Rear wheel wind-up

[seahog]

G'day, all:

I put my '07 R12RT up on the center stand, put the transmission in 1st gear, and find that I can turn the wheel back & forth approx 2 ~ 3 inches (measured at the outside of the tire). Does anyone know if this is about normal? Lately I have noticed some slack when getting off the throttle while slowing down for a stop, etc., and I just don't remember it always being this way. The bike has about 4500 miles since new. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Firefight911]

Completely normal. You are seeing the cumulative effect of drive line lash.

 

[motoguy128]

Yup... if I counted right, there's 5 spline or gear interfaces between the crankshaft and rear axle. plus any slack on the primary reduction or in the tranny is amplified by the gearing by the time it gets to the rear wheel.

[finallyabeemer]

Good info. Based on this, I assume it also normal to hear clunking when creeping in traffic and having to engage/disengage the clutch?

[LuckyLeif]

Good info. Based on this, I assume it also normal to hear clunking when creeping in traffic and having to engage/disengage the clutch?

Well, mine does it and the R12GS I had previously did it.

[finallyabeemer]

Thank you. I'll move it from the "concerning" list to the "mildly annoying" list!

[motoguy128]

The drivetrain slop is a little annoying at times. I find it's best to enter turns a little slower and roll on to neutral throttle well before the apex of the turn. In traffic and at parking low speeds keep some forward drive with the throttle, but use the rear brake to control your speed.

 

Chain drive or belt drive bikes only have 3 interfaces. and the last one has a set of rubber bumpers (cush drive) to dampen the shock.