Synthetic Oil Vs. Shifter 'Clunk'.

[mobandy78]

Hey Skip, I fairly close to you compared to the others. You're going to get that clunk no matter what. I run Rotella 5W-40 and it seems to handle our Oklahoma climate pretty well. I've used the past 4 or 5 oil changes. Before that my dad used Kawi's oil from the dealership. There wasn't any noticeable change in the clunk noise with either one. It's nice and "quieter" at first, but the clunk comes back. Hope that helps.

[Kedosto]

Originally Posted by ray2

... As for the shifting its not the oil its how you shift.

Definitely. Synthetic oil helps (when it's fresh), but short shifting at a quick tempo is the key. I'm into second gear halfway through the intersection. No clunking.

[replay13]

Originally Posted by bap

I have just purchased my 2011 vaquero and would like to know if there is any advice any one can give me about it? I also have a 900 custom that I enjoy as well. Thanks

Its a good bike, just ride and enjoy. Later if you want better sound and more torque you can do the big three. Pipes, Air Kit, and fuel processor.

Lots of good ways to personalize it also. The best money I spent on my Nomad was to add a drivers back rest.

Btw: Welcome to the forum

James

[Vulcan Hammer]

Originally Posted by bap

I have just purchased my 2011 vaquero and would like to know if there is any advice any one can give me about it? I also have a 900 custom that I enjoy as well. Thanks

I don't like to Hi-Jack a thread, but since you asked:

Compared to other large displacement cruisers, the "Throttle-by-Wire" on the 1700 is poorly designed or calibrated. Coming from a smaller displacement bike you may not notice this, but I had a VTX1800R and a Roadstar 1700 previously, and the Kawi 1700 seemed significantly underpowered by comparison. You had to twist the throttle much further than on other bikes to get any meaningful forward motion ;)

There is a noticeable lag between turning the throttle and power delivery on the 1700s. Kawi took their standard throttle tube cam profile from other models and expected it to work well on the Vulcan 1700s...well, it doesn't.

Argueably, the best money you will spend on the 1700 is to get the RACNRAY Throttle Tube Mod. The RACNRAY specially re-profiled throttle tube eliminates the lag and makes throttle response much snappier. Some (but not all) of the 1700s also had poor low speed throttle manipulation or surging. The RACNRAY Mod fixes this issue too.

Note: I am in no way connected to RACNRAY, just a very satisfied customer.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by mobandy78

Hey Skip, I fairly close to you compared to the others. You're going to get that clunk no matter what. I run Rotella 5W-40 and it seems to handle our Oklahoma climate pretty well. I've used the past 4 or 5 oil changes. Before that my dad used Kawi's oil from the dealership. There wasn't any noticeable change in the clunk noise with either one. It's nice and "quieter" at first, but the clunk comes back. Hope that helps.

Thanks Matt, I'll try the Rotella Oil. BTW, love to ride up around the Tulsa parts, especially Skiatook Lake to Grand Lake area. Very pretty ride.

[Erilflynn]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

I use the Rotella T 15/w/40 oil, I find it makes for easier smoother shifts.
You can tell when your getting due for an oil change as the shifter feels a little sticky.

Have you always used this or have you tried the semi (T5) and full synthetic (T6) Rotella? Smoother shifts and quieting the engine is what I'm looking for. Thanks.

[bj31702]

I accepted my 1st to 2nd clunk on my 09 nomad. Changing the oil seemed to help with the gear noise but not the clunk.

[Gandalf]

Amsoil-pre-load the shiftlever and short shift seems to work well. You can also take a second or so going through neutral and then lift gently into second gear.

Sam:)

[redjay]

They changed some of the gearbox internals on the later 1700's (2011 ?) to help with the clunking. Mucker (mostly on the Delphi forum) stripped his 2010 engine and changed out those parts.

Synthetic oil did not help on my 2010 Voyager.
I have gone back to Kawasaki dino oil.

[majeff]

I did own a 2004 & 2008 Nomad best bikes ever and then I bought a 2010 Voyager without really riding it far enough before I bought it. After getting home and taking it on a long ride I was very disappointed in the 6 speed noisy transmission. I could not shift the bike to make the clunk quite. Kawasaki should be ashamed for selling such a defect. There isn't any oil that can make this problem quite and that is why after 8 months I traded to a different dealership.

[cactusjack]

The shifter "clunk" isn't an indication of a problem. That's how Kaw designed the 6-speed transmission. I don't know why everyone is so concerned about it. Harleys and Victories clunk as well. It's the way the gears are cut.

[majeff]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

The shifter "clunk" isn't an indication of a problem. That's how Kaw designed the 6-speed transmission. I don't know why everyone is so concerned about it. Harleys and Victories clunk as well. It's the way the gears are cut.

I,m aware of how the gears are made and I am aware of other bikes with the same problem and that is why I don't own one. At my age I want smooth and quite with hearing left in one ear quit is important to me. Just my own opinion.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by majeff

I,m aware of how the gears are made and I am aware of other bikes with the same problem and that is why I don't own one. At my age I want smooth and quite with hearing left in one ear quit is important to me. Just my own opinion.

It isn't a problem. It may be annoying to you, but it's how it was designed, there is nothing wrong with the transmission. There's nothing you can do to get rid of the clunk. I'm sure it "clunked" when you test rode it. The dealer didn't add a clunk just to aggravate you.

[landman]

cj has it right.the clunk is pretty typical on large v-twins that have the 6 speed tranny.kawi is no worse or better then harley or victory bikes.the
design goal favors reliability over quiet shifts to handle the considerable
torque.i have found the kawi six speed tranny to be very positive in the
way it changes gears with little effort and no missed shifts.neutral is allways easy to find.

[ringadingh]

I not sure if I could get used to the clunking in between gears on each shift. I'm sure I could live with the initial clunk from neutral to first.