Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Hi everyone,
I purchased my new K9 650f on monday have have cover almost 200 miles. Not sure if this problem will resolve itself as the bike is ridden abit more or after its first service, but this seemed to be the ideal place to ask.

This is the first time iv purchased a new bike. I've noticed that unlike my old kawasaki 250 'practice bike', when im coming off the motorway to take my exit, or if i've been riding along country roads and i get to a junction with traffic lights etc, and im in 5 or 6th gear- my habit is to come to a near stop, pull in the cluctch, then go down the gears whilst stationary one gear at a time. the bike does not seem to like going down more than one gear. the gear indicator on the panel just goes blank, so im not sure what gear im in.

i then later tried to release the cluch to its biting point before having to go down with each gear. although this method works-it doesn't help if i need to go down the gears quickly as i have to keep finding biting point 5-6 times. should i be going down the gears in advance to help me with 'planning ahead'?

secondly, when im changing up/down through the gears, is it better to increase the throttle a little before slipping the clutch back out. i find that is a moother gear change but cant remember if this was bad for the engine?

sorry for rambling on, but im getting so much more confident on the bike and a couple of times car drivers have given me way to go into side roads etc, and i've stalled the bike coz iv tried to change down gears too quicky whilst being in stationary position- its very embarrassing and confidence breaking!!!

I just got my new GSX yesterday and last night the exact same thing happened. If I wait until I'm stopped to go through the gears back to 1st, it does not like it. It gets "stuck" and you have to let the clutch out a little to make it happen.

Instead of waiting until I'm completely stopped, I downshift through the gears WHILE I am decelerating. I've had no issue since.

I chalked it up to getting to know the "personality" of the bike.

Downshift while you're decelerating so you're always in a "correct" gear for whatever speed.
Just like when you're accelerating and shifting up. Or do you use first gear to accelerate to whatever cruising speed and then shift to sixth gear skipping all the other gears? Probably not.
So why do it when decelerating, if it creates a problem, as you have noticed?

once you run the bike in 1000 miles later , things begin to free up and the bike is looser so to speak.

Try going down the gears while the bike is rolling , ideally you should be down to 3rd or 2nd before you come to a complete stop, don't leave the changing down until the last minute.

Thanks everyone,
it's always nice to know that your not the only one experiancing problems, and even better to know that solutions are available from the more knowledgeable!

It does makes sense to downshift before you come to a stop, but i guess its just a bad habit i picked up on the 'practice' bike as i didnt really care too much for it, and also because i didnt get to ride it so often that i just got a bit slack with my awareness. iv already done more miles in a week on my gsx650f than i did in a year on my ninja gpx250!

And what about when changing up a gear? was the correct way to apply a little of the throttle whilst slowly engaging the bike into gear? thats what someone once told me. i've tried doing this lately and the switchover in to the new gear is smoother-but wasnt sure if this would be damaging the motor in some way in the long run?

Many thanks in advance

Az

When decelerating, let the engine brake for you. Just let go of the throttle and change down gears as the engine braking slows down the bike so fast you'll notice you won't have much use for the brakes in most situations!
Also as the fuel injection is completely cut during engine braking, no fuel is consumed and you save on fuel as well as brake pads. And it sounds good, too, especially with an aftermarker exhaust.

Giving more throttle when changing up sounds like the complete opposite of what I think is the normal way. Do you mean you are intentionally letting the clutch slip? It will wear.
For a fraction of a second, give the bike a little less throttle, jab the clutch in and pull in the next gear.
When accelerating hard the smoothest way to change up is NOT to use the clutch at all. Again ease up a tiny bit on the throttle for a fraction of a second and at the same time quickly but gently lift the gear lever. The gearbox will positively "suck" the gear in without the slightest jerk. It really is very easy and takes only a bit of practice.

No damage from changing this way without the clutch?

Well, people have "always" been doing it, and some people have always worried it might not be good for the gearbox. It has been much discussed and I have never seen anyone present anything resembling proof that it would be bad.
If done properly, it is THE smoothest way to change. So if the gear just slips in with perfect smoothness, why would one even suspect it might be damaging?
Well, it's one of those things many people do all the time, and some don't just to be sure. I can't offer you any absolute guarantee unfortunately.

thanks some_finn i will check it out on my ride later today!

i to did the same thing when i first started and ran into the same situation. like they explain get in the habit of down shifting through your gears before you come to a stop and you will never encounter this again......safe riding!

Thanks again everyone!

Will defo try the advice from the experts and let you know how i got on. i guess i just need some time for the two of us to 'bond together' a little bit more, but im sure everyones advice will make that happen a lot more sooner now!

thanks again!

Hiya!

Just thought that i'd update on how im getting along since i took the advice from everyone above. Its been over 3 weeks now and my riding has improved over 300% at least! the most useful advice was that of planning my stop when approaching junctions or coming to a stop. My gears no longer get 'stuck' and the ride is becoming smoother all the time. iv noticed that its also helped in improving my slow speed handling as i come to a gradual stop i can speed up if need be, or rest my feet without losing balance or looking like a plonker

Hope this helps anyone else who has/had this problem...

When I am coming to a stop, I want my back brake light to flash a buncha times so vehicles behind me will more likely see that I am slowing down. A constant red brake light is not easily reasoned to be somebody who is stopping.

Generally, and it depends what gear that I am in when coming to a stop, generally, touch the front brake lever to flash the rear brake light (this gets the stopping action going, let off the front brake), then, I shift down two (pull in the clutch, click down twice on the shifter, let out the clutch), a little more front brake lever to flash the rear brake light, let off the front brake, then, shift down two, let out the clutch, Gently squeeze the front brake lever, as the bike comes almost to a stop, give some back brake, shift down two and it will be in first gear, let off the front brake all the way, and the last couple of feet is rear brake only, no front brake at all. The idea is to down shift and flash that rear brake light while in the process of braking. Coming to a stop with your left foot down, right foot on back brake pedal, clutch in, off the front brake completely.

This gives you the benefit of being in gear while braking, so you can, if needed, begin accelerating. This process gets you into a habit that makes it real easy to start from a stop, to go up hill. The gears help slow the bike. At the end of the stopping process you can turn your front wheel to avoid stuff or to set up for a turn. Using front brake all the way to the stop eliminates the opportunity to avoid stuff, and set up for a turn.