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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Shifting Issues
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Message started by Angie on 09/28/09 at 07:37:21

Title: Shifting Issues
Post by Angie on 09/28/09 at 07:37:21

OK, I have another question. When Im shifting from 3rd to 4th, sometimes it doesnt feel like there is any difference. This happens from 4th to 5th sometimes too. I can feel it click, but there is no noticable difference in power. It shouldn't sound like its rapping out at 50 mph, should it? :-? It feels like its shifting fine, but it doesnt feel like that higher gear makes any difference. Whats up with that? This doesnt happen everytime though, and its only when Im shifting up.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by bill67 on 09/28/09 at 07:42:34

There isn't much difference in 4 and 5 gear I think about 300 rpm

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by BurnPgh on 09/28/09 at 20:49:15

4-5 is barely noticeable but 3-4 should be noticeable. When you shift try to get into the habit of keeping upward/downward pressure on the shift peg as you release the clutch lever. This will make sure you're actually switching gears. Sometime when I shift from 3-4 it feels like it clicked into 4th but didnt. If that still doesnt make much difference you may have clutch slippage.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Angie on 09/29/09 at 07:26:10

I will definatetly keep more constant upward pressure on the shift lever from now on. HopefullyI can ride to work tomorrow and I'll see how she goes. :)

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Routy on 09/29/09 at 07:57:06

Maybe the only complaint I have, no tachometer,......and the gears are all fairly close together, so it is hard to tell what gear I'm in.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/29/09 at 08:17:49

Does it matter what gear it is in? I figure if the engine is revving too high, Ill shift up, if its chugging, Ill shift down. As long as the engine is happy, Im happy. If im in 1st & its still chugging, Ill have to play with the clutch to keep it oiling right & not lug it. If its revving too high in 5th, well, I spose Ill have to roll off the throttle a hair..

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Angie on 09/30/09 at 06:59:42

OK, froze my behind off on the way to work today (might have found my low temp threshold as my hands hurt by the time I got to work) and I tried the suggestion of keeping upward pressure on the shifter while I let out the clutch. It did make a difference. Plus I could feel it pop/click again after I'd shifted, like it was trying to drop back down a gear. Humm......

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Paladin. on 09/30/09 at 08:08:41

2F2029272B3E7C7976774E0 wrote:

...(might have found my low temp threshold as my hands hurt by the time I got to work) ....

I have just two words for that: Silk Glove Liners

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Angie on 09/30/09 at 09:30:50

Isnt that 3 words? And I did have gloves on, but they were apparently not good enough quality.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/30/09 at 09:53:48

I wear ski gloves on really cold days. Medium cold is leather gloves with the brown cotton gloves for liners, less cold, just the leather, summertime, mesh back, padded palm mechanic gloves from Lowes.
Rain, same leather gloves, since leather works like a shamois on the visor.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Duane on 09/30/09 at 12:54:59

thinsulate everything for me. Check and see if your in clutch is in the adjustment range on the right side of bike. It's the other side form where your lever is. There are to marks that show you that you should be adjusted between these. 4 to 5 is a pretty normal complaint. Pretty stupid to only drop a couple rpm in 5th gear.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by bill67 on 09/30/09 at 14:01:51

A good Synthetic JASO motorcycle oil will make the shifts a lot easier

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Angie on 10/01/09 at 06:28:15

Thanks again for all the suggestions. It just still seems like even when Im in 5th gear, the engine sounds like its rapping out at 50 mph. Of course Im sure none of it is due to rider error or lack of experience. Achem. 8-) Seems like the previous owners were more concerned with how the bike looks than how it rides. Maybe before winter really sets in I can sweet talk hubby into working on it with me.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by 4carbcorvair on 10/01/09 at 06:56:00

7A7174742E2F180 wrote:

A good Synthetic JASO motorcycle oil will make the shifts a lot easier

Most definately. Shifts much smoother. Clutch operates smoother. Highly suggested. :)

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by bill67 on 10/01/09 at 07:32:56

3C333A34382D6F6A65645D0 wrote:

They turn more rpm then they should with the torque they have,thats why the motor is humming even at 50 mph

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Angie on 10/01/09 at 12:32:26

Ah, ok. I guess Im just paranoid that Im gonna blow it up or something. Im not know for my mechanical abilities.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by bill67 on 10/01/09 at 13:11:13

It also sounds to me that its ready to blow up.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Angie on 10/02/09 at 07:33:09

Im not sure if thats comforting or not. ;D

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Ebikerman on 11/16/09 at 16:38:07

Angie, It sounds like you are having some mechanical shifting trouble. I experience a little of the same on my '06 bike. Some shifts are smooth and positive while 4 to 5 is unreliable at times. It feels like it shifts two times instead of once. My biggest trouble is down shifting. Sometimes have to let the clutch out just a little to get things turning in the trans before the down shift will take place. I have experienced this fault in several bikes of various makes. Now back to the Mechanical problem. You should not have to hold pressure on the shift lever to make a positive shift. If this is required for a good shift, it means that something is wrong inside of your engine case in the shifter mechanism. A positive shift should only take pressure once as long as you do it hard enough to actually change gears...My factory trained motorcycle mechanic friend told me that the side cover could be removed and some fine sandpaper used to smooth the "something or what ever" to help with the shifting. My reccomendation would be to change to a quality synthetic motorcycle oil as mentioned by others in this thread. Then have an experienced rider ride your bike to give his/her opinion before opening the side cover. Remember that no sanding particles should be allowed to fall into the open side of the engine. This smoothing is sometimes done to certain motorcross bikes for easier shifting. Good luck with your quest. I have mine with my bike in another thread.....Dan

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Angie on 11/18/09 at 07:40:19

I have a hunch that my problems are about 50% mechanical and 50% rider error. :) Since temps havent been above 45 much lately my bike is parked for the winter. *sigh* When spring rolls around, I'll have to take it to a Suzuki mechanic for a going over.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by bill67 on 11/18/09 at 08:08:46

It takes time to learn to shift smooth,If the rpms aren't right for the shift it will shift harder.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by babyhog on 11/18/09 at 08:55:11

I'm sure glad I don't have any shifting problems. Occasionally I'll wonder whether I'm in 5th or not, but I've never had any problem with any gear. <knock on wood> Don't know what oil the PO used and haven't changed it myself yet. I'll be mad if I change it and start having problems.

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by Phelonius on 11/18/09 at 12:39:37

4A454C424E5B191C13122B0 wrote:

Isnt that 3 words? And I did have gloves on, but they were apparently not good enough quality.

I have a pair of hand shields I use. They are nylon over a closed cell foam and are held on by a velcro strap. They wrap part way around each hand and keep the wind chill at bay.
you might try something like that. Google hippo hands and look at them and other brands to see if anything trips your fancy.

Phelonius ;)

Title: Re: Shifting Issues
Post by markbacon on 11/18/09 at 17:24:42

Shifts between upper gears were vague or unreliabl for me until I changed the cam chain. That required pulling the clutch, and I found the clutch hub nut was loose agaisnt the lock washer. Made sure it was properly tight when reassembled and have had clean, crisp gear changes ever since.