Help - My bike has 2 neutrals!

[waverider]

I have a 2002 GS500 and recently am finding that I have 2 neutrals....the regular one between 1st and 2nd...and then another one between 2nd and 3rd.

I don't get the light to come on with the second one and it's a little harder to get it into there, but definitely have this other neutral.

Is my tranny screwed or is this normal?

Thanks for any responses!

['04gs500f]

sometimes when i shift too lightly it seems like it goes into neutral anywhere inbetween 2-6 as if its just not catching, this a problem?

[Jarno]

Happens sometimes... my old 125 used to do it all the time if I wasn't careful with it. Usually it isn't serious.

I've found one extra neutral in my '98 GS, although it was more of an accident and hasn't happened since; just when I was switching "lightly" up from 4th or 5th (don't remember). I didn't raise my toes high enough to engage the next gear, but enough to get it off the previous one.

Unless you have some other indicators that something might be wrong, really dirty oil, metal bits in the oil or some such, I wouldn't be worried; your bike is basically too new to be _all_ screwed up, unless it has been raced.

Just be aware that it's possible to mis-shift, and be sure that you get the next gear in, whenever it counts. Wouldn't probably hurt to mention about it to your mech, when you take the bike to them next time; he might know what other signs to look for.

-Jarno

[dgyver]

You are hitting a false neutral. Need to shift more firmly. The dogs may be worn or bent amplifing this.

[john]

Yep.  This can heppen.  Not a very common complaint on the GS which has a great tranny.  My SV had 3 false neutrals and it sucked.

If you are really shifting lightly you can get a false neutral.  The first thing you should do is try to put a bit more umph into your upshift, also maybe tach it up a bit more before you shift into 3rd (sometimes low speed shifts can exacerbate a false neutral).  Other than that...I can't advise you.

[Blueknyt]

yeah, common enough, must adjust the left Big toe. or move the shifter down a couple splines

[cummuterguy]

don't forget to check your oil level, a lot of shifting issues get amplified with a low engine oil level.

[weaselnoze]

i had a post on this awhile back.  here is the link http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15148&highlight=false

it also contains a few other links that get more into the subject and a brief mention on clutchless shifting

[marc]

True, check your oil level.

My '91 GS500 has these false neutrals too, and they become
more evident when oil level is low.

Gear selector in bikes is not as smooth as cars (when not automatic),
but Suzuki gearboxes work much smoother than others.

In Suzukis you shift gears avoiding neutrals.
In Yamahas you shift between neutrals seeking for the gear.

LOL (joking about my 70.000Km old little yamaha)

[Laura]

I have a neutral between second and third too. It's really easy to hit, and I'd say I get it about 2/3rds of the time I'm shifting to third. Usually I can sort of tell if I got it to third or not before I let the clutch out, but once in awhile I think I'm in third and I'm in a neutral. It's annoying.

[waverider]

Thanks for the advice!  I think it's probably my shifting combined with my boots.  I use a pair of steel toe boots from an old field job and don't have the same feel (or any feel really) when shifting.  Thus sometimes I probably don't give it enough oomph when shifting up.

I'll check the engine oil too and make sure it's not down.

Thanks!