Hi, y'all.  I need to troubleshoot a nuisance condition.  Appreciate any help.

So after I come to a stop sign and place her in neutral, the gear lever won't easily go into first gear when it's time to move on.

I have to move her a few inches... backward or forward... for the gear lever to engage into first.

Not a problem for me on level ground; you do what you gotta do to get going.  Steep inclines are another story, though. 

Any suggestions? 

Thanks.

Devi

You may have tried this, but when I have this problem, I release the clutch lever into the friction zone, but not completely.  Usually that'll make my baby cooperate and shift into first from neutral when stopped.

It's a frequent GS500 thing... Ease the clutch a little... or release it completely then try again...

Why into neutral at a stop sign though? ... Just click down into first just as you stop and hold clutch in?

Thank you. 

I'll give this a try in a little while when I'll run to the store.

It's a little frustrating, is all.

You're in neutral at a red light... the light turns to green... and you have to move the bike a few inches, backward or forward, for the gear shifter to slip into first.

Thanks again.

Devi

Sorry.  Misdirected reply here.

Quote from: Janx101 on March 13, 2015, 03:16:53 PM
It's a frequent GS500 thing... Ease the clutch a little... or release it completely then try again...

Why into neutral at a stop sign though? ... Just click down into first just as you stop and hold clutch in?

I stay in first at stop signs 90% of the time.  But occasionally I want to adjust my Bluetooth receiver on the left side of my helmet.  Can't do that and depress the clutch at the same time. 

You are not alone.... Lol .. There's been posts for years on this minor issue.... 

Sometimes if your bike is due for a service .... The fresh oil after the service can help a little..

I've had my bike licence for 4 years or so now (car and truck licence for over 25 years) .. But I remember in the training courses..... The instructor ALWAYS said ... When you are waiting at a light or stop sign.... Clutch in, in 1st gear, rear brake on , hand on throttle ... Be ready to go straight away in case some cager behind you isn't watching ... And they take off before you move, or don't stop in the first place! ... Being ready might save you from an impact .... MIGHT ...

I see a lot of riders ... Both feet down, in neutral , hands off bars , arms folded or stretching or something... That's cool.... You gotta have a quick relax and stretch sometimes too! ... But then get ready again! ... Cagers don't look! ... We have to!

Took my time posting this... Saw your reply about Bluetooth... Yes of course! ... Rider has to be comfortable... 

Quote from: Janx101 on March 13, 2015, 03:29:12 PM

Took my time posting this... Saw your reply about Bluetooth... Yes of course! ... Rider has to be comfortable... 

Thanks for your well-thought-out reply.  I recall those instructions from the MSF Course vividly.

Bluetooth offers more than comfort to me, though.  It provides me with intercom communication with my dad, who's been riding for more than 30 years.  He offers me invaluable advice when we ride together, which is most of the time.

Thanks again.

Devi

Very cool! .. you have a good dad!

I never took the MSF but that's the way I do it, hold the clutch in with bike in 1st and ready to go at stoplights.  If I stop at the arburatum gate for example and need to punch in the key code I just kill the engine by letting out the clutch slowly, punch the code in, reclutch, hit the starter and go as the gate goes up.

I always park my bike in first gear and stop the engine by putting the sidestand down.  To get going again just put up the stand and holding the clutch in hit the starter and then go.  I could probably ride all week without putting the bike in neutral.  It can be a bit tacky going into neutrl at times.

My son's dad has been riding 30 years too and son has been riding over 40 years.

its normal GS issue..  dunno why it happens. Maybe it has something to do with clutch adjustment. but I've stomped on the thing coming out of a parking spot... no matter how hard to press it, it doesn't wanna budge. I agree rolling forward like 2 or 3 feet to get into gear feels really silly.

basically just ignore the neutral.. don't use it.

Thank you, everyone, for your helpful responses.  I appreciate it.

My dad likes to remind me that I have an extended family every time that I own a particular bike: other owners of the same bike, who share their wisdom and experience, at a Forum like this one.

Thank you for that privilege.

Devi

I agree with the new oil and letting the clutch out while putting pressure on the shifter, I'm surprised this image hasn't been posted until now?

Hi Devikah ,   I always  put my bike in  neutral at  stop lights ,  now at  12,500 miles , (  bought brand new  at berts in azuza california )  .  I  use  Motul  300v  10w40  full synthetic  engine oil , never have any problems . ( I know many people say a gs5  does not need it )  ok.   some people say  they use  semi-synthetic  in their  gs5   with  no issues .

I also want to say that sometimes gear friction lessens with an oil change, and also with more miles.
I always use friction of the clutch to engage in 1st gear.

Quote from: rg500gamma on March 13, 2015, 09:32:36 PM
Hi Devikah ,   I always  put my bike in  neutral at  stop lights ,  now at  12,500 miles , (  bought brand new  at berts in azuza california )  .  I  use  Motul  300v  10w40  full synthetic  engine oil , never have any problems . ( I know many people say a gs5  does not need it )  ok.   some people say  they use  semi-synthetic  in their  gs5   with  no issues .

Hi back.  When we purchased my bike last month, we replaced all the fluids.  Amsoil 10W40 was the replacement.

Quote from: rg500gamma on March 13, 2015, 09:32:36 PM
Hi Devikah ,   I always  put my bike in  neutral at  stop lights ,  now at  12,500 miles , (  bought brand new  at berts in azuza california )  .  I  use  Motul  300v  10w40  full synthetic  engine oil , never have any problems . ( I know many people say a gs5  does not need it )  ok.   some people say  they use  semi-synthetic  in their  gs5   with  no issues .

Silly you....full synthetic sucks, what's his face said so, your wasting your money

(look above...oh hell yes I'm still drinking)

Hi again ,  is the  gear shifter loose ?    (worn out  splines on shift arm )

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on March 13, 2015, 09:49:32 PM

Quote from: rg500gamma on March 13, 2015, 09:32:36 PM
Hi Devikah ,   I always  put my bike in  neutral at  stop lights ,  now at  12,500 miles , (  bought brand new  at berts in azuza california )  .  I  use  Motul  300v  10w40  full synthetic  engine oil , never have any problems . ( I know many people say a gs5  does not need it )  ok.   some people say  they use  semi-synthetic  in their  gs5   with  no issues .

Silly you....full synthetic sucks, what's his face said so, your wasting your money

(look above...oh hell yes I'm still drinking)

Hi all  , davis  lab in brea  california  ,  tells different  , go ask them yourself  , # 2  why was fully synthetic  manufactured ?  I still rest my case .......

Most of the time i put my bike in neutral before i stop....makes it easy to select 1st again.