So this morning I went out and tried to put my bike into neutral and let it warm up, but the bike wont go into neutral.. it skips right to seconds gear and from second right to first.

No neutral light flickers or anything.. just simply skips neutral.

I can still start and ride it (as long as I start it with the kickstand up) but it has to be up and the clutch has to be in constantly.  

Last time I rode I hit a neutral between 4th and 5th gear and came right out of it with no issues and have done it before.. so I didn't figure that was the issue.  Other than that nothing else seems to be wrong.

Could the problem escalate and take out my other gears?

1997 suzuki savage with 5800 miles.  All stock with 155 main jet.


**EDIT**
Okay.. so I guess it was KIND of in neutral?
No neutral light came on.  It will do the half shift up and feel as if it went into neutral and the clutch can come out, but if the kick stand goes down it dies.
Also, when shifting from "neutral" to 1st it shifts down pretty hard, it's a noticeable click and jerk.

Sounds like like neutral sensor isn't working...  It's the wire that goes down into the right sidecase at the rear...
Check the connector under the tank,  (blue single wire, I think)...
Disconnect and reconnect the speedo multi connector too...

If you're having trouble finding neutral with the engine off,... pull and release the clutch lever, and try again...

Serowbot wrote on 05/16/12 at 12:20:58:


+1

and more info on a recent thread here: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1336272415

I think we have 2 different issues involved.

For the ones who cannot find neutral with the engine on or off - it sounds like the neutral detent and/or neutral light switch is to blame.  I believe you need to check the linkage inside the engine case and see if anything is loose, broken or bent.

For the ones who cannot find neutral with the engine running, it sounds like maybe you have a little bit of clutch drag that puts a small bind on the gears. Try adjusting the clutch a little tighter.

Tore the bike apart last night and everything appeared normal.. couldn't find any wires out of place or anything bent.

Before we take this to a suzuki dealer/shop, is there any harm in not having a neutral?  I've never used it in the past that I recall.. I always shut off in gear and just move the bike (if it's off) I just move it in first gear with the clutch in.. so aside from not being able to put the kick stand down or let the clutch out.. is their really in harm?


As for clutch adjustment.. how can I change that and get the clutch where it should be?

Well heck,... I never heard of such a thing...

If it were me...  I'd just ride it for a while....  
Neutral went away for no apparent reason,... maybe it'll come back...  ...

Nope.. Nothing in the world allows the bike to start or continue running with the kickstand down (clutch CAN come out) and nothing at all turns on the neutral light.

If the clutch can come out & its running, youre in neutral,,


Edit to add

And you arent moving,

Just a guess,... but one backed by some experience...
I think the the ticking is not related...
Tighten the front belt pulley... it has a fold over washer that will fool you...
Looks tight, but it ain't... crank it down, and refold the washer..

Your neutral sensor,... is not connecting... either a bad sensor, or wiring contact... check contacts first...'cause, they're easier...
Mine have flubbed enough, that I now have both the sidestand and clutch cut-outs bypassed...