Newbie Gear change issue

[Toff244]

Hi all,
I’ve just stepped up from a 125 stroker to a curvy 650s.

(Outline)

I’ve had a couple of worrying moments out and about with shifting up, particularly 2nd to 3rd, I’ve gone to change up to 3rd and it’s not engaged and stayed in 2nd unknown to me. So when I release the clutch the bike locks solid due to the rapid rev increase (more info on this below).
The bike is a 2K 650s, it has a 47BHP restrictor kit, KnN filter and a dyno jet kit. If these things have any bearing on it

(Question)

Ive noticed that the engine speed drops instantly to about 1k revs during changes (a lot faster than any other big bike ive ridden). Is this just the nature of the bike, is this something wrong with the bike or just a rookie error?

Ive tried to give as much detail as I can if more is needed I will provide where I can. Also won’t be offended if you all tell me it’s just me not knowing how to ride it right yet.

Cheers Toff

[saucysaunders]

The sudden rev drop is just the nature of the bike.

Not going in to gear could be as simple a problem as the clutch lever not being adjusted properly, I'd say unscrew the clutch lever adjuster slightly, then try it out and get back to us. :)

[Runako]

Hi all,
I’ve just stepped up from a 125 stroker to a curvy 650s.

(Outline)

I’ve had a couple of worrying moments out and about with shifting up, particularly 2nd to 3rd, I’ve gone to change up to 3rd and it’s not engaged and stayed in 2nd unknown to me. So when I release the clutch the bike locks solid due to the rapid rev increase (more info on this below).
The bike is a 2K 650s, it has a 47BHP restrictor kit, KnN filter and a dyno jet kit. If these things have any bearing on it

(Question)

Ive noticed that the engine speed drops instantly to about 1k revs during changes (a lot faster than any other big bike ive ridden). Is this just the nature of the bike, is this something wrong with the bike or just a rookie error?

Ive tried to give as much detail as I can if more is needed I will provide where I can. Also won’t be offended if you all tell me it’s just me not knowing how to ride it right yet.

Cheers Toff

To solve your problem what you need to do is "Go and buy a pointy" :-D

If you're short on cash (as lets face it, you won't get much back for that antique) then here are my suggestions.

As mentioned, check your clutch cable adjustment. There is not just the cable at the lever, but also the one by the shifter. Get a Haynes manual if you haven't already done so.

An easy suggestion (as you're relatively new to the bike) is to shift faster! Whilst heavy engine braking is a characteristic of the SV the revs shouldn't drop especially quickly unless you're taking too long to dump the clutch. Otherwise it could indicate that you just need to adjust the biting point as above.

[Toff244]

Id love a "pointy" but passed my test 6 weeks ago, fancy the insurance is better on the antique @ £90 a year :D

Cheers for the comments guys i will try a few things and let you know the results, hopefully i dont fire it down the road in the process

[Runako]

Haha, my teasing was tongue in cheek by the way. I'm trying to provoke another Pointy v Curvy war ;-) Good luck.

[Toff244]

i know, no offence taken. im just glad to be off a 125

[SvNewbie]

Sounds a little odd. Suzuki have a generally good reputation in the gearbox department. My SV is easily the best of the bikes I've ridden.

How is the chain adjustment? Too tight can make changing gear difficult. 2nd - 3rd from my limited experience is an unusual issue. Most clutch problems manifest themselves as not being able to get into neutral.

One thing I'd say, if you are giving the bike enough time for you to notice the revs drop then you are almost certainly changing too slowly. A little clutch and a moderate boot-full on the shifter at practically the same instant should see it pop into gear very smoothly. Totally unlike a car where smoothness comes from being gentle and progressive.

Also, make sure you are fully releasing the shifter between gears, otherwise the ratchet mechanism won't work, try being quite deliberate about this and see if it helps.

Where are you located? Maybe someone nearby can take it for a spin.

[jambo]

Here there are maybe 2 issues. Perhaps.

1) Why are gears getting missed. This could be any number of things, but I would check that the gear shift lever is at a comfortable level, such that you can easily reach the top and bottom of its travel when changing. Sometimes these things are just down to the control position. Check the clutch out as well if you are unsure if the clutch is fully disengaging when shifting (search "clutch adjustment" by Sid Squid on here).

2) RPM and engine braking. The SV650's engine is quite unlike a 125 2T motor. More power, and more engine braking. Enough to make a difference on down shifts and missed gears. As others have said, practice your shifting, including blipping the throttle a little on down-shifts to match rpm / road speed, and not letting the revs fall off completely when shifting up. It'll take a little time, don't worry about it.

Jambo

[Toff244]

Chain was set just before it went for an MOT and my levers were all done after my 1st few miles, when i knew what felt right and wrong. Perhaps im just taking too much time shifting and not being positive enough on the lever. ill take it out for a blast after work and see if it makes any difference, then start looking into clutch adjustments if its still an issue.

once again, thank you all for you help and advice

[Biker Biggles]

Probably technique,but it might be worth ensuring the gear lever is lubed up where it pivots on the footrest.Any sticking here will cause poor shifting and is a common fault on older bikes.

[cb1000rsteve]

Have you tried up shifting without the clutch pulled in? This would prove if the clutch is your problem or not.

[ChrisCurvyS]

Have you tried up shifting without the clutch pulled in? This would prove if the clutch is your problem or not.
This is what you want to be aiming for anyway - you'll become a much smoother rider once you get the hang of it.

Loads of instructional vids on YouTube etc if you search for 'clutchless upshifts'.

[Toff244]

Had a good run out on it this evening(about 50 miles, thats enough for me when its this cold). seems it was just me, i was just taking too long to go through the process and giving the engine too much time with the clutch in, feel 100% more confident in it now. cheers guys

[sniff]

Haha, my teasing was tongue in cheek by the way. I'm trying to provoke another Pointy v Curvy war ;-) Good luck.

You know this is a waste of time as we all know its pointy all the way. :smt083 :smt083 :smt083 :mrgreen:

[clarke135]

You know this is a waste of time as we all know its pointy all the way. :smt083 :smt083 :smt083 :mrgreen:


+1 :thumleft:

[nikon70]

I thought Suzuki make the curvy model for girls and pointy for men ..

[stuR]

Defo give clutchless shifting up a go, makes things alot smoother when you match the revs.

[SvNewbie]

One thing I found very useful in learning to shift more smoothly on a bike is to try taking a pillion. If they headbutt you, you are doing it wrong. Especially while riding enthusiastically.

I've found it difficult to do 2nd to 3rd as a clutchless shift, not that anything bad happens but its not as smooth as with the clutch. I suspect that is partially because I'm normally hitting 3rd as a cruising around town gear and at low RPM its more difficult to unload and reload the gearbox / chain. That said, the if you get timing right for clutchless shifting then you are in the correct ballpark with or without.