Was The M109R 2ND Gear Failure Ever Fixed?

[@s.s.goldwing9797]

That M109R is a beautiful bike! Looked like a great day to be riding😊be safe brother

[@richthereturnrider6737]

Thanks brother. 60+ temps. Can’t complain. Thanks for watching.

[@DragunAir]

Please look in your bike manual. It should say that you should change 1- 2 gears before you reach about 40km/h. Obviously not many if any dudes read that manual prior riding their bikes like a sports bikes. That leads to gear falier. Great video. Thanks

[@richthereturnrider6737]

@@DragunAir Wow! That is interesting observation. Great info. Facts. We might look up specs but don’t acknowledge the manual and follow it. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@joe2479]

Yes, I agree. I'm looking at a 2024 M109R. No ABS, no traction control, no quick shifter, and no cruise control. All of which Suzuki has on many of their other motorcycles. It is really annoying how Suzuki refuses to update many of the iconic motorcycles they make - DR650, Vstrom 650, and M109R. All they do is change the paint!

[@richthereturnrider6737]

@@joe2479 today I would not purchase a bike without ABS, or cruise control. The sports bikes now have ABS and riding modes. Suzuki have lost their minds.

[@m109nak]

I'm over in the uk and had a 08 m109 (intruder here) for 10 years and put 44k on it from new......never had second gear troubles but the clutch was never the best and suffered from lack of oil suply to the clutch plates which lead to some shakey take off's.....i now own a 2017 and can confirm the gear changes are better and have had no trouble at all with the clutch......i think suzuki modified it in 2010

[@richthereturnrider6737]

So you’re thinking the fix was in the Clutches. Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@Solley2010]

Do you have a website link for those engine crash bars .. thanks man 👍🏻

[@djreggieregrr2420]

Good afternoon Rich just found your channel. I am a M109 owner 2009 and there is a very hard second gear love the bike. Cornering is not all that great but this is my 12th motorcycle coming off of a Hayabusa. It would be nice if they would address that but I also have a 2016 Ford Mustang That has a evap coil issue and a lot of them do my workaround is sealing it. They wanted 1800 to fix 1000 miles after the warranty which requires taking out the dash definitely should’ve been a recall..

[@richthereturnrider6737]

@@djreggieregrr2420 Thanks for watching. Anytime there is a multitude of similar failures in a specific brand of automobiles. The manufacturer should be responsible for correcting it at they cost. They loose credibility to me. Good luck with the M109R. It’s a fun bike. Ride safe.

[@1INSOLENTDOBERMAN]

I have watched lots of videos on the 2008 M109r , seems most of the people don’t seem to have problems with the clutch or transmission. The most complaints I’ve seen is usually a smaller person seems to have complaints on the turning (like a U-Turn) or it’s too big with the width or size of gas tank. So most the complaints I have seen or heard from different people is the bike is just too big for them, everyone has different body types. But I know a guy who has an M109r (2008) and he said it runs great 👍🏼 & hasn’t ever had a problem. Now I heard that their is clutch kits that people can buy for it, if someone knows the name of the clutch kit (like brand name and model name/number?) please tell me , I would like to look into it. Great 👍🏼 video by the way!

[@richthereturnrider6737]

Thanks. Absolutely no problems with U turns or handling. Practicing with any bike makes it very rideable. I was taught that from the first class I took. I was hoping by doing this video I would get a lot more feed back on the fix, if there was any for this issue. I don’t have this 2nd gear failure problem but was hoping to prevent it. Thanks for watching. Get in a parking lot and practice being the BOSS of your M109r. Ride safe.

[@kellyoconnor7896]

I have the 2008 and have clutch shudder and second gear problems.

[@bradcross6482]

Suzuki did NOT fix the gearbox issue. Confirmed in bikes as new as 2018 model. 2nd gear dogs get rounded off, shift forks get damaged and shift shaft gets bent. Only fix is to get new 2nd gear set, get them undercut. New shift forks and billet shift shaft. There is also an oil jet mod you can do aswell, which helps in even lubrication.

[@richthereturnrider6737]

Wow that’s disappointing to hear. Thanks for this great info. How are they still selling the M109r with such a critical problem.

[@joe2479]

Rich how to like the windshield? Is there a lot of buffeting and noise? A review would be appreciated. Thanks

[@tdz69]

Hi Rich. Just found your channel…thank you for doing these videos. I’m looking to pick up an M109 soon and enjoy your thoughts and reviews. What year is your bike? If I missed it in the video my apologies.

[@richthereturnrider6737]

2012. Thanks and good luck on your search. Fun bike. Do your do diligence if used. Thanks for watching.

[@deboseworld8820]

Man I'm in gainesville purchased a 2007 m109r

[@richthereturnrider6737]

@@deboseworld8820 Congratulations. Awesome bike. Enjoy the ride.

[@dawidgogacz]

Hi, I just found your channel. Thank you for your input. I picked up a 2013 M109R yesterday with 4000 miles on. Im hoping its going to be ok. With your knowledge, what would you recommend for a new M109r owner in terms of preventing this issue from happening? is there any modifications or rule to go by in order to delay this issue? Im no fast rider by any means so any advice would be much appriciated.

[@richthereturnrider6737]

Thanks for watching. I am no expert but what I did was made sure my oil was change as schedule. Folks recommend Amsoil synthetic oil, I went with Yamalube. I ride my bike pretty hard but stopped power shifting it without using the clutch. Nothing else special. Congratulations on a fun bike and ride safe. S

[@dawidgogacz]

Thank you for your quick response. Im looking forward to your videos in future. @@richthereturnrider6737

[@jasonbourne4127]

Good input what type of exhaust you have on her?

[@richthereturnrider6737]

Thanks. Cobra Swept. Thanks for watching.

[@geraldscott4302]

You have one of those hideously ugly Willie G. skulls on a Suzuki? I bought an '06 Dyna several years ago, and it was just covered with them. Some were removeable, some I had to replace the parts they were cast into. It cost me over $400 inn new parts to get rid of all of them. I would have passed on the bike because of them, but it was otherwise in beautiful condition. I used to have a 1993 Goldwing SE that 4th gear failed on. I bought it used, and it came with floorboards and a heel and toe shifter. I was told that the previous owner probably rode with their foot on the shifter, putting pressure on the shift forks and drum, which eventually wore down enough that it would pop out of 4th gear on acceleration. This is apparently a common issue with all 1500 Goldwings. Remember that the transmission on the M109R came directly from the original Intruder 1400, That engine was then made into a 1500 and used in the huge but low powered Intruder 1500, and was eventually made even larger, and used in the M109R. It looks different on the outside, but I suspect that a lot of the internal parts are the same. I have never owned a motorcycle with ABS, and I never will. I believe the rider should be in total control of the bike. If you have not learned how to ride a non ABS bike properly, then you have not learned how to ride a motorcycle properly. Braking is a skill that every rider needs to learn. NEVER depend on a computer to control the bike for you. That is not what riding a motorcycle is all about. Riding a motorcycle properly requires a high degree of skill, and if you are not willing to acquire that skill, then riding a motorcycle is probably not for you. As a hot rodder and drag racer (cars) I know for a fact that if you modify an engine to make more power without modifying the bottom end, transmission, and rear axle to handle that extra power, then those parts WILL fail. They are only designed to barely handle stock power

[@richthereturnrider6737]

To each his own my friend. Bought the Sissy bars for the wife comfort. Really don’t know who Willy G is. Great info on the history and transmission development or lack there of . Absolutely agree technique over technology should be practiced for motorcycle control but ABS should be available today as an emergency backup. I don’t own a vehicle today that doesn’t have it including a 2008 Pickup truck. Thanks for watching. Ride safe.

[@tdz69]

Watched a clutch repair video here on KZbin. Seems like a DIY job in the garage with few tools. Maybe I’m wrong.

[@richthereturnrider6737]

The videos I watched showed extensive damage. Looked quite involved to me. I think I am pretty handy when it come to mechanics but a little to complex for me.