Sometimes when I'm shifting from 4th to 5th, it's as if I have suddenly found neutral because the engine whines and I'm not in either gear.  If I coast for a second, the transmission seems to settle on the lower of the two gears.  The bike is a '96 but only has 5,000 miles on it.  Does this happen to anyone else?

Search for False Neutral and you'll find this is a Regular thing to do with just about ALL bikes.

Solution...

- Be more forceful with your gear changes
- use a different oil (I was having them until I switched oil to a Better oil now they are a thing of the past)

Michael