I have approx 500 miles on my bike and if the engine is running I have an extremely hard(read: Impossible) time getting the bike to shift into neutral.  Sometimes in flicks in very smoothly, either up from first or down from second, but the majority of the time I have to shut the engine down just to do it.  This problem only started a short time ago(after changing oil) and I'm wondering if it could have anything to do with shifting with no clutch.  Any thoughts or suggestions?

Nothing helpful sorry, but I have the same problem.

I've tried playing with the clutch adjustment, which doesn't help.  So I'm living with it.  I also usually change up without the clutch, but did so with my last engine too, and didn't have the problem there. I figure it shouldn't hurt anything!

Steve,

Being as this bike is BRAND NEW I have a hard time just "living with it".  Any1 have any suggestions as to things I can try?

Since it's BRAND NEW with only 500 miles, why not just take it back to the dealer?!

I figured you didn't want to do this since you were asking for suggestions. Try adjusting the clutch, which as I said didn't work for me and I'm living with it, my choice.

Be warned, any fiddling with a BRAND NEW hence under warrenty bike, could invalidate the warrenty. Your Choice

Do you have problems shifting into any other gears?

I'm going in for my 600 service in a couple of days so I'll have them check it out.  BTW do you know anywhere I can find instructions on adjusting the cable?  Sorry I'm a noob, I know

Don't worry bout being a noob, every one is once!

After managing to swap an entire engine without a manual, I had to ask how to adjust the clutch too! Go figure huh!

There should be a rubber cover on the clutch handle.  Pull this back and there are two nuts, the bigger one acts like a retainer.  Adjust these to see if it makes a difference.  There is also an adjuster on the engine.  Look above the gear shift and you should see a cable comming out the top of the engine, again with the obligatory rubber cover.  Pull this back and there are another two nuts...you get the idea.

Seriously, if it's going into the dealer just get them to do it.  The adjusting is easy, properly adjusting is a pain in the a$$.  I'm not having a problem with any other gear, even 1st to 2nd.  It's just neutral that is the problem.

Hope you get it sorted, and if the dealer does play with it, be careful at first, the biting point will be different so you'll find your clutch control will go to pot until you get used to the new feel.

By all means, inspect the clutch cable adjustment first.  Should be 5/32'' freeplay measured at the lever.  

It does help to visualize cause and effect with respect to the clutch, shifter and trans.  If your change of oil raised the viscosity, there may be more drag on the clutch plates with the clutch released which would slightly load the transmission which would then require more force at the shift lever to initiate gear change.  More force at the shift lever = more stored energy making it more difficult to stop halfway since neutral is a half shift between 1st/2nd and must have a shallow holding detent for the spring/ball on the shift cam otherwise it would interfere with the 1st-to-2nd shift.  

The trick is to stab the shift lever without follow through.  Of course, YMMV.  

So should I try and the oil to something other then the factory recommended(10w-40)?

I pulled the cover off the clutch cable at the lever and need some clarification on what exactly I should be measuring the 5/32 at?

By chance is the bike on a slight slant when trying to shift into neutral?  If I'm on the slightest angle, it's almost impossible to get into neutral.  As soon as it's level, no problem.  Couldn't tell you what this is - hoping someone else can.

Actually I haven't really noted whether it was or not.  Well check in a little while and get back to ya.

QuoteSo should I try and the oil to something other then the factory recommended(10w-40)?

I pulled the cover off the clutch cable at the lever and need some clarification on what exactly I should be measuring the 5/32 at?

10w-40 is good.  Some like to use 20w-50 so I threw the heavier viscosity thing out there just in case.

The 5/32'' free play gap is measured where the lever pivots away from the mounting bracket next to the adjuster.  Some claim that the GS500 trans breaks in with mileage, but I tend to think it's more a case of riders adapting to the transmission.  

Make sure the engine oil is at the correct level. Low or high oil levels can make for hard shifitng.  Hold the bike upright, unscrew the dipstick, wipe the oil off it, and stick it back in the hole.  Do not screw it in.  Remove and inspect oil level.  

Sometimes it is easier to find neutral from 2nd gear rather than from first.

my 04 did the same thing, you said you just changed the oil, too much oil will cause this.

Jakmobile,
I have a 2003 (used) GS with 10,000km. I have a b***h of a time getting the trans into neutral quite often. Just had it serviced, new oil with different viscosity (10W40 now) - no difference to the shifting problem. Sometimes just rocking the bike back and forth will help.... usually. Sometimes I just forget it after 3 or 4 mins of kicking the shifter up/dn and ride around some more which usually works . I know - ya can't do that at stop light.  :dunno: So then I just wait it out with the clutch pulled in. If someone can figure this out I would be glad to know too.

Ride well!
Dandy

Here are some tips to get the GS in neutral:

- Shift to first before you come to a complete stop. If you're in a higher gear and you gear down to 1st while stopped, it'll be much harder to find neutral

- Try lightly tapping the gear down in second. I've found that neutral is sometimes easier to find from second than first

- If you still can't find neutral, move the bike forward and backward while tapping the gear lever

It doesn't appear to make a difference what angle the bike is at.  When I changed the oil, I did not change the filter and thus only used 3 quarts of oil.  When I checked the dipstick it read full.  Any other ideas or is this just the nature of the beast?

Well, first of all... use your clutch, thats what it's there for! Thats a quick and easy way to mess up your tranny. Next, the engine only takes 3.1 quarts. So 3 quarts is about all you need. If you put more in, that could be the problem. It's just as bad to have too much oil as it is to have too little. Next, ALWAYS change the filter. ALWAYS! An oil change is so simple, but you have to do it right, or bad things can happen. If it still doesn't want to go to neutral, try giving it a little rev, then shift. It works about as well as the rocking method. It's not the nature of the beast. Your bike shouldn't have problems shifting into neutral, at least not often.

 -Anti  

If you didn't change filters, then I'd be surprised if you needed a full 3 quarts.

Jakmobile,
I own a new GS500F and yes I had a lot of problems finding neutral while riding and parking....so I took it to the dealership and they adjusted my clutch cable.  Believe me, this helped a lot, but every now and then I still have problems.....not as much as before but I've learned that with practice it'll come to you easier to find it as you ride more.

Sounds like a clutch adjustment problem.Try adjusting it at the clutch lever for less freeplay at the clutch lever.Your clutch is not totally disengaging when you pull the lever in.So it is "dragging" a little bit,and thats why it doesn't want to go into neutral.One Some bikes are really tough to adjust properly because the adjustment may change some as the engine gets hot and the clutch plates may expand some with this heat,which affects the adjustment.One other thing you can do is just before you come to a stop, put it into neutral-it will be much easier if the bike is rolling slightly.
   There is also an adjustment down at the engine cover,though I'm not familiar with the particular setup on the suzuki-all motorcycles seem to have both the adjustment at the lever, and the one on the engine.Don't try the adjustment on the engine unless you have a manual explaining it.Its not usually difficult.