Bike jumping out of gear (normal?)

[Maverick9999]

Hi there,

I've had two strange problems which I think are related to either my gear changing style or an issue with the bike. The first instance was about a month ago when I was pulling away from a side street and I must not have tapped the gear lever hard enough, it went into second but when I started winding the throttle up to accelerate it fell out of the gear into neutral and the revs climbed. I clicked it into second and all was well again.

I have been fine since then, thinking it was just me not clicking up hard enough. However, today, I was pulling away from a set of lights, I must have change to 3rd and then slowed for a traffic camera (40mph), when I'd passed it and started winding the throttle up the engine stuttered a little bit and I felt a loss of power and the revs climbed close to the rev limiter. Scared me a bit (as I've got a fear of the gearbox locking up one day and throwing me off), so I pulled the clutch in case the engine ground to a halt. I eased up on the throttle to bring the revs down and I shifted down a gear (no crunch). The gear engaged and everything was back to normal.

I wanted to know what you guys thought of the problem, whether it's me or something sinister with the bike. Obviously would be happier if it's me as it sounds like it's gonna cost me to put it right if it's the bike.

I'm new (1 year) to big bikes and the SV650S (K4) so feel free to tell me that I've just been a muppet and things like this happen all the time if you're not paying attention to gear changes.

[Joeskeppi]

When I first got my bike, I experienced your first example (2nd slipping back to neutral) twice, wasn't booting it up hard enough.

2nd one sounds worrying though.

[bengrrr]

Ive had both of these and the slipping into neutral happens all the time. My boss has had a few SVs over the years and said to me when i first experienced it that it was "just the clunky SV gearbox". Like yourself though im not to into the idea of being thrown off! :(

[SUPERSTARDJ01]

I had the same issue with my ZX6 but the issue went mostly with a good service and oil change.

[DarrenSV650S]

It sometimes happens to me going in to 5th if I'm a bit lazy with the gear lever. Have you tried adjusting the gear lever to the perfect height? Makes a big difference

[Biker Biggles]

Check a couple of basic maintenance issues------Oil level ok/need changing?
Chain lubed and adjusted?
Gear linkage.Is it correct and lubed?Pay particular attention to the gear lever where it pivots on the footrest.Lack of lube here causes poor shift action.

[Maverick9999]

I'll have a check. The bike's just had a major service and it's MOT last month so I presumed things should be in order.

I don't really know how to adjust the height of the gear lever will have a google round/look at the haynes manual.

[DarrenSV650S]

You adjust the gear lever by loosening the two nuts on the rod (one is reverse thread) then turn the rod to lift the lever up or down. There's a pic in the haynes in section 6.4

[Maverick9999]

K. Will have a look. Just have that feeling in my gut now everytime I shift up whether the bike's gonna doing it again (indicating there's a severe problem with it :( ).

[SUPERSTARDJ01]

what year is it? how many miles? and does it have a warrenty?

[Maverick9999]

it's a pointy K4, 04 plate. Can't remember the miles off the top of my head, roughly 18k I think. Do you mean the suzuki warranty? Or a warranty on the service?

[SUPERSTARDJ01]

When i bought my bike in November 2009 the garage gave me a rolling 1yr parts and labour warrenty as long as I get it service there every 6mths the warrenty continues for the life of the bike and it's a 2004 plate, just wondering if you have anything simular?

How long have you had it?

Did you get it private?

[Maverick9999]

I used spannerman in sudbury, he's an org member. Don't think he gives such warranties although his work and service is usually good.

I've had the bike since february-ish.

Bought the bike private from another org member. He mentioned it had been dropped on both sides although the bike rode fine and had no dents in the levers etc...

Your questions sound serious, does it sound like a major problem (bearing in mind it's happened twice only) ?

[barwel1992]

hapend to me every know and then, usually when the bike is cold ish

mines a k3 with 18k

[Joeskeppi]

My car also does this when I don't put it in gear properly, not seeing anything to worry about here.

[Maverick9999]

Could it be something with the clutch? perhaps it's not adjusted properly so it won't let the gears engage correctly when pulled? Does the clutch need seeing to after a certain amount of miles?