HP-Can't Use It

[old1951]

I have an '02 K1200RS with about 11K on it. I bouqht it used about 6 months ago with 7,810 miles. In general the bike runs great and shifts fine under normal riding condition (well as good as any clunky K1200 shifts). I've had a problem since I bought it when trying to shift from 1st to 2nd gear under high engine loading (i.e. 8,500-9,000 RPM). Under those conditions it literally won't shift. Acts like the linkage is bound up? Make the shift at 6K and it shift fine? Before I tear into it to look for a solution, I was wonder if anyone else has had this problem? If so did you find a cure? Maybe this is typical of the K1200RS, but I doubt it. It's kind of embarrassing to be running wheel to wheel with a Japanese Rice Rocket and not be able to hang with him because all the HP in the world is useless if you cant control it. Love to hear some input from other K1200RS owners?

[Flyboy08]

When ever I read this issue on the RS it ALWAYS comes down to either the boots or not letting the shifter fall back because of the boots. :rolleyes:

[Ted Shred]

When ever I read this issue on the RS it ALWAYS comes down to either the boots or not letting the shifter fall back because of the boots. :rolleyes:

Yeah I made that same mistake when I bought mine back in 03. You have to completely release the shifter between upshifts...

[old1951]

Soooo, I take it to mean that large boots combined with the cramped spacing between the footpeg and the shifter is not allowing the shift lever to fully release? I've thought about getting creative with the shift lever and moving the end further away because it seems quite cramped with the footpegs in the lower position. Germans must have small feet because my boots are tight unless my toes point directly at the ground. I'm also considering building a short-shift linkage which would reduce the throw by about 50%. Thanks for your inputs. I think your comments are enough to make me go for the shift linkage mod I've been toying with.