My friend has shift problems on a honda 450es. We have tried several things that we have read on this forum.
The problem: Run machine - shut off - turn on and cannot shift up or down
Some tried solutions:
Always shut off in neutral - NO GOOD
Back off clutch adjustments - NOT THE ANSWER
Transport in neutral and park in level spots NOPE
Reseal all contacts on wires - NO!

Please help a friend on the far north east

Ride Safe And Sober

 

What are the problems, give us some details? Describe what the 450 is doing or not doing!

 

Call the place where u bought it at and ask them, we got a letter in the mail saying that honda had found problems in the 450es foreman. If this is it , it can be fixed for free.

 

If there is warrenty left then go back to the dealer & let them look at it.

 

the local honda dealer recons the first thing they do is adjust the clutch.....the recon that is the biggest sauce of problems....the shift mechnaism is electric, and it occurs in 30 thousandths of a second, so if its out it won't shift properly

i am having simila problem, (dunno if the bike is under warranty....its the old Mans bike)....his one will lock in gear while in flight, you can't change down or any thing. to get it to work again you have to reset the system (turn the key off)
i looked at the wiring diagram in the back of the owners manual but nothing jumped out at me (heat dependant fuse type thingees that sort of stuff) and the troubleshooting section is non existant...it goes in for a service this week when we get the 300 4x4 back(having service at moment)

anyway this has taken an hour to write....damn interruptions.....i will inform on what was wrong at a later date

 

Tell your friend to start the bike give it a rev up then shift this will probably solve his problem. Is this bike new and how many miles are on it?

 

Reving the machine does not help
The only thing that will help is to shut the machine off for an extended period of time.
This is no good on the open trail when everyone else is ready to move on.
Machine is 14 to 18 months old aprox 2000km

 

Douglass, my friend is experiencing the exact same problems on his 00 450ES. We have to rock it back and fourth or toggle thru the ES to get it to engage back into gear.
He took it back to the dealer, and they said it was common for this to happen, and the solution was all of the above that you posted. Rock it, shut off in Neutral.. etc.
For now he deals with it, other than the ES the bike runs nice.

 

I have a 2000 450es and have never had a problem,when I bought it I questioned the dealer on shift problems and he said he only had one come back out of all he sold.Maybe he's bragging but he told me it's all how there asembled at the dealership.????I'f problem continues and under warranty keep records,Honda or dealer one are liable.

 

Remove the sensor at the bottom of the motor & clean it. Then re-insert see if this help the problem.