.
The answer is mixed. A brand new gearbox will be tougher to shift than one that’s been used and had a chance to wear so that everything rubs along together nicely. A bit like getting a new member of the family. Things can grate but eventually the edges get worn off.
Given the bike is going back to the dealer anyway I ask them to check it. There is an issue. The funky quick shifter isn’t set up properly and might be an issue. They reset it and one of the staff takes my bike home that evening and back again instead of his company bike. The intent is to see whether its an issue.
The dealer gives me a F800 R Sport to ride home on and use whilst my bike is being fixed. This is yet another strain on my new biking capability as its yet another bike and I am not confident on mine yet. On the plus side it’s tiny. One of the lightest bikes I’ve ever ridden at 202kg and reasonably powerful at 90hp. Doesn’t feel powerful though for some reason. Not sure what it is but confidence isn’t something I have yet.
I absolutely hate the F800 with a vengeance. It feels like I’ve been punished for getting a bigger bike and not treating it properly. I’ve been put back in the beginner group again with the little baby bike to practice on. The F800 gets parked up when I get home, and not touched again until I have to take it back.
Three days later its raining and they call me to tell me the bike is ready. I can’t pick it up until Monday now given the time. Getting the additional miles on the R1200RT is going to be a race against time if the weather keeps up with the rain.
Andrew’s Bike Blog 