Hard Shifting out of Neutral .. Sometimes ... What gives??

[rprata]

Sometimes when my bike's warm (after I've ridden a bit, and the engine's warmed up) if I put my bike in neutral at a light, going back to first is a bi*ch.  I have to 'rock' the bike backward and forward to get it to click into first, and sometimes I have to use a LOT of force, even then.

What could this be?  I've got a '96 and I just turned over 10k.  Bought it with 7200 on the ODO, so I don't know it's maintenance history previous to my owning it.  I am due for an oil change, and I'm going to go with Amsoil synthetic, but is there anything else I should check?



Roger

[pantablo]

check the oil level. being low on oil, even by a small amount affects the shifting; into/out of neutral being a common instance.

Why are you in neutral at a light anyway? Don't you want to be in gear in case you need to bolt (car behind doesn't see you, etc...)? That's what MSF teaches anyway...

[rprata]

Yeah, yeah, I know .. I don't do neutral at a light that often .. only when I just miss yellow, and I know it's gonna be a long one (especially here in SD, some of them are loooooooong) and/or if my wrist is killing me and I need a 5-second rest.

I'll check the oil level tomorrow, and top it off if need be, until I change it later this week.

Just a thought...

Do you try and release the clutch and then bang it into first?

I noticed that if I hold the clutch in for any period of time and try and get it into first it wont go, simply disengage the clutch and reengage it and she will slip right in.

May not work for you but sure did for me!  

BTW - if you are at a set of traffic lights and cars are already lined up behind you, sitting with your hand on the clutch is futile, just adds to fatigue. I always wait till there are 2 cars behind me then pop it into neutral. If your first at the lights keeping it in gear is a good idea... if your the meat in a sandwich at lights keep it out of gear so If you need to bail, just drop your bike and run!  :lol:

[rprata]

I'll try that as well as checking the oil.  Probably have not thought to try that.  Good idea; I have heard of that solution with other bikes as well, and I think the SV too.  I'll try it.  Thanks.

[JohNLA]

The only time I had that problem was when I had to much oil.

[rprata]

Hmph.  Too much oil.  Not enough oil.  What to do, what to do.  Well I'm due for an oil change anyway, so I'm going to get it changed this week, and use some Amsoil synthetic (if I can find it locally; if not I'll order it, and use it next change) and an Amsoil filter (same applies.)

How often do y'all change your oil in these beasts, btw??  

[TheGoodGuy]

How often do y'all change your oil in these beasts, btw??  

I do them every 1500-2000 miles with my riding style. If I do more miles in a shorter time then i will do 2500 miles but so far 1500-2000 miles.

I already bought my STP SMO-00 and 3 quarts of Castrol GTX 10W40(changing from Exxon/Mobil 10W40 Dino).

I want to see how castrol is.. I used to use GTX in india so Im hoping it will give favorable results. The Exxon/Mobil stuff worked fine for me.

[pantablo]

Hmph.  Too much oil.  Not enough oil.  What to do, what to do.  Well I'm due for an oil change anyway, so I'm going to get it changed this week, and use some Amsoil synthetic (if I can find it locally; if not I'll order it, and use it next change) and an Amsoil filter (same applies.)

How often do y'all change your oil in these beasts, btw??  

I try changing oil/filter every 2-3K miles. I've got major service this week but next change will go to Amsoil synth.  A member here, 90gs500rehab I think, is a distributor. I bought mine through him, got it drop shipped to me. See about ordering through him...maybe he'll give you a discount.