I bought my '98 GS500E last summer. Towards the end of the riding season, I started having trouble shifting, primarily from second to third. Sometimes 3-4 would be an issue as well. Basically, what happens is when I "shift", it doesn't leave the gear I was shifting from. When going 2-3, once I've physically performed the shift and I let out the clutch, the revs jump and the bike acts as though I downshifted due to the high RPMs. What I've determined is happening is that, even though I have the clutch pulled in all the way and the gear shifter clicks into the gear, it's not actually shifting into the desired gear. Sometimes it only happens once and upon attempting the shift again, it'll go into gear. Sometimes I have to literally attempt the shift 4-5 times to get it into the next gear. Obviously, the traffic behind me isn't too amused when this happens since I'm holding them up. I'd say this problem occurs once every other ride or so. It's all city riding (I'm not crazy about going on the freeway), and my rides are typically under 30 minutes for the places I go. I told my dad about the problem and he said the problem is most likely not the clutch, but he wasn't sure what else it might be.
What I'm wondering is if anyone has any thoughts on what could be causing this problem, and also, I was wondering if anyone on here is familiar with an honest, reputable shop around the Cleveland area I could bring it to. I'm not skilled enough to attempt a repair for something like this, unless someone tells me it might be something really minor. But, I know with my luck, that won't be the case....
have you checked clutch adjustment to make sure your getting a full disengage before you try to shift? if your not getting that then when you let off the gas its putting more pressure on the gears and almost locking it into gear instead of letting the trans roll free from the rest of the bike until you release the clutch engaging the next gear.
I haven't checked that, mainly because I don't know how to. But, if that were the problem, wouldn't it affect every gear and not just the 2-3 shift (with occasional 3-4 issues as well)? This is my first bike, and I'm not familiar with all the different causes of things. Yet. I'm trying to learn as much as I can with the help of this site.
I second Josh's comments. Before you condemn the tranny make sure the clutch is working. Clutch adjustment is a 20 minute job that requires only a screwdriver and a wrench even if you have to take the cover off. Unless your bike has been beaten mercilessly there's a 9 out of 10 chance your tranny's fine. Your bike has one of the most durable gearboxes ever made.
Thanks for the input guys. I'll try to do the clutch adjustment. I have no idea how to do it, but between my repair manual and my dad's mechanical knowledge, i'm sure we can gwt it done. I'll update this thread with the results once I have a chance to do it.
I have the same problem going from 2nd to 3rd sometimes as well on my '97. Do you wear riding boots? Because right now, I only wear my converses when I ride. :icon_neutral: Yes, I know, bad idea. I'm begging for trouble. But I really try to shift a bit more forcefully when I'm wearing them, because it feels like I've shifted, but I guess I my shoe kinda gives way and doesn't push the lever up all the way.
Once the clutch is adjusted properly and your boots are broken-in if it's still hard shifting consider better oil. Rotella 15W-40 makes my bike shift like a dream. Thanks to all who recommended it! :thumb:
I wear my steel toe work boots when I ride. When I have this problem, it doesn't matter how soft or how forceful I perform the shift. Regarding the oil change, thanks for the recommendation on what oil to use. I've been wanting to get that done since spring arrived. Maybe this will finally get me to do it.
my shifting gets cranky if my bike is getting low on oil. If it gets a quart low I can tell it.
**UPDATE**
I just got my bike back from the shop yesterday. I had an oil change done along with replacing the rear brake rotor and pads. The bike is now shifting better than it has since I got it last summer. It obviously was the oil change that it needed. The guy in the service department took it for a ride to try to get it to reproduce the shifting problem I told him about. When he called to say the bike was ready, he stated that he rode it AFTER the oil change was done and he had no problems shifting at all. I initially thought to myself "great, it's one of those things where it doesn't do it for the mechanic, but as soon as I ride it home, it'll do it 10 times". Then I thought "Maybe this is when I finally get lucky and it really was just an oil change that it needed". I was "lucky", to my relief. Being new to motorcycles, I would have never guessed an oil change would afftect the gear box as well. Thanks to those of you who chimed in and offered your thoughts. Love this site! :thumb:
It sure will. Your gearbox is immersed in that worn-out dirty oil you had in there. With a socket wrench and a pan you could have changed the oil and filter yourself for under $20. How much did they charge, $50?
I think the oil change was about $40. My total bill for the oil change, rear rotor, rear brake pads and labor and tax was $104. I'd normally do an oil change myself, but this first time I just decided to let the shop do it since they were doing the brake work anywAys. I figured I was probably paying about $20-30 more for the oil change than if I had done it myself. Bit the bullet this one time.
That bill is too cheap unless he put a used rotor on your bike. A new rotor costs $160 for an EBC by itself.
As long as the rotor's good it's still a great deal for a shop. :thumb:
Hope the Tribe wins this year, I'm sick of the Yankees and Red Sox!
Quote from: bill14224 on June 25, 2009, 09:02:28 PM
That bill is too cheap unless he put a used rotor on your bike. A new rotor costs $160 for an EBC by itself.
As long as the rotor's good it's still a great deal for a shop. :thumb:
I was thinking the same thing, wish dealers were that cheap around here, not that I would take my bike to them anyway.