Took out the Foreman today...I noticed the electric shift, going up past 2 would not go the first time I pressed the shift button. After riding it and going thru the gears it shifted fine. Is this normal? I did have it in the rain last week and washed it yesterday but I would have thought it was sealed and not corrode the contacts. Or do I need to take it in for Honda to look at it before the warr is up?

 

I have a brand new 2003 foreman 450 es and it does the same thing.
Some times when the engine is first started cold and i go through the gears for the first time I have to push the button 2 times to get it to shift.
Then after that it is fine, and it doesnot happen all the time?
I feel that the electric shift solenoid may apply with a calibrated amount of force otherwise it my bend something in the transmission and with the oil cold it may take 2 clicks to shift the first time.
but after that it should shift fine.

 

I have a 2001 Rancher ES. If the rpm's are too high because of throttle application, it will not shift into first by design. It will, also, not go into gear if you are rolling in neutral (such as rolling downhill after releasing the brakes). These are design features of the ESP programming. I hope this helps.