Ask The Editors: Eiger Shifting Trouble
When semi-autos ruled the world.
I took it out again and hour later, and had difficulty getting it into neutral, went for a ride, and it shifted fine, but when I went to start it back up, I could only get gears 3, 4 and 5. I rocked it and was able to get to neutral. Started it up and then I couldn’t get out of 1st gear. I should mention, that someone was attempting to move the quad while it was in gear by pushing it – not sure if that has anything to do with it.
Your Eiger Manual uses a transmission that used to be very, very popular in the real of ATVs- a 5 speed gear box like a full manual clutch machine but with an automatic clutch; one that engages via centrifugal force every time you ease off the throttle. These were called “semi-automatics” for a while.
These days fully auto CVTs have pretty much phased out the semi-autos like yours but the symptoms you describe sound to us like a very simple fix. Have you checked your engine oil level? Low oil will cause all of the symptoms you describe as the same oil that provides lubrication for the top end (piston) in a semi-automatic also provides crucial lubrication for the lower end as well (clutch, gears).
If the oil level is up there- changing it to fresh will usually help a great deal. Old, broken down oil will also make shifting much more stubborn. Lastly if it’s been recently changed, pick up ATV specific oil and switch to that. You will recognize it because it will say “specifically formulated for wet clutches” – which is what you have here. It will contain additives that keep clutch slipping to a minimum unlike regular 4-stroke oil of the same weight.
