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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1346174720 Message started by stewmills on 08/28/12 at 10:25:20 |
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Title: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by stewmills on 08/28/12 at 10:25:20 I am new to this forum, so forgive me in advance if I break any rules. I have a 2008 LS650 with ~900 miles. It sat for 4 years with 400 miles on it. I got it and immediately changed the fluid, drove it for 200 miles and had the initial 600 mile service at the stealership. They changed fluids and made all adjustments, had them rejet to get rid of the inherent issues with this bike's EPA garbage, and the bike runs good. The issue I have had with the bike before and after service is that it seems to shift hard, but it seems that several comments indicate that this bike and maybe other flavors as well just misbehave like this. Here are the issues I experience. Are these normal or are there things to do to correct? 1) Shifting from 1st to second quickly gives me this "ker-chunk", but if I shift slowly about 1/2 way (to the neutral spot) and then a split second go the rest of the way, it rarely makes the noise. Other gears up are fine. 2) Shifting down from 2nd to 1st quickly gives me this "ker-chunk", but if I shift down slowly about 1/2 way (to the neutral spot) and then a split second go the rest of the way, it rarely makes the noise. Other gears shifting down are fine. 3) If the bike running and I put in neutral to do something (let off the clutch for a bit) and then go to shift down to 1st, it wants to "grind and clatter" as if the clutch is not even engaged. I then have to let the clutch out and in and roll a bit and then it will slide into gear without (or with minimal) clatter. The other option is to turn off, shift into 1st, and start up and go... 4) Similar to #3, if the bike is on 1st gear and shut off, pulling in the clutch seems to do nothing. For example, right now the bike is cool and in 1st (to stop unwanted rolling). If I go out and pull in the clutch to roll the bike, it is very hard to roll which tells me the clutch is not disengaging the gear. I have to sit on the bike and roll it a bit and work the clutch to get it to jump in neutral so I can roll it. This happens about 50% of the time. Is this from stopping it hot in 1st and the clutch cooling off in a certain position that it doesn't want to come out of? Thanks for any advice you may have. I am semi-mechanical and can tinker if there are options, but I also want to ensure that I am not going to create a problem not having this looked at...but the stealership didn't say anything about it other than it needed a little adjustment which they did. The tech drove it so I know he had to feel what I am describing, he just may know it is what it is and didn't make an issue of it. Overall I know what to look for as to not grind and tear up the tranny so if these are inherent issues, so be it, but it is a good bike that I want to take care of. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by verslagen1 on 08/28/12 at 14:29:55 Sounds like you have your clutch adjusted too loose. between the lever and the perch should only be about an 1/8". Second, look at the clutch lever on the case. There are 2 marks behind the lever and w/out disengaging the clutch squeeze the lever just take out the slack and the lever should be between the 2 marks. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by ralfyguy on 08/28/12 at 15:24:42 Mine does the same stuff and my clutch lever at the handle bar is a tad less than 1/8 when cold and a little over that when the bike is warm. It has always been like that. The Savage is not the smoothest shifting bike to begin with. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by stewmills on 08/28/12 at 15:49:56 Thanks for the feedback. Here is a pic (trying to attach it) of the clutch settings (honestly, never noticed the marks, but makes sense that they would be there for a reason). Sounds like maybe the clutch needs to be adjusted, but why wouldn't the stealership have done it if that's the case...or is that a question we all ask ourselves?!? (If the pic doesn't make it, I will try again...still figuring this forum out :-) |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by stewmills on 08/28/12 at 15:51:52 Sorry, forgot to advise that the first image is with the little bit of slack out of the lever, the second is with the clutch lever fully engaged. Bike was cold when taken, not running temp. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by ralfyguy on 08/28/12 at 15:51:56 That is exactly like mine is after almost 18,000 miles. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by stewmills on 08/28/12 at 15:54:09 @ralfyguy - No long term damage that you know of? It scares me when it makes that noise, but maybe I am just too worried since this is my first bike. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by ralfyguy on 08/28/12 at 16:01:43 3A3D2C3E242025253A490 wrote:
Not that I can tell a thing. I got the bike nearly 5 years ago when it had 3,000 miles on it. It shifted like that back then and still does it the same. Nothing has changed. I just shift slow and easy from 1-2 and 2-1. It helps to shift early out of 1st, means it seems to be less rough the less rpm at time of shift. Then it goes rather smooth. It makes the rear tire last longer to if you're easy on her in 1st gear. Every now and then I need to smoke somebody and get on it, but I don't feel like it that often. As you get older, that kind of stuff gets less urgent. :D I can't tell any difference from over the years, just shift easy from 1-2 and 2-1, and you should be good. From 2-1 I usually let it drop below 15mph at least. Way smoother that way. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by stewmills on 08/28/12 at 16:06:02 4F5C515B445A48443D0 wrote:
