[DavidO]

Hey gang .. I want to buy a CBR300 and I found a 2015 with 15k miles. My expert rider friend (has owned many bikes) couldn't find neutral during test drive. Seller says he can find it but doesn't use it very often.
Local dealer says it likely needs clutch replacement but he can't even look at the bike for a week.
Any experience based guesses on what's likely the issue and/or any advice on cost of a clutch job for a CBR300??

(Complete newb here so apologies in advance for asking stupid things!)

 

[kiwi rider]

Hi David, yes neutral is harder to find if the clutch is not disengaging fully when the lever is pulled in. But generally this just means that the clutch needs cable adjustment not that the clutch plates need to be replaced like the dealer is suggesting. I'd be very surprised if the clutch is worn out at 15,000 k's. There is an adjuster on the clutch lever perch (holder) that you can use quickly without tools. Have a read here:

How To: Clutch Cable Free Play Adjustment

Small, or minor adjustments to the clutch cable free play are made at the cable adjuster, located under the dust boot on the clutch lever perch... Loosen the knurled Jam Nut using a pliers, and then rotate the adjuster to end up with about 5 mm of free play, as measured at the gap between the...

www.cbr300forum.com

Some bikes are easier to find neutral on than others. A tip is to select it while your rolling to a stop. Once the transmission stops spinning its harder to select. If you have come to a complete stop then turn the engine off and rock the bike backwards and forwards a bit (with the clutch out) while you try.

If the seller says he " doesn't use it very often" then that rings alarm bells, but only if you really are having trouble getting it into neutral as it could signal a gearbox issue. Good luck.

 

[DavidO]

Thanks very much for the great guidance! Heading off to buy a bike ...

 

[Brazen]

If the seller says he " doesn't use it very often" then that rings alarm bells, but only if you really are having trouble getting it into neutral as it could signal a gearbox issue. Good luck.

Kiwi - why does that ring alarm bells?
I don't feel I often use neutral while riding and wondering if there's something I'm missing that could be harmful to the gearbox.

 

[kiwi rider]

Kiwi - why does that ring alarm bells?
I don't feel I often use neutral while riding and wondering if there's something I'm missing that could be harmful to the gearbox.

Nah your all good mate, I just meant that if the seller was using that line as a cover up or excuse because there actually WAS something wrong with his gearbox that he was trying to hide. As you were.

 

[Brazen]

Kiwi-
Geez!
Made the mechanically challenged one fear there's something wrong with chillin' at stop lights in 1st. Lol

But you're right, claiming that as a cover up for an issue is shady.

 

[mbjenkins]

There's a pretty serious crank shaft recall for 2015 & 2016 models that requires a complete engine tear-down. Make sure the warranty work has been done. If it hasn't and you still want to buy the bike, know which dealer you would take it to and verify there aren't any issues with your getting the warranty repair. Good luck.

 

[Raph]

Hey gang .. I want to buy a CBR300 and I found a 2015 with 15k miles. My expert rider friend (has owned many bikes) couldn't find neutral during test drive. Seller says he can find it but doesn't use it very often.
Local dealer says it likely needs clutch replacement but he can't even look at the bike for a week.
Any experience based guesses on what's likely the issue and/or any advice on cost of a clutch job for a CBR300??

(Complete newb here so apologies in advance for asking stupid things!)

Got my 2016 CBR300RA 2nd hand a few years ago. Found it difficult to get into and out of neutral. Then (as Kiwi Rider already suggested), I adjusted my clutch cable and found it much easier to get into neutral. Sometimes I need to roll it a bit and try again to get it out of neutral. I use neutral only when I need to get off the bike quickly while engine running, like closing gates/garage doors. I always stay in gear in traffic so I can move quickly if necessary.

 

[Gromit]

I never had any problem finding neutral on my CBR once I adjusted the clutch properly. Same with my CB300R. It's always worth spending a bit of time getting the clutch adjustment correct on any bike.

 

[MoonShineBurner]

🤔 when do y’all use NEUTRAL ???
And what for ??

 

[kiwi rider]

🤔 when do y’all use NEUTRAL ???
And what for ??

Is this a trick question?

 

[Gromit]

🤔 when do y’all use NEUTRAL ???
And what for ??

Perhaps when I can't decide which gear to select.

 

[MoonShineBurner]

Is this a trick question?

Is there any other kind of question? 😁