Hi, new GS owner, and new to motorcycling. I bought a 2001 GS500E a couple weeks ago. I haven't take it out yet (waiting till I do the MSF program in a week) but I've been 'practicing' shifting on a flat surface, not moving much.

When I try to shift 'down' from neutral to first, most of the time the bike dies upon pressing the pedal. Then the shifting pedal 'locks' and I have to move the bike back and forth a few feet to get it to unlock so I can go back to neutral. However it doesn't ALWAYS do this. Sometimes I can shift 'down' into first with no big problem (although at times it seems the bike 'lurches' foward a bit excessively; my brothers Ninja 250 doesn't move at all when shifting).

I thought it might be that I was accidentally moving the kickstand down and releasing pressure from the safety switch that prevents riding while the kickstand is down, but unless i'ts really sensitive or something I don't believe that to be the problem.

Any ideas?

ehmm. are you pulling the clutch in?

clutch adjustment too far out? old crappy oil?

Quote from: dionysusehmm. are you pulling the clutch in?

yes, to a degree I think is a bit excessive but maybe Im just not used to it (I pull it really hard until its essentially flat against the grip).

Quote from: davipuclutch adjustment too far out? old crappy oil?

Could you explain what you mean about the clutch adjustment being too far out? I believe the oil is fairly fresh.

if ther is too much slack in the cable you can't pull the lever far enough back to allow the clutch to release the pressure.

http://www.bbburma.net/

sorry edited after reading closer.

Quote from: davipuhttp://www.bbburma.net/

In the video, Kerry's clutch seems to be able to barely move before hitting a limit. Despite adjusting mine to both extremes, little difference was found and nothing even near his level of tightness. The only difference I've noticed was that holding the clutch in became a bit harder to do.

With the bike in gear, and the engine not running, you're probably not able to move the bike forward or backward without the rear wheel skidding.

Squeeze the clutch lever, and try again to roll the bike forward and backward.  Does it roll?  This will tell you if the clutch is even working at all.

I agree with everyone else. Something is wrong with your clutch and/or cable.

I would try two things- contacting the old owner and ask if he ever had troubles, and riding your bro's 250 and see if you can shift that.

Quote from: ChuckWith the bike in gear, and the engine not running, you're probably not able to move the bike forward or backward without the rear wheel skidding.

Squeeze the clutch lever, and try again to roll the bike forward and backward.  Does it roll?  This will tell you if the clutch is even working at all.

Yes, it rolls when I pull the clutch in  in first gear, with the engine off. It's a bit stiff/hard to push, but it rolls. It rolls fine in neutral.

Quote from: rrittersonI agree with everyone else. Something is wrong with your clutch and/or cable.

I would try two things- contacting the old owner and ask if he ever had troubles, and riding your bro's 250 and see if you can shift that.

I have tried shifting his Ninja, albiet in place (same as with the GS) and it shifts smooth as buttter (it made me really jealous!).

You can adjust the clutch cable at two places, can't you?  At the handlebar and near the engine cover?

I don't know what is causing your bike to shut down, but the lurching problem does at least sound like a clutch issue.   HOWEVER, I think i can help you with your shift-into-first problem.

If you are ever stopped in neutral, and your shifter/bike decides that it doesn't want to get into first then here is a trick to get it into first without rocking it back and forth

With the brake engaged/depressed:

-Keep your left foot on the shifter and apply downward pressure just as you would while attempting to downshift.

-With your left hand, gradually let the clutch out while still maintaining pressure on the shifter

-By time the clutch is 1/3-2/3 of the way out, the bike should gracefully shift into first gear.

-Depress the clutch immediately after the bike shifts to avoid starting off and/or stalling

Its a trick that my roommate taught me.  It sure comes in handy at stoplights.  What you're doing is putting the bike into the edge of the friction zone in order to get the gears to 'sync up' to shift much more easily.

Quote from: TarzanBoyI don't know what is causing your bike to shut down, but the lurching problem does at least sound like a clutch issue.   HOWEVER, I think i can help you with your shift-into-first problem.

Well maybe I did it wrong but all that happened was the engine died and the pedal locked.

This may be a silly question, but, lets start with the simple stuff.
Do you have the kickstand down?

With the kickstand down, as you shift into gear, it will die.

Correct me if I am wrong......
Anyone...

Quote from: Ammanas

Quote from: TarzanBoyI don't know what is causing your bike to shut down, but the lurching problem does at least sound like a clutch issue.   HOWEVER, I think i can help you with your shift-into-first problem.

Well maybe I did it wrong but all that happened was the engine died and the pedal locked.

Did you stall the engine out?   If you can't tell whether you stalled the engine out or whether your bike is malfunctioning then you probably should not be riding it on the streets with any kind of traffic :-/

Quote from: ratzThis may be a silly question, but, lets start with the simple stuff.
Do you have the kickstand down?

With the kickstand down, as you shift into gear, it will die.

Correct me if I am wrong......
Anyone...

No, I don't have the kickstand down. It is however a possibility the sensor is getting tripped or something, but it doesn't seem that way.

QuoteDid you stall the engine out?   If you can't tell whether you stalled the engine out or whether your bike is malfunctioning then you probably should not be riding it on the streets with any kind of traffic :-/

Why do you think I'm not riding anywhere at all yet, let alone in "any kind of traffic"? It doesn't seem very helpful to come into a thread asking for help then be condescending.

When I got my GS the shifting lever was a bit loose and I'd really have to give it a good kick to get it to shift down into 1st. The kickstand safety switch might be a possibilty, but I wouldn't think it would move when your foot is on top of the lever, maybe when you're upshifting if you wear large boots.

My sidestand is messed up so that sometimes even if it is up and I shift down to first from neutral the bike dies.  This only happens when I am sitting still usually after I have just gotten on and or warmed up the bike.  Make sure the spring is not stretched out.