Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

im experiencing this... and yes at 1-2 only... im thinking of bringing the bike in for a check under the warranty, just in case.

I read that some GSXRs have this and needed something adjusted in the gears

I'm up over 8,000 km, and can't remember the last time this happened, seems to reduce with break-in (and maybe rider experience)

Anybody get a clunk into first from Neutral?

This is my first bike BTW, so be gentle.

I learnt on a Honda CB500, it did this all the time, as did my instructors CBF600, which I've also ridden.

Also, 1st to 2nd felt a bit clunky to me. (Not always though)

Maybe I'm not pulling the clutch in far enough. (I've only ridden it home for an hour from the dealers so far.)

It's 2nd hand and has 4,700 miles on her.

Tris

Yes a clunk is normal. The bike will only start to loosen up after around 6000km.
Your shifting should get a lot smoother after that. We all go through it on the 650F, so nothing to be concerned about.
You will find it a bit stiff mainly from 1st, to 2nd too which again will loosen up.

Thanks for the info mate.

The bike has done 4,700 miles though (about 7,500km)

Should I be worried about the clunk or perhaps I'm just not used to her yet?

Cheers

Tris

The 650F shifts gears the same as every other bike I have ever owned or ridden.

There's a clunk? Even after 30 000 km, the GSXF is still a smooth shifter. I occasionaly clutchless shift from 1st to 2nd, just takes timing and practice. Most the time when I get a clunk is when I'm slowing down but still travelling too fast for downshifting. Apart from that, its clutchless up shifting and the nice growl from the yoshy when I do it properly

Yes! - From a stand still from neutral to 1st, when I put her in to 1st, it clunks in to first. Similarly, from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.

3rd to 4th to 5th to 6th are smooth and no clunks.....

What should I do about neutral to 1st, 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd ??

Worried now if you are all getting smmoth as butter changes in these gears. Especially as I've only done 4,700 miles..

Tris

Always works for me when the shifting get clunky.

The bike had a service on Tuesday just gone (the day I picked it up) So oil is fresh.

Now, I'm new to bikes and have never adjusted a chain. What do I need to do? - Sorry for a newbie question

Tris

Every motorcycle I ever owned badly clunks into first. As you move up in the gears it becomes less clunky.
It apparently is 100% normal for it to do this, even though I can understand your concern.
None of the transmissions I ever had failed.

Previous bikes: 1993 Suzuki Katana 600, 1993 Suzuki Katana 1100.

Cheers for that.

I was only concerned based on what everyone is saying that it shouldn't be this way.

My Dad's Shadow does the same and the CB500's I learned on, and my instructors CBF 600 does the same. - So I do feel better now.

thanks very much

Tris

If you think the GSXF is clunky, try a Kawasaki gear box. On my KLE 500 it was a monster clunk into first or second.

I think the clunkiness is just me not being used to the bike yet.

Had a lovely ride today and all shifts between all gears were silky smooth!

I figured out that when I am getting silky changes it's when I'm changing up at higher speeds in each gear.

Before, I think I was changing too early. Not sure of the logic there, but that certainly seems to be the difference between my clunky shifts and silky shifts.

Either way I feel pleased!!


Tris

The logic, you are matching road speed and shifting at a higher rev range. Generally, 5000 or higher makes for the smoother shift and 2000 or below for downshifting.