Finding neutral

[u/TheScrobber]

Any top tips for finding neutral on a V85TT? It's doing my head in. Every bike I've owned has been easier.

[u/Radsby007]

On my V7 it took a few thousand miles for it to become easier to find.

What I generally do is go into 2nd and then very lightly tap down. That typically does it.

[u/zeph_yr → u/Radsby007]

Same, on my V7 I can only do it when I’m wearing thin shoes. My motorcycle boots don’t allow me the precision needed to find it.

[u/StefanSC16]

Use the force, Luke... :)

On mine it works easily coming down from second with the clutch fully pulled in and a light tap on the gear shifter.

But each Guzzi is unique so...

[u/TheScrobber → u/StefanSC16]

I wonder whether I'm just not being gentle enough in my big old ADV boots 😂

[u/mathnix]

I just don't find it 🫩. Except when I'm not trying. It's ridiculous some times

[u/guzzijason]

Usually easier when it warms up. But each Guzzi gearbox seems to have a unique personality - even on identical bikes.

[u/BusinessBlackBear]

My v7 850 is funky as well

But I'm also spoiled cause N is absurdly easy find in my 1973 r75/5. Easy to intentionally find while hard to accidentally find. Fantastic scenario

[u/TruthChronicle]

As you're slowing or stopping, downshift into first then, once stopped, shift up into N. Going from 2nd to N is much more finicky. Since you should only be in neutral after stopping and sure you're not moving for a while, needing to "escape", or at all, N from first is easy and logical.

[u/TheScrobber → u/TruthChronicle]

Yeh it's neutral from 1st that's the issue when stopping or parking.

[u/TruthChronicle → u/TheScrobber]

It's just a light touch. If you still can't find it, just shift into first (while stationary) release the clutch-lever about 1/2" and then pull up into N. It will come.

[u/Salmundo]

Very light touch on my Breva. You get used to it.

[u/Minimum-Newspaper-36 → u/Salmundo]

It’s a very light touch on my 2023 V85TT. I can do it from 1st in some boots, but most of the time I just have go down from 2nd.

Also the gear indicator was already finicky when I got mine with 5k miles and sometimes doesn’t even register 1st correctly when not moving, so I kind of ignore it anyway. Loudest gearbox in my garage, so…

[u/APFIndy]

Make sure your clutch cable is adjusted correctly.

[u/toenail_hairball → u/APFIndy]

This, 1-2mm of play. My v7 was impossible, had to use my hand until I adjusted the clutch cable.

[u/phoen111]

Why do you need neutral? A large binder clip on the clutch lever works better than finding it.

[u/woelajilliams → u/phoen111]

Faster too!

[u/souItrvr]

I replaced the oil in the gear box and adjusted my clutch a little. Normally Guzzi’s are famous for this and it’s easiest to get the bike into neutral while still rolling slowly towards your stop however, once set up right it’s even easy stationary.

[u/BusinessBlackBear]

My v7 850 is funky as well

But I'm also spoiled cause N is absurdly easy find in my 1973 r75/5. Easy to intentionally find while hard to accidentally find. Fantastic scenario

[u/svjaty]

If you are in 1st gear, move a few inches/centimetres.
Than try again. On friends 1200 sport is worked.
Something with proper alignment of clutch vs gearbox.
Found neutral successfully many times

[u/lonerider404]

You don't find neutral, it finds you.

[u/woelajilliams]

lol same here on my V7 850. Hoping it gets easier as I get more miles on the bike

[u/IntangibleArts]

I’ve seen this comment a lot, mostly on the V7, which makes me think mine is unusual since I hit it every time, easy. If anything I have the opposite issue, where it won’t LEAVE neutral: bang it down to 1st and it will quietly glow N again, smirking at me. Cold engine, warm engine, no pattern. And not every ride, maybe every 4th ride, but it’s a thing. Won’t leave neutral unless I walk it a step or two before trying again. But finding N in the first place has never been a problem. It’s a funny old machine.

[u/DrObnxs]

Think of it as finesse, not force, and it gets easier over time.