Problem with bike "missing" or slipping gears

Kaizer · April 24, 2007, 02:19:47 PM

I have noticed that over the last few months, the GS 500 2001 has been acting very strange when I try to shift to higher gears. When I try to go from first to 2nd, it revs very high and gets stuck in neutral. When I try to go from 2nd to 3rd, it does the same thing. It revs high and won't go to the higher gear unless I reshift. It is dangerous and annoying. I have talked to several individuals, but I need a better explanation of what is going on. Is my clutch going out, or are the gears worn out? The bike has 9800 miles on it and had an oil change in January. Please let me know what you think. Thanks.

werase643 · April 24, 2007, 02:23:19 PM

is this during regular shifting or when you are ragging on the bike and leaning fwd?

RVertigo · April 24, 2007, 02:25:08 PM

One potential cause is LLTS (Lazy Left Toe Syndrome)... If you're not getting a "FULL" shift, the shifter can get stuck in a false neutral. When I was having the exact same problem, I found the solution was the lower the shift lever a few notches to I could get a full shift without lifting my toe as much.

Have you tried adjusting your shift lever to make sure it's low enough for you?

I'm sure there are other potential causes people will list.

simon79 · April 24, 2007, 03:24:49 PM

As regards lifting up/lowering the shift lever, just a doubt of mine:

I tried doing this during the very first weeks I had my (new to me) bike, but found out that even if I lowered (better, rotate) the lever just ONE single notch, it became way too low for me to even upshift gears, let alone upshift comfortably.

As a matter of fact, i looked carefully (I suppose I did so) close to the lever, and yes, one notch down from stock was far too low, one notch up was far too high.

Mine's a '01 GS-E.
Was I doin' anything wrong?

PS: luckily after a few days I successfully recovered from the LLT Syndrome...

simon

RVertigo · April 24, 2007, 04:02:24 PM

Hmm... I moved mine like three notches when I first bought it so I could get my giant steel-toe boots under it... Then I moved it back two notches when I got my Sidi boots......

At least... That's the way I remember it.

Kaizer · April 24, 2007, 11:22:36 PM

What does leaning forward on the bike have anything to do with it? It does this VERY sporadically, especially during cold weather. The colder the weather got, the more the gears missed aka wouldn't go to a higher gear. I read the manual and it could be a clutch problem or a transmission problem. I think I will let a more experienced rider take it for a ride and see for himself. I noticed it would get buggered up when I tried to shift in a turn. Just puzzles me. sigh!

NiceGuysFinishLast · April 25, 2007, 01:37:48 AM

WTF are you doing shifting in a turn?

RVertigo · April 25, 2007, 01:42:39 AM

Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on April 25, 2007, 01:37:48 AMWTF are you doing shifting in a turn?

Going faster!

I wouldn't try it on some bikes or when first riding, but I do it all the time now.

You know, 'cause I'm all old and stuff.

NiceGuysFinishLast · April 25, 2007, 02:05:46 AM

Well, old man, why don't you just put the bike in the right gear before you hit the turn? (not saying I can't/haven't shifted in corners.. but I try to avoid it whenever possible)

ohgood · April 25, 2007, 06:05:56 AM

Quote from: Kaizer on April 24, 2007, 11:22:36 PM
What does leaning forward on the bike have anything to do with it? It does this VERY sporadically, especially during cold weather. The colder the weather got, the more the gears missed aka wouldn't go to a higher gear. I read the manual and it could be a clutch problem or a transmission problem. I think I will let a more experienced rider take it for a ride and see for himself. I noticed it would get buggered up when I tried to shift in a turn. Just puzzles me. sigh!

holy shaZam! batman! is that loose gravel in the apex ? or tar ? or a freshly exploded diaper ? (yes, that shaZam! really happens, alot)

if you're shifting (engaging OR releasing the clutch) during a turn, and hit some slippery spit, your but is going to be on the ground, or worse.

don't play around with it. it will bite like a pitbull when you go down. hope and pray that you don't slide into a freaking raised manhole. I saw a fireblade that was SHREDDED from just such a thing. or at least it looked like it.

RVertigo · April 25, 2007, 11:10:07 AM

Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on April 25, 2007, 02:05:46 AMWell, old man, why don't you just put the bike in the right gear before you hit the turn? (not saying I can't/haven't shifted in corners.. but I try to avoid it whenever possible)

'cause sometimes the turn starts out hard and flattens out... What then?

Most of the time when I shift in a corner, it's when I'm riding around town. Stop, 1st, start into corner, 2nd, come out of corner.

Kaizer · April 26, 2007, 01:31:27 PM

I suppose I wasn't clear enough. Yes, shifting during a corner is stupid and dangerous. Found that out the hard way. I try to shift BEFORE I am turning, but sometimes, I shift just as I am starting the turn. Anyhow, I am going to have a mechanic look at it since it seems I have a clutch or transmission problem that is completely unpredictable. Sometimes the bike behaves by shifting correctly, sometimes she is bitchy and will get stuck in the lower gear no matter how hard I shift with my toe. Thanks for all of your input.

RVertigo · April 26, 2007, 02:21:45 PM

Did anyone mention Too Low or Too High oil level?

Check the oil on the centerstand (without screwing in the dipstick)...... Your oil level can screw with your clutch operation.

Kaizer · April 29, 2007, 09:27:37 PM

The oil level is fine. I found out the REAL problem is false neutral. If anyone has any ideas why my bike is going into false neutral in between gears, then that would be great. Thanks.

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Problem with bike "missing" or slipping gears