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Kawasaki's Positive Neutral Finder
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:09 am
by talldude
What is Kawasaki's Positive Neutral Finder?
Thanks!
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:36 am
by anarchy
google : Kawasaki's Positive Neutral Finder?
first url returned from google
in theory, when stopped, it basically prevents one from shifting into second gear when trying to find neutral.
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:39 am
by talldude
I sure didn't but thanks for the reminder.
From the link for anyone else who may be wondering:
"Positive Neutral Finder system is a device that prevents the transmission from shifting from first into second when it is at a standstill. Once the bike is under way, the centrifugal force of a spinning transmission shaft disengages the device, ideally allowing unhindered upshifts."
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:10 am
by Gummiente
And just in case you believe the Kawi literature about it being exclusive to them, the Royal Enfield had a neutral finder on their bikes as far back as 1950.

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:04 am
by tortus
I really liked the neutral finder and wish my Suzuki had one, if you're looking at this as possible positive on a possible bike to purchase.
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:18 am
by Shorts
It would be great to have one on my bike. At a light or stop I need to find N as quick as possible, not little around killing precious stop time. I have to have to have my bike in N to fiddle with my helmet or anything on the bike.
I guess I could just kill it each time by dropping the clutch and sitting on the brake, but I don't rightly like having my bike turned off on the street.
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:03 am
by flynrider
What a timely post! Someone just asked me yesterday about the positive neutral finder on Kawasakis. I had to admit that even though I've owned six Kaws that were supposedly equipped with the feature, I never really knew what it was supposed to do. Frankly, I still don't see that it makes much difference. If you're in 1st, just a little upward pressure on the shifter should pop it into neutral. I do this every day on my Honda when I pull up into the driveway after work. I never noticed that it was any different from my Kawasakis.
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:32 am
by flw
I would agree with flynrider that it makes no real difference in normal riding or stopping/starting. I would not consider it a factor in buying a bike at all and I have it on mine.
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:37 pm
by Shorts
flynrider wrote:What a timely post! Someone just asked me yesterday about the positive neutral finder on Kawasakis. I had to admit that even though I've owned six Kaws that were supposedly equipped with the feature, I never really knew what it was supposed to do. Frankly, I still don't see that it makes much difference. If you're in 1st, just a little upward pressure on the shifter should pop it into neutral. I do this every day on my Honda when I pull up into the driveway after work. I never noticed that it was any different from my Kawasakis.
So you guys have never had trouble when you stopped on a slight incline and the bike absolutely refuses to cooperate to get into N? You've never had to roll it back and forth?
Seems like I've done it at least once a ride stopping at random rest stops, parking lots, side of the road.
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 1:13 pm
by flw
Shorts wrote:flynrider wrote:What a timely post! Someone just asked me yesterday about the positive neutral finder on Kawasakis. I had to admit that even though I've owned six Kaws that were supposedly equipped with the feature, I never really knew what it was supposed to do. Frankly, I still don't see that it makes much difference. If you're in 1st, just a little upward pressure on the shifter should pop it into neutral. I do this every day on my Honda when I pull up into the driveway after work. I never noticed that it was any different from my Kawasakis.
So you guys have never had trouble when you stopped on a slight incline and the bike absolutely refuses to cooperate to get into N? You've never had to roll it back and forth?
Seems like I've done it at least once a ride stopping at random rest stops, parking lots, side of the road.
I have that problem now, I still have to "rock the boat" to get out of or into a gear in that situation. The Neutral finder does not help get the trans out of one gear and into another. Its pretty useless in my opinion.