Hi Everyone,

I am new to this group,new to riding and have a new(to me) '02 Suzuki Savage (my first bike ever).

I have been reading your posts for hours and ya'll are so interesting and smart!

I have learned so much from just reading the posts here. I really appreciate this group!

I do have a question though and to me it sounds so dumb but I've thought about the problem and just can't figure it out,so I have to ask.(I apologize in advance,as this is my first post)and of course you'll see how little I know about some things

First I wanted to say.....The first time I got on my bike I felt like someone had made this bike just for me! Everything from previous owner was adjusted just right...to fit me.I instantly fell in Love with this bike.
Then,I noticed the back tire was worst than I thought so I decided to have a new tire put on and oil changed.
My question is.....I took my Bike to a sorta Motorcycle Repair guy.He said he changed the tire,adjusted my foot brake and changed the oil and checked my bike out for me.
Ok, then I let a friend of mine ride it home for me....I still havent gotten out on the Highway yet.
So,when I got on it.....it didnt feel like my bike anymore!!
Especially the clutch.....it is now so hard to hold in that the palm of my hand turns red and hurts!
I asked the guy what he did to the clutch and he said "Nothing"....so now I dont know what to do!
Does anyone have any suggestions or know what could have caused this? I know it sounds dumb but it is sooooo important to me to try to get it back like it was.
As a brand new rider I now feel uncomfortable on it,where before it was "Perfect" and very comfortable to me.

Thanks for any help,

FreeSpirit in Georgia

Welcome Honey and do not feel any of your questions are dumb.  If it was not for this site and the help I have gotten I would still be 'wondering in the wilderness'.  Sorry I don't have an answer for your clutch problem but you will soon have some.

I'm sure that this is not the case, but being new to motorcycles people can get confused. If your using the front brake thinking it's the clutch it will be hard to pull in and will hurt your hand, so just making sure your using the clutch on the left and not the front brake.

JakeB

Welcome to the boards.  Stay away from any posts that are about helmets.............dangerous waters  

Using the clutch does take some getting used to and you have to build up some hand strength.  Recommend gloves with gel palms.

FreeSpirit,

Welcome to the forum.

Stick with it and you will figure out what the problem is. Most likely it was something that happened either by accident or design at the mechanic's. T-mack1 had several good suggestions. Let us know when you figure it out or if you have more questions. Forrest had a good suggestion also. While it probably doesn't apply to your immediate situation, strengthening your hands can make long rides easier to do.

If for some reason the seat is not on properly, it will feel different. Even a little change in angle can do this.

It could also be that the clutch was slightly moved to a different postion when you had work done on it.  Check to see if the clutch lever angle is the same as the brake lever.  The tension is adjustable - check your manual when that comes in for exactly how to. Or just keep reading here...its bound to turn up!  

Ride safe, and let us know how you fare!

Well,the only thing I can say is "It was a Last Time at that (same)mechanic"
(Not a good experience at all)

He jerked back the rubber boot, adjusted the cable as fast as he could ,as far out as he could.(very arrogantly)
Told me he couldnt lubricate the clutch cable unless he took it off the bike completely and gave me no answers to the problem.
He was just very rude.
(BTW,he says he rides a  Harley .) But I've never seen another bike there at all.

So I'm glad I have a Savage....it seems only nice people ride a Savage

I decided though to not let it get to me,to just find a good mechanic and chalk it up as good (and last)experience,to be more particular who I take my bike to. And know that the problem can be fixed even if he couldnt do it.

I hope I can say all that without going against the rules here!
If not it will be 2 bad experiences in 2 days! and 2 lessons learned

T-Mack 1,

To be honest I have been working so many hours,I havent ridden it yet.But very glad to get it home (A friend of mine rode it home for me,but she's not use to Savages,as far as the sound,feel,etc.So she said)

But off work tomorrow and will see how it does.

I read your post and even though I understand part of it not sure I completely understand every thing Could be due to lack of sleep When I get some sleep I will probably understand more.

I will try to get someone else to check it for me also and see what they think.A friend and his wife from a local club is suppose to come over Sunday.

While I was there though he didnt touch the other end of the cable,just at the lever/grip.


I did like your almost rant and rave though I needed that.
I don't think he would have been that mean to a man ...he's not much bigger than me

I do appreciate any advice  because even if I dont understand all of it,it does start fitting together.

Are you basically talking about the adjustment at the lever.....too much slack or too tight....causing the clutch to slip,wear out ,etc.or is there more  that I'm not getting right now ?
Sorry,need sleep