Weird grinding noises when downshifting...

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NinjaNoob

Member
Hi, I've just noticed since yesterday that once every so often when I am downshifting at the red light or before a corner, I hear this grinding noise after stepping on the gear shifter and sometimes it does not switch down a gear. I ride a Ninja 250r 2011 and just got my first service done last week ago. Any thoughts on if this is normal or not?

Thanks
 
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I would say check the gear oil level but its usually a 2 year cycle to change. Doubt the shop would've touched it..might check to make sure. You might need to replace a crush washer after you check (going off of my bike..not familiar with the differences with yours). Might want to double check your clutch cable too..maybe a little loose?
 
Sounds like the dogs aren't fully catching sometimes.
 
NinjaNoob said:
Thanks for the tips. I'll check on it tonight after work.
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Do you downshift after you stop (like pull in clutch and coast + brake to stop, then down), or while you're slowing down?
 
You sure you are downshifting properly?
If your revs drop too low gears will grind. You have to blip the throttle to downshift.

Or you might need to readjust your clutch.
 
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I had this problem for a little while when I started.. it was a my clutch dragging slightly. Also make sure you are firm with your shifting
 
OP read http://www.gadgetjq.com/transmission.htm and you should get a rough idea of how a tranny work. My guess is you're not downshifting right; which could be a major problem as your dogs will get ground down to the point where it won't stay connected and slip out of gear.
 
Sabex said:
Do you downshift after you stop (like pull in clutch and coast + brake to stop, then down), or while you're slowing down?
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If its to a red light or a stop sign, i would pull clutch in, brake, and then downshift to first gear. When downshifting to a corner, i would brake, clutch in, blip, downshift and feather clutch out + throttle.
 
daught said:
You sure you are downshifting properly?
If your revs drop too low gears will grind. You have to blip the throttle to downshift.

Or you might need to readjust your clutch.
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Good point, from the advice everyone has given me, perhaps the problem is I am coasting for too long (Clutch in, throttle off) and letting my RPM's drop quite a bit before i start downshifting at a complete stop. The right way is to either blip it down to first gear or brake until close to the red light/stop sign and then pull clutch in? I apologize for noob Qs
 
NinjaNoob said:
Good point, from the advice everyone has given me, perhaps the problem is I am coasting for too long (Clutch in, throttle off) and letting my RPM's drop quite a bit before i start downshifting at a complete stop. The right way is to either blip it down to first gear or brake until close to the red light/stop sign and then pull clutch in? I apologize for noob Qs
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You can engine brake along with regular braking. Which is basically downshifting and letting out the clutch with no throttle applied (still need to blip before downshifting) so the engine will slow down the bike.

Or you can pull in the clutch, and downshift as you slow down; but stay in a gear matching your speed. So don't downshift all at once; downshift periodical as you slow down (along with blipping the throttle before downshifting.) This is helpful incase you need to let the clutch out and accelerate. Some cases that would be useful would be if the light turns green before you stop or you need to speed up to avoid a vehicle/accident (like someone coming up on your rear fast, and it doesn't look like they'll be able to stop/slow down before hitting you.)

If you let the clutch out and you're going too fast for the gear the bike is in, you risk locking up the rear (very dangerous) and over revving your engine.



Personally, I'm a fan of engine braking.
 
I had that...turned out my chain needed adjustment...was slapping while downshifting and causing a "griding" sorta noise.
 
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