Upshifting problem
 

I have a 2003 SV650 and am having an off and on problem up-shifting into mostly 3rd gear. Sometimes it takes two attempts. Very disconcerting at times. Anybody else experienced this and know what the issue is?

Check the adjustment on your clutch, it might help. Check chain tention.. Check most things to do with the transmission and see that they fall within spec.

dirty linkage is often the culpret of shifting problems

Yep I have that problem on my K3 too, always when going into third, and generally when accelerating hard, so its a pain. Just covered the linkages in ACF-50 which might help, but generally I find if my toe is too far under the change bar it happens, but if I just lift at the end of the bar its fine.

Yeah, I have that little annoyance on my 2001. Thought it was just me as I only seem to have noticed the problem since getting a new pair of boots.
However, have come to the conclusion that it's definitely not me as it happens in the same gear all the time (2nd-3rd).

While we're on this topic. Does anyone have trouble getting into neutral once the bikes been running for awhile. For the first 10-15 min of a ride, neutral is easy to find at traffic lights, however, once the engine warms up it's almost impossible to shift into neutral as the gear box gets very tight. Switch engine off and it's back to being as easy as ...

Are these two problems related...? Any suggestions as to what it may be? I'm completely mechanically inept so bear in mind that all responses will be googled.

Difficulty finding neutral can often be a result of over filled oil.

Missing gears on the up change can also be due to the gear shift lever being in an awkward position. Try moving it.

i dont tend to shift into neutral at lights, unless I know the lights take a while to change I see no point.

I just keep the clutch in and in 1st gear. I guess I dont run the risk of breaking something by doing this?

Combination of really cold hands and long traffic lights on Camberwell