SuzukiSavage.com - Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)

Jimbo215

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 10

Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)
09/20/11 at 21:34:56

Hi, first time poster here. I recently purchased a 97 Savage with just over 10000 miles on it. After riding it some I found out I can't shift into fifth gear. After scouring these forums I have found this is an issue common with Savages but I feel mine is different.

For starters, I have tried clutch-less shifting and all the recommendations for shifting into 5th found on this site and the rest of the web. The problem is, it doesn't feel like there is a 5th gear at all when I try to change from 4th. I mean the gear shifter is like a wall. Lifting up on the gear shifter while in 4th gear is no different that trying to push down on the gear shifter while in 1st gear. I've tried with all my might to slide into 5th but to no avail. I recently changed the oil as well with 15w40 and noticed no change.

I know that Savages didn't have 5 gears until 95, mine is a 97. I even double checked the VIN on the title the seller gave me (who also insisted it went into 5th fine before I bought it from him) and everything checks out.

Other than this, the bike seems to run great but I am nervous about taking it on the highway and going above 55 in 4th. It's kind of a deal breaker, seeing as I need the highway to do most of my commuting to work.

Sorry for the wall of text. Does anyone have any advice on this matter?
Thanks for any help and I look forward to being a part of this awesome forum!

Back to top

IP Logged

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28752 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650) Reply #1 - 09/20/11 at 21:49:28 5th seems like a half shift you'll hardly notice the difference. but check the side of the pulley cover. it says how many gears you got. other than that, where you at? you need an experienced savage rider or a tach.
Back to top	Versey's Place Tech Section Index IP Logged

Serowbot

YaBB Moderator
ModSquad

Offline

OK.... so what's the
speed of dark?

Posts: 28362
Tucson Az
Gender: male

Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)
Reply #2 - 09/20/11 at 22:57:18

You do know that it's 1 down and 4 up right?...

I suspect that you are finding 5th gear,... but are missing 1st...
That would be the 1 down,... from neutral...

Losing 5th gear in a 95' or newer bike,... is not common at all...
In fact.... I've never heard of it... Huh

...

PS... only about 100rpm difference between 4th and 5th...

Back to top

Ludicrous Speed !... ... Huh

...

IP Logged

scubachef

Full Member

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 140

Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)
Reply #3 - 09/21/11 at 08:29:27

I felt that I was having the same issue with my 96 just after getting it. I was used to riding a Trimuph Thruxton and the shifting was blissfully smooth and the throw was short. After some investigation I found that I had been shifting into fifth the whole time but skipping a gear in the process. It sounds like you are seeing the same. Here were my findings. First to 2nd was a longer throw for me and the shift from 4th to 5th is really short and effortless. It took me some getting used to but as I shift up the amount of effort needed to hit the next highest gear is less and less. Just my personal findings on my personal bike....hope this helps.

Back to top

IP Logged

justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650) Reply #4 - 09/21/11 at 10:02:07 count down as you shift down, prove it to yourself,,
Back to top	The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke. IP Logged

MrBrownTX

Full Member

Offline

Posts: 242
Caddo Mills TX
Gender: male

Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)
Reply #5 - 09/21/11 at 10:45:08

verslagen1 wrote on 09/20/11 at 21:49:28:

5th seems like a half shift you'll hardly notice the difference.

but check the side of the pulley cover. it says how many gears you got.

other than that, where you at? you need an experienced savage rider or a tach.

I have noticed that there is almost no difference between 4th and 5th. When I shift to 5th I don't notice any drop in RPM like I do on other bikes.

Back to top

Used to have 2006 S40 http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1331666008/0
Gear up like you are going to slide across the pavement. Ride like everyone else is trying to kill you

IP Logged

Jimbo215

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 10

Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)
Reply #6 - 09/21/11 at 19:06:20

verslagen1 wrote on 09/20/11 at 21:49:28:

5th seems like a half shift you'll hardly notice the difference.

but check the side of the pulley cover. it says how many gears you got.

other than that, where you at? you need an experienced savage rider or a tach.

I checked the side and it clearly says 5. I'm a new rider but I know enough to know that 1-N-2-3-4-5. I also count down all the time and only get three clicks. I just feel like its revving to high in 4th going faster than 60, but again I'm a new rider so I'm not sure how the engine should sound at higher RPMs I'm just judging off what I think sounds like a lot.

Again it's not that I dont notice any difference in fifth, it's that it physically wont go into 5th. 3 clicks up from 1st gear puts it in 4th (unless somehow I'm skipping a gear) and then a wall, nothing after that.

Back to top

IP Logged

MrBrownTX Full Member Offline Posts: 242 Caddo Mills TX Gender:	Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650) Reply #7 - 09/21/11 at 19:14:49 yeah yeah, I think people saying that there isn't much difference are saying that to let you know you aren't missing out on much. If it costs too much to fix I wouldn't say its worth it unless what ever is causing this problem could spread.
Back to top	Used to have 2006 S40 http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1331666008/0 Gear up like you are going to slide across the pavement. Ride like everyone else is trying to kill you IP Logged

Jimbo215

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 10

Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)
Reply #8 - 09/21/11 at 20:00:30

MrBrownTX wrote on 09/21/11 at 19:14:49:

yeah yeah, I think people saying that there isn't much difference are saying that to let you know you aren't missing out on much. If it costs too much to fix I wouldn't say its worth it unless what ever is causing this problem could spread.

Fair enough. I guess I just feel like it's revving way to much in 4th gear past like 55. Is this also a possibility?

Back to top

IP Logged

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28752 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650) Reply #9 - 09/21/11 at 20:24:48 Jimbo215 wrote on 09/21/11 at 20:00:30: Fair enough. I guess I just feel like it's revving way to much in 4th gear past like 55. Is this also a possibility? I've been up to 65? 75? don't remember which in 4th when I was kindly reminded to shift by a shift light I had set up at 5500 rpm.
Back to top	Versey's Place Tech Section Index IP Logged

Jimbo215

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 10

Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)
Reply #10 - 09/21/11 at 20:36:08

verslagen1 wrote on 09/21/11 at 20:24:48:

Jimbo215 wrote on 09/21/11 at 20:00:30:

Fair enough. I guess I just feel like it's revving way to much in 4th gear past like 55. Is this also a possibility?

I've been up to 65? 75? don't remember which in 4th when I was kindly reminded to shift by a shift light I had set up at 5500 rpm.

I don't have a tachometer, but I'm looking into one. However, is it a possibility that my engine isn't quite working properly (not very mechanically inclined yet) and is revving to high without enough output?

Back to top

IP Logged

Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28362 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650) Reply #11 - 09/21/11 at 22:34:15 ... don't tell anybody but,... I've hit 90mph in 4th gear... ...
Back to top	Ludicrous Speed !... ... ... IP Logged

drums1

Serious Thumper

Offline

'87 Savage
Bashed--Down for the
count

Posts: 664
Racine, Wisconsin
Gender: male

Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)
Reply #12 - 09/22/11 at 08:33:01

I've had my '87 up to 85mph in 4th. Of course my '87 only has 4. I, too, think it sounds like it's revving way too high, and could use a 5th gear. Anything over 55, the vibration is almost unbearable for more than 10-15 minutes. Pisses me off when these Harleys go whizzing by me, sounding like they're idling.
Being a used bike, is there a chance, or is it even possible, that someone maybe changed out the tranny in there for an older one with only 4 gears??

Back to top

IP Logged

dinsdale

Full Member

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 186
Ottawa, Canada
Gender: male

Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650)
Reply #13 - 09/22/11 at 08:41:45

Try shifting with engine off by rolling back and forth.
Count your gears.

5th for me comes easy when really pushing hard (Accelerating) and is harder when accelerating slower , have to pull in clutch and lift up and keep lifting for a second or two until it gets in.

That being said, their is little to no noticeable difference in 5th and on occasion I tell that I am already there when I go to shift and the shifter doesn't move.

Back to top

IP Logged

justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Can't shift into 5th gear! (1997 ls650) Reply #14 - 09/22/11 at 09:52:28 Does the shifter go up or does it stop? IOW, is the shifter travel normal?
Back to top	The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke. IP Logged