SuzukiSavage.com - Difficult 5th gear

dv8savagerider

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Difficult 5th gear
08/01/10 at 13:35:08

I am new to this forum and this is my first post/ question. A couple of months ago i purchased a 2001 Suzuki Savage with only 3000 miles on it. It runs great with the exception of the common backfire issue which i am working on. There is one thing that i cant quite figure out though- it seems to shift hard going into 5th gear. Sometimes it will go right into the gear and sometimes it seems like it clicks twice getting into gear. Is this a transmission issue/ rpm issue/ or maybe just finding the right "sweet spot" issue? Does anyone else have these problems and if so what did you do to fix it? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

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2001 Savage, Corbin seat, Jardine Rumbler Slashcut exhaust, K&N Air Filter, Ed L. 4" Fwd Controls, Stage 2 Carb Jet Kit

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #1 - 08/01/10 at 14:05:21 Just part of the charm of the Savage. Its common & hasnt caused any real ( read: Spend $$$ on it) problems. Ive noticed that if I go for a clutchless shif into 5th, I dont feel that. I also shift, hit the gas, let off & then, TRY to drive it on in to 5th,, It rarely moves a bit more.
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dv8savagerider Junior Member Offline Ride safe! Posts: 88 Southern Michigan Gender:	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #2 - 08/01/10 at 14:21:29 Thanks for the reply- thats what i was kinda hoping for - just a part of its charm
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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #3 - 08/01/10 at 14:30:56 I think its getting used to I don't find it any harder going in to 5th than any other bike,Synthetic motorcycle oil does seem to make all bikes shift slightly easier.I use Klotz racing synthetic.
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dv8savagerider Junior Member Offline Ride safe! Posts: 88 Southern Michigan Gender:	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #4 - 08/01/10 at 14:37:52 Thanks- I just changed the oil prior to posting this hoping that might help, next time i might go with the synthetic...any opinion on Amsoil? thats what i run in my autos
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verslagen1

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Re: Difficult 5th gear
Reply #5 - 08/01/10 at 15:29:31

The key to easy shifting is not to force it.
apply pressure in the direction you want to go, squeeze the clutch, adjust the throttle and if it hasn't gone already apply more pressure to get it into gear. Let out the clutch and it should be there.

This works at a dead stop too. just don't let the clutch out all the way or you'll be shittin' your pants.

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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #6 - 08/01/10 at 17:32:00 dv8savagerider wrote on 08/01/10 at 14:37:52: Thanks- I just changed the oil prior to posting this hoping that might help, next time i might go with the synthetic...any opinion on Amsoil? thats what i run in my autos Amsoil should be good and shift easier
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ralfyguy Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 932	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #7 - 08/01/10 at 18:06:51 I use Lucas Oil. I seem to be the only one.
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Routy

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Re: Difficult 5th gear
Reply #8 - 08/01/10 at 19:13:04

I use a secret oil, but it doesn't change the tranny shift.
Very simple,...just hold pressure on the shifter till the clutch is dumped. It will either shift or miss a gear, and it never misses a gear.

Backfire ? Stop it ? Many men tried, many men failed. Some even think they stopped it, and some did, but only till they turned their back on it. I love it !

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Rich
'07 S40 Blvd stocker, except drilled OEM exhaust and white spacer mod...1/2 (.055)

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dv8savagerider Junior Member Offline Ride safe! Posts: 88 Southern Michigan Gender:	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #9 - 08/01/10 at 20:25:07 Yeah the backfire is growing on me, lol. Its funny to see people duck when you drive by
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BurnPgh Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 1732	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #10 - 08/01/10 at 22:09:36 You're looking for a WHOOSH or PHOOT as far as the backfire goes. I havent been able to get any better than that. As far as 5th...its normal. You can clutchless shift it, keep upward pressure on until you fully let out the clutch lever, or F*** 5th. Its pretty much useless anyway.
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Hashbrown Full Member Offline What can brown do for you! Posts: 235 Nashua, NH Gender:	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #11 - 08/01/10 at 23:15:27 BurnPgh wrote on 08/01/10 at 22:09:36: You can clutchless shift it, keep upward pressure on until you fully let out the clutch lever, or F*** 5th. Its pretty much useless anyway. apparently you dont let her get above 50 mph, poor thing must be chomping at the bit
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Oldnewguy Senior Member Offline thumpin' along! Posts: 369 Upstate NY Gender:	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #12 - 08/02/10 at 12:48:29 The difference between 4th and 5th is only 300 rpm. It's a highway gear?
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28890 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #13 - 08/02/10 at 13:13:49 I think the top gear ratio is set by trade agreement otherwise HD would never catch up to us.
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Tanker2Biker Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 231 Spring, TX (north of Houston) Gender:	Re: Difficult 5th gear Reply #14 - 08/02/10 at 15:39:43 dv8savagerider wrote on 08/01/10 at 20:25:07: Yeah the backfire is growing on me, lol. Its funny to see people duck when you drive by Sometimes funny, but I drive in parts of Houston where that noise could get you shot by somebody!
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