Not that I can tell a thing. I got the bike nearly 5 years ago when it had 3,000 miles on it. It shifted like that back then and still does it the same. Nothing has changed. I just shift slow and easy from 1-2 and 2-1. It helps to shift early out of 1st, means it seems to be less rough the less rpm at time of shift. Then it goes rather smooth. It makes the rear tire last longer to if you're easy on her in 1st gear. Every now and then I need to smoke somebody and get on it, but I don't feel like it that often. As you get older, that kind of stuff gets less urgent. :D I can't tell any difference from over the years, just shift easy from 1-2 and 2-1, and you should be good. From 2-1 I usually let it drop below 15mph at least. Way smoother that way.[/quote] Thanks. That sounds exactly like what I have learned with the easy shifting 1-2 and 2-1 and at what speeds to shift. Guess I will keep an eye on it and keep on keeping on for mow! |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by SALB on 08/28/12 at 16:13:52 I wonder what the stealership put in it for oil?? ::) Too light of weight oil could definitely cause shifting problems. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by Serowbot on 08/28/12 at 17:16:15 She be a bit clunky by nature... Suzuki was trying to make it seem more like a Harley... If you can idle in gear without the bike rolling forward,.. yer' clutch be okay... ;)... |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/28/12 at 18:23:24 Idling in Neutral, clutch lever out, spins all the gears up. Pull clutch, wait a coupla seconds, step on it & drop into first,, mite clunk a bit, but its not hurtin anything, Going to 2nd is a pretty big jump, Haul in on the clutch, slap the gas closed raise the toe & go. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by stewmills on 08/28/12 at 18:28:36 6F6C6F7B6D656B0E0 wrote:
They use Honda brand GN4 10W40SJ. I used the same when I did the initial change so it has had that in it since 450-ish miles and the behavior hasn't changed. I'm not an oil guy, but my guess is this is decent if it is what they sell you and put in their machines, and I am hesitant to change it as I am told by several folks that you need not change the flavor of your oil over and over because the engine components need to get used to something (I have primarily heard this about cars/trucks). I am in East-Alabamer if the temperature in this region makes a difference in the oil weight best for this area. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by verslagen1 on 08/28/12 at 19:59:54 606776647E7A7F7F60130 wrote:
In't that the bad stuff? |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by stewmills on 08/28/12 at 21:00:36 6E7D6A6B74797F7D7629180 wrote:
In't that the bad stuff?[/quote] Don't know. Manual for my bike specifies 10W-40 SH or SJ so it has what it calls for, but I am open to suggestions. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by Digger on 08/28/12 at 21:26:05 5E59485A404441415E2D0 wrote:
In my experience: Overall: Check that you don't have too much slack in the clutch cable. #1 - Normal. To mitigate, run 'er up to about 20 mph or so before shifting to second. #2 - Normal. To mitigate, blip the throttle a bit when making the 2-1 downshift. #3 - Normal. To mitigate, pull the clutch lever in and wait a few seconds before making the N-1 shift. Example: You are waiting at a red light, first in line. You are in neutral with the clutch lever out (many will say not to do this, but hey....). The cross street light turns yellow. Pull in the clutch. By the time you get the green light, the clutch lever will have been in for a few seconds which often results in a smoother N-1 shift. #4 - Normal for a wet clutch, like ours. The plates get "stuck" together when the engine is off. A good push while in gear will frequently work to get the bike moving. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by Routy on 08/29/12 at 13:07:37 And the correct answer is ???? Ride it, stomp it, or kick it, or all the above. And if that don't convince you that everything is normal, listen to a Harley Davison shift,.....that'll convince ya yours is shiftin perfect ! |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by LouSiana on 08/29/12 at 13:45:25 I agree, that lady is a bit clunky at shifting. But it can make it easier, if you adjust the shifting lever rod to your foot. You should not need to take off your foot from the peg, neither for shift up or shift down. If you want to shift gears up, take your foot a bit up but don't let the sole lift from the peg. Just tilt it a bit in the ankle. If you want to shift down, swing your foot a bit and tilt a good bit more upwards, get a rest on the lever and down with it. You don't need to leave the sole from the footpeg. Best to be done if the lever rests upon your relaxed foot without any forces felt. I had some biker's beginners to teach that and they were astonished how simple and comparable easy shifting gears can be on bikes of the shift lever fits your body best. Try this! And then, clunky lady will do better. Still not that good like some others, but not as unmanageable than before. OK, a good adjusted clutch is required, too. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/29/12 at 15:08:47 Kickin & stompin bends the shift rod. If one can operate a standard shift vehicle, then this transmission is easy to work with. Shifting from 2nd thru to 5th w/o the clutch is easy as pie. Down from 5th to 2nd? Just as easy,, between 1st & 2nd? Not so easy,,,I can do it, but its not smooth enough to make it worth doing. When down shifting, pick up a few RPM before dropping it into 1st & letting out on the clutch,, |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by rfw2003 on 08/29/12 at 15:19:53 302F292E33340535053D2F23685A0 wrote:
Just a tip for ya JOG on the clutchless 2 to 1 shift. Get your speed down further in 2nd before you do the 2 to 1 and it will be alot smoother. Dunno if you have a tach or not but I let it drop to less then 1500 rpm in 2nd before I do a 2 to 1 clutchless and it's fairly smooth R.F. |
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Title: Re: 2008 LS650 - Transmission Shifting Hard Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/29/12 at 15:30:57 Ya know,, I never even considered that,,make serfect pense, tho..but when Im goin clutchless, Im haulin it,,so, I just haul in the clutch, drop it into 1st & gun it a bit & drop the clutch on it,, |
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