Not this exactly.  But I've found, when the machine warms up, the shifter often goes dead on downshifts.

You step on it, and it doesn't shift.  Can't shift up or down.  Letting out the clutch a little gives a >snap!< and the lower gear pops in.  Often the next gear down does the same...that's a 5-4 and 4-3 shift.

By the same token, I frequently don't get that satisfying snick! in upshifts, although the gear goes in.  Sometimes if I hold the shift lever up, it will snick when power starts to apply; sometimes not.

This is the third metric bike I had that was this way; the other two were Yamahas.  The first one was used; and I wrote it off to wear.  The second one was new to me, and I passed it off as my damage from sloppy shifting.

Third time, on a nearly-new Suzuki...something's gotta be up with the basic rachet design....

Mine is still notchy as all getout at 12,000 miles.  Reminds me of my BMW car - took almost 100,000 miles to get the trans broken in.  

1 - 2 and 2 -1 are touchy.  2 - 3 and 3 - 4 get lots of use and are easy either direction.  4 - 5 varies from no feel effortless to fail to go in.  5 - 4 is fine.  

Switching to synthetic oil greatly improved the shifting.  

I've not had a metric bike trans apart, so I don't have the visualization as precise as I would like.

Mine does the same thing at times too. It also sometimes wont go into first from neutral. I let the clutch out and then pull it back in and then my bike shifts just fine. As far as shifting from 4th to 5th, I think that most of our bikes have that issue. Sometimes it shifts fine, other times it doesn't feel like it shifts but does. Switching to synthetic oil does seem to help.

The bike is an '06 with 4000+ miles. I bought it used. Except for the shifting, it runs and looks about new. It has synthetic Mobile 1 V-Twin 20W-50 oil in it. (fresh change) Thanks everyone for all ihe information. Hope there is more coming....Dan

I must say... you guys must ride in silk socks.
You really feel all that crap?
I just apply a little pressure in the direction I want to go, clutch it or not, twist the grip and she's in like flinn.
I think you're trying to be too touchy/feely.  
Mannup, shiftit, wheelie optional.

Justin, why would I want to do that? That sounds like a maniac's method. I intend to enjoy riding my bike, not drag racing at every start. Upshifts are OK. It is down shifting that concerns me. Thanks for your input anyway....Dan

Ebikerman wrote on 09/24/09 at 10:10:24:




Because once you can do that, youll be able to do it the soft & easy way. You can shift up & down w/o the clutch, sitting straight up, totally relaxed & into neutral, rolling up to a stop & never touch the clutch.
Eliminates cable wear, eliminates clutch wear, & gives a sense of accomplishment.