gear problems

[Madbones]

got a gs500f k8 that doesnt like going into gear from 4th downshifting through to 1st. wifes bike.......and going into bends a bit hot when it wont downshift is dangerous      bike shop told me that these bike are all like that. Funny but the other one weve got doesnt..

any advice  ..........its under warranty but they reckon its fine. I rode it and it happens frequently. Clutch lever adjusted right.. 1200ks on the clock. Just serviced.

[Paulcet]

bike shop told me that these bike are all like that. Funny but the other one weve got doesnt..

Find another shop

any advice  ..........its under warranty but they reckon its fine. I rode it and it happens frequently. Clutch lever adjusted right.. 1200ks on the clock. Just serviced.

I have noticed that downshifts are more difficult when the oil level is slightly high.  But not impossible.

[jeremy_nash]

are you just clutching and trying to drop multiple gears quickly?  I have always been told thats hard on the tranny, which makes sense, as the gears mey not want to mesh together that quickly

[Asym]

+2 on too much oil
I also used synthetic castrol once and it made it more difficult also.

[Madbones]

Naaaaa just a gear at a time to slow the bike down.
Update.......picked up the bike. The service guy said it runs fine as both himself and another guy test rode it. Adjusted the clutch lever to correct play.
Showed me the bill $200 bucks.....They bled the rear brakes as he thought they were a bit soft ( were fine before ) and did a service on the bike.....Farrrrrk it just had its 1000k service less than 200ks ago. what the???
Get on the bike and take of as i wasnt going to let my wife ride the thing. GUESS WHAT        NO CHANGE   
These guys have no idea. Now it wont go into 4th or lower without stomping. 

[mister]

got a gs500f k8 that doesnt like going into gear from 4th downshifting through to 1st. wifes bike.......and going into bends a bit hot when it wont downshift is dangerous      bike shop told me that these bike are all like that. Funny but the other one weve got doesnt..

any advice  ..........its under warranty but they reckon its fine. I rode it and it happens frequently. Clutch lever adjusted right.. 1200ks on the clock. Just serviced.

Is it a Suzuki Dealer you took it to?

If so, put everything in writing and Get everything in writing. Which is, take it back to them with clearly written details of what is wrong. Have a copy of this for Your records. Hand them this detailed info. Ask them to fix it as it is Under Warranty. And request a Written confirmation of the fix.

IF it stills does it, Then (or now, your call) get on the phone and call Suzuki Australia on 03 9931 0500 (they're in Laverton, Vic) and tell them about your displeasure with the mechanics fixing your bike. Head office will get it sorted for you. You'll probably need to leave a number with the receptionist to be called back. But they will call back.

I'm curious about a couple of things....

Thing # 1: Where abouts in the clutch lever's range of motion does it start to engage?
Thing # 2: What oil did they put in - and how full is it? (This 'should' be written on your service receipt.

Difficult gear changing is NOT a common problem. They're lying to you to cover their incompetence or something they messed up during the logbook service.

Michael

[Madbones]

Michael,
                 you sound like a suzuki rep.
Ill have to check the bike tomorrow for where the clutch starts to grab. The oil is mobil mineral and 2.6 im guessing ltrs. As to the level i will double check that tomorrow. You would expect that the level would be right but then again.

Changed oil and filter
lubed all pivots
adjusted tyre pressures ( i checked the morning before i took it to them)
adjusted and lubed chain ( i had just cleaned and lubed before also)
rebled and adjusted rear brakes
adjusted freeplay on clutch lever

[tt_four]

I love when mechanics just assume that someone who brings a bike to them knows so little that they can just tell you you're making a problem up, it's not a warranty issued, and assume that you just know so little about bikes and common sense that you're just supposed to say "ok..." and walk away with your head down.

I definitely wouldn't have paid them to fix something on my bike I didn't ask to have fixed. Is that something they're allowed to do in Australia, because that definitely woulnd't work out over here. I don't think it makes much sense to tell someone there's nothing wrong with the bike, and hand them a bill for it at the same time. If there's nothing wrong with it that should've been the end of it.

Hope you get it worked out.

[burnymcstalls]

I feel your pain mang. I have had similar issues on 2 different GS. I found the clutch needed adjustment, and oil level were the culprit 98%

[Toogoofy317]

No way would I have paid them "to do nothing". Do you guys have a better business bureau over there? Because I'd definately be reporting it!

When my bike needs changing or the level is off shifting is also usually a little wonky.

Mary

[burnymcstalls]

I know my GS has sludge in it from the previous owner. After I get it up and on the road. I'm going to pull the side cover off and inspect the clutch basket and related plates.

[mister]

Michael,
                 you sound like a suzuki rep.
Ill have to check the bike tomorrow for where the clutch starts to grab. The oil is mobil mineral and 2.6 im guessing ltrs. As to the level i will double check that tomorrow. You would expect that the level would be right but then again.

Changed oil and filter
lubed all pivots
adjusted tyre pressures ( i checked the morning before i took it to them)
adjusted and lubed chain ( i had just cleaned and lubed before also)
rebled and adjusted rear brakes
adjusted freeplay on clutch lever

No, not a Suzuki Rep. I just know that Dealerships are Overseen by headoffice. And headoffice is Very Concerned with the Suzuki Name NOT being downplayed / degraded by such things. And headoffice has State Reps whose job it is to make sure things such as your dissatisfaction with someone wearing a Suzuki moniker are resolved. And that should you call them, you WILL get a return call to "get to the bottom" of your issue.

Putting it in writing and getting it in writing is your Proof. There can be no "he said / she said" going on.

My dealership and the mechanics I take my bike to outside of them, use Motul 5100 oil. I have no problems with that.

Michael