First Post/First Time Honda Owner - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

KKB · 02-03-2012, 02:01 PM

Hey guys,

I just picked up a new to me 2008 Honda Foreman 500 manual shift. I have mainly owned Kawasaki bikes that were automatics, but prefer the quiet running Hondas and the ability to shift to a higher gear for less noise when in the woods. I notice that these bikes, or mine in particular, shift very hard through all the gears, especially when down shifting. So much so, that the tires grab quite a bit. Is this normal? Is there a way to adjust how hard it shifts? I know this bike has a ton of torque, but any help is much appreciated.

KKB

Pcummine · 02-03-2012, 02:36 PM

lol to me its normal of the manual shift, i have had times that if i shift down at the wrong speed i'll end up almost going over the handle bars. its a bit of a learning curve to find the right speed to dwnshift

scrub33 · 02-03-2012, 02:37 PM

Welcome aboard buddy! Where are you in the rpm curve when shifting? And speed? Going up and down?

Tank · 02-03-2012, 02:44 PM

Welcome to the forum, from Georgia.

KKB · 02-03-2012, 03:15 PM

I sort of thought it may be normal but this baby has quite a bit of torque when shifting, so it is pretty new to me! I'm not really a guru on what rpm it is when shifting mainly letting off the throttle and shifting according to sound and past experiences with manual bikes. It very well could be this is just a larger motor than the past 250's and 360's that i had before. I'll check the speed when shifting and try to give you guys some more accurate information. Thanks a bunch for your reply.

rich450es · 02-03-2012, 03:53 PM

welcome to the forum !
does it lurch foward when you put it in first gear from nutrial ?
is it a ES or S model honda 500?
how is the idle high or low ?

whiskymud · 02-03-2012, 04:45 PM

Welcome to the board KKB.

KKB · 02-03-2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich450es

welcome to the forum !
does it lurch foward when you put it in first gear from nutrial ?
is it a ES or S model honda 500?
how is the idle high or low ?

Rich, it does lurch forward when putting it into first. It is an S model i believe. Good ole kick shifter. It seems to be idling a little low actually, but i just replaced the air filter and all the fluids when i got it. Mainly for peace of mind since it was used! Once the bike warms up, it will stay idling at a normal rpm without shutting off. I may just be a rookie with these Honda's, but I didnt know if the tires should grab everytime it shifts.

rich450es · 02-03-2012, 05:20 PM

try adjusting the clutch on the front cover . if you need a manual just PM me . it will show how to adjust it ......

KKB · 02-03-2012, 05:56 PM

Rich, I went ahead and downloaded it from one of your other posts. Thanks for the help!

02-03-2012, 02:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
KKB Honda Rider Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4	First Post/First Time Honda Owner Hey guys, I just picked up a new to me 2008 Honda Foreman 500 manual shift. I have mainly owned Kawasaki bikes that were automatics, but prefer the quiet running Hondas and the ability to shift to a higher gear for less noise when in the woods. I notice that these bikes, or mine in particular, shift very hard through all the gears, especially when down shifting. So much so, that the tires grab quite a bit. Is this normal? Is there a way to adjust how hard it shifts? I know this bike has a ton of torque, but any help is much appreciated. KKB

02-03-2012, 02:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pcummine Honda Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Alberta canada Posts: 153	lol to me its normal of the manual shift, i have had times that if i shift down at the wrong speed i'll end up almost going over the handle bars. its a bit of a learning curve to find the right speed to dwnshift __________________ 2012 foreman 500fm Natural camo 12" ITP black rims 29.5X10 & 29.5X12 Outlaws, 2" signature series lift (highlifter) Custom D&G exhaust, rad relocate, snorkel kit with guards, rear quadrax bumper Warn 2500 winch, 3rd headlight switch (honda kit), Powermadd hand guards with hand warmers my youtube channel 29.5's in snow coming soon HMF Optimizer - on order 2007 Rincon 680 - build in progress HMF, Powercommander, K&N, 710 kit Soon -> HL lift, 29.5's (from 500), BRGR, snorkel Last edited by Pcummine; 02-03-2012 at 02:39 PM.

02-03-2012, 02:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
scrub33 Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: louisiana Posts: 792	Welcome aboard buddy! Where are you in the rpm curve when shifting? And speed? Going up and down? __________________ sold 2008 Foreman 500ES (white) Coming late summer: 2012 Can am Commander 1000r check out my mudding videos here

02-03-2012, 02:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tank Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: May 2009 Location: Kennesaw Georgia Posts: 1,059	Welcome to the forum, from Georgia. __________________ F&AM Rockwell 191 PM 08 Foreman ES Camo XTREME 2" lift 26in Swamplites, ITP wheels Moose skid plate Tusk hand guards 1 1/2" wheel spacers 4" storage tube "Black" 2 50 cal ammo cans "Black" WARN XT2500 Hockey puck spring spacers 07 Recon ES Green 1 1/2" wheel spacers 2" lift Tusk hand Guards

02-03-2012, 03:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
rich450es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ludlow,mass Posts: 10,578	welcome to the forum ! does it lurch foward when you put it in first gear from nutrial ? is it a ES or S model honda 500? how is the idle high or low ? __________________ 2000 foreman 450 es-s the fking pig 14% 300 foretrax gear reduction 30in gorila silverbacks on C-5 wheels 2500lb warn winch superatv disk brake conversion kit 2in ssatv lift kit and progressive 512 shocks the original 4in PVC storage tube hurculined racks with rear cargo box czr loud exhaust , uni airfilter and drilled main jet foreman 450 parts for sale pm me for info**

02-03-2012, 03:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
KKB Honda Rider Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4	I sort of thought it may be normal but this baby has quite a bit of torque when shifting, so it is pretty new to me! I'm not really a guru on what rpm it is when shifting mainly letting off the throttle and shifting according to sound and past experiences with manual bikes. It very well could be this is just a larger motor than the past 250's and 360's that i had before. I'll check the speed when shifting and try to give you guys some more accurate information. Thanks a bunch for your reply.

02-03-2012, 04:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
whiskymud Honda Rider Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 71	Welcome to the board KKB. __________________ 2012 Foreman 500ES 26" Swamplites - 9" Front, 10" Rear 2000 LB SuperWinch 54" Cycle Country Plow

02-03-2012, 05:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
rich450es Honda Red Wing Rider Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ludlow,mass Posts: 10,578	try adjusting the clutch on the front cover . if you need a manual just PM me . it will show how to adjust it ...... __________________ 2000 foreman 450 es-s the fking pig 14% 300 foretrax gear reduction 30in gorila silverbacks on C-5 wheels 2500lb warn winch superatv disk brake conversion kit 2in ssatv lift kit and progressive 512 shocks the original 4in PVC storage tube hurculined racks with rear cargo box czr loud exhaust , uni airfilter and drilled main jet foreman 450 parts for sale pm me for info**

02-03-2012, 05:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
KKB Honda Rider Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4	Rich, I went ahead and downloaded it from one of your other posts. Thanks for the help!

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