SuzukiSavage.com /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1334873269 Message started by Jacob on 04/19/12 at 15:07:49

Title: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by Jacob on 04/19/12 at 15:07:49 I bought the bike brand new 1 mile. It now has 230 miles. It is a 2012. I have not changed the oil or done anything to it yet. I've checked all the fluids and everything is good. I am not changing the oil till 500-600 miles like the manual says because I bought the 5 yr warranty and don't want to ruin that. But anyhow, to the problem. I've noticed that when I shift it seems to be alittle loud or hard? Like I don't have the clutch pulled in all the way or something but I do have the clutch completely pulled in and the throttle closed when I shift. I wasn't sure if maybe it would be little loud and hard while shifting since the bike is breaking in or until I do the first oil change. Please any comments or advice would be great. Thanks.

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by youzguyz on 04/19/12 at 16:03:42 A little loud and hard .. compared to what?  The LS650 is a very simple machine compared to most motorcycles.  Nothing fancy in the transmission, clutch or engine.  It may seem loud and hard if you are use to a sport bike, or something more "sophisticated". And how you shift can impact how loud and hard it is.  You don't need to close the throttle all the way when you shift, just back off a little bit.  That will cause the shafts to be closer to the same speed than if you shut the throttle down all the way.

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by Serowbot on 04/19/12 at 16:51:47 Ever ride a Hog?... ours is silk in comparison... ;D... I wouldn't be worried... and it will smooth a bit with time... Also,.. check that your shift lever is positioned nicely for your foot... It's adjustable, you know... ;)...

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/19/12 at 18:17:55 Dang things are like wine & violins,, they get smoother with time,

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by CaptialThumper on 04/19/12 at 21:15:14 Check the tension on the cable running from your left hand lever to the clutch arm; I recently tightened mine up to reduce the slack and it's shifting much nicer now. Given that yours is a new bike, the cables are probably still stretching.

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/19/12 at 21:40:05 Dont take so much slack out that the cable stays tite.

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by RidgeRunner13 on 04/20/12 at 07:02:12 Has the bike been adjusted to fit you? From the angle of the bars & levers to the height of the brake pedal & shifter, the clutch cable adjustment, it all adds up to a bike that may not be adjusted correctly to you. I recently worked on a friends' bike & was amazed that he had it for 3 years & nothing was positioned right. Since he is about my same size, I readjusted everything, especially the angle of the clutch & brake levers. When he picked it up & rode off, he came back in a bit & asked what I did, because "it never felt this comfortable before". A couple more adjustments with him on it made it even better. 8-) I'm always amazed at the people who don't change things on their bikes, riding them just the way they were delivered. No wonder so many don't get ridden much. :o

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by CaptialThumper on 04/20/12 at 07:17:26 +1 on justin_o_guy2's comment about tension. The cable must still be slack when you're not pulling on the lever -- Owner's Manual (see Tech section) says 10 - 15mm of play on the lever.

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by Jacob on 04/21/12 at 18:02:04 Thanks everyone. I kind of figured the bike shifting would smooth out as I keep riding it. After all it does have less then 300 miles still. I absolutely love the Suzuki S40. Fun to ride and lots of power! I wanted to thank the folk that told me about the slack in the clutch, I recently tightened it up. No slack in it but haven't rode it yet so before I ride it next time I will definitely be putting some slack in it. Thank you! And I am going with the manual on the oil and filter change and doing it between 500-600 miles. Thanks everyone. Your advice will always make a difference! Jacob

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/21/12 at 21:52:04 Your advice will always make a difference! Even bad advice makes a difference,, just not a very desirable one,

Title: Re: Is Shifting Hard Normal For Being New Post by Trippah on 04/22/12 at 09:18:12 You give no indication of riding experience...do you have enough rpm's when shifting (and this is a wonderfully forgiving bike on this issue)?? are you rushing the shift??  and as noted, check the play of the cable. Welcome aboard, ride safe. ;)

SuzukiSavage.com » Powered by YaBB 2.2! YaBB © 2000-2007. All Rights Reserved.