Trouble getting it into neutral and 1st gear

[zooner]

I sometimes have trouble putting it in neutral or shifting down to 1st. If I release the cluctch a bit just so it starts to engage, then sqeeze the clutch too fully disengage it, I can ususally shift it easily into 1st or neurtral. Any suggestions? Is this a clutch adjustment issue?

[mrlmd1]

All bikes, and this one too, are a little difficult to get into first gear from a standing stop, like at a light or when starting out. Roll the bike a few inches either forward or back and it should pop into first. It has nothing to do with the clutch needing adjustment, that's just the way most bikes are.
Neutral can be hard to find from first, usually when stopped it is easy to pass it and go up into second gear. Just tap the shifter down lightly and you'll get into neutral if you passed it. Watch for the neutral light to go on. It takes a little practice to be able to "feel it" and get it right every time.
Welcome to the club - you're not alone with those questions, and welcome to the forum.

[Sarris]

Some folks say that their bike shifts easier with synthetic oil. Other than that, double check the clutch adjustment.

All GeeZer transmissions are a little recalcitrant. Bulletproof, but a little difficult sometimes.

[VTXorcist]

That little trick you learned to get it to shift when it sticks will serve you well. I have to do that with my other bike when I come to a stop then try to shift, too.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by zooner

I sometimes have trouble putting it in neutral or shifting down to 1st.

Good answers so far and they all, I think, assumed that you are at a standstill when that happens. If that is true, then the best solution is to shift into 1st gear just BEFORE you come to a complete stop.

If, OTOH, you are having trouble getting into 1st while you are still moving......then yes, you probably have too much slack in your clutch cable; adjustment is easy, right there near the clutch lever, under that rubber boot.

[zooner]

Yes, it's when I'm at a standstill. Thanks everyone for the quick replies.

[mrlmd1]

If you should stop, say at a stop sign or at a light, you should be in first gear, clutch in (disengaged), so that if necessary you can make a quick getaway or move the bike if somebody is coming up on your rear end fast and is going to hit you (like they didn't see you sitting there while they were on their cell phone). Like ER said, it's easier to put it into first as you are slowly rolling along than it is to get it into gear after you have stopped. Get in the habit of leaving it in gear at a light or stop sign instead of looking for neutral.

[dhgeyer]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

If you should stop, say at a stop sign or at a light, you should be in first gear, clutch in (disengaged), so that if necessary you can make a quick getaway

Quick getaway? This is a GZ250 we're talkin' about here..... :biggrin:

Just funnin'. Of course you are right, and you should also stop far enough behind the car in front so that you are not trapped, and can dodge if you need to. Another good habit is to stop with the bike angled slightly and the wheel turned just enough so that you don't have to initiate a swerve from a dead stop: you're set to dodge in whichever direction you had decided would be best as you came to a stop.

There was a bad accident here in Merrimack a couple of years ago where a guy on a Harley didn't do this, and got creamed by a drunk in a pick up truck. He got sandwiched between the truck and the vehicle in front of him. I came by a while after it happened. The rider was gone via ambulance already, but the bike was still there. It honestly was not recognizable as a motorcycle. I watched the papers to see if the guy survived, but I don't think they followed up on it, and I never found out. There was a big blood spot there on the road for a long time after that.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

If you should stop, say at a stop sign or at a light, you should be in first gear, clutch in (disengaged), so that if necessary you can make a quick getaway or move the bike if somebody is coming up on your rear end fast and is going to hit you (like they didn't see you sitting there while they were on their cell phone). Like ER said, it's easier to put it into first as you are slowly rolling along than it is to get it into gear after you have stopped. Get in the habit of leaving it in gear at a light or stop sign instead of looking for neutral.

Yup, always be ready to get the heck outta there if need be. Strangely enough back in the early 80s the rider's course in Alberta taught newbies to put the trans in neutral at a stop. Yah right, a non-rider must have thought that up. Thankfully it got changed.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by dhgeyer

Of course you are right, and you should also stop far enough behind the car in front so that you are not trapped, and can dodge if you need to.

You would think after ~40 years of riding that one would actually be able to DO the things he knows he should do.......but that's not always the case.

That's one I have to work on.......for the above reason and because my Shadow with a 4 speed tranny tends to jump off the line so you need to let the guy in front get a ways ahead first.

Oddly enough, I DO tend to leave space when in a cage. :??:
Old habits ARE hard to break.