SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Trouble getting into first at stops
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1754324390

Message started by I401 on 08/04/25 at 09:19:50

Title: Trouble getting into first at stops
Post by I401 on 08/04/25 at 09:19:50

Apologies if this is a dumb question or even a non-issue, but I haven't found any mention of this in the other threads on the forum.

I've been getting practice in on my 2013 now that the engine's back together and the leak's stopped, but I've been finding that when I slow to a stop and try to shift down to first, I'll get stuck a neutral A LOT. No other problems in shifting up or down but this. If I rock back and forth I'll get it to drop back into first but that's a whole lot easier said than done when trying to roll it forward at a stop sign going uphill. When I first got my bike a month back, the lady selling it said the clutch lever needed to be pulled all the way in tight to disengage the clutch and that's what I do. When I had trouble getting into first, first I thought it had to do with the slop in the clutch cable so I tightened it up but I'm seeing no improvement.

After reading through clutch-related posts on here I'm now a bit concerned I've over tightened my clutch cable so I'll be checking the free-play when I'm able again. With tightening it up being the only idea I had on how to fix it not working though, what're y'all's thoughts on it?

The way my friend's been teaching me to ride is to stay in second when coming to a stop and once fulling stopped, drop back to first.

When I was having this trouble yesterday, a way he said I could try avoiding the problem until we got back was to downshift to neutral while coasting to the stop, then shifting to first once at a complete stop.

He's told me to never downshift into first while coming to the stop; only once I've actually stopped. I'd like to know if that's really the case or if its a nonissue since I've had no issues shifting to first while in motion; just while dead stopped.

Title: Re: Trouble getting into first at stops
Post by Surviving Philly on 08/04/25 at 12:28:35

If clutch Freeplay is too tight, you'll have slippage -- if too loose, it won't fully disengage, and will make it difficult to change gears. Sometimes at a stop, you'll need to rock back-forth to drop into first. I would suggest checking your clutch Freeplay at the perch and making sure that it's in spec.

Regarding downshifting to first, I consider it best practice to just stay in whatever gear you're in while coming to a stop, then before stopping pull in the clutch lever and shift down to neutral. The advice not to downshift to first is more a rising safety thing than a mechanical thing, if you downshift to first coming to a stop and let the clutch out you could lock the back wheel, also first would be way too much engine breaking at almost any speed.

Others more knowledgeable than myself will hopefully chime in but that's my two cents. The clutch on this bike is not very robust, you really don't want to be riding the clutch at all..... Don't ask how I know.....

Title: Re: Trouble getting into first at stops
Post by uranusklingon on 08/04/25 at 16:57:37

Agree with Surviving Philly, make sure you don't have too much slack in clutch lever. You may want to change your oil as well, as that can affect shifting. If you find it's not wanting to go into 1st try letting out just a little on the lever as you try to shift down.

Title: Re: Trouble getting into first at stops
Post by I401 on 08/04/25 at 17:40:20

I'm just about certain my clutch cable isn't too loose still. I wouldn't quite call it stiff from the get go but it certainly has no slack in it. I'm going to take the right engine cover off tomorrow if possible to get a look inside, inspect the cam chain tensioner, and change the oil so hopefully that will help as well.

At the moment my bike is at my buddy's house because he has more of the proper tools than I do so I don't have immediate access to check everything that's brought up.

Title: Re: Trouble getting into first at stops
Post by ohiomoto on 08/04/25 at 17:48:07

The linkage from the shift lever can bend if someone mashed on it. I would make sure it's still straight. If they get bent shifting will be a little off and the rod can break. Good luck.

Title: Re: Trouble getting into first at stops
Post by I401 on 08/04/25 at 17:51:50

3B3C3D3B393B203B540 wrote:

The linkage from the shift lever can bend if someone mashed on it. I would make sure it's still straight before getting too carried away. Good luck.

Added to my inspection list tomorrow; much appreciated! I also appreciate the tor suggestion you made on the forum problems page about the forbidden message. After resetting it, I've finally been able to use the forum on my work computer again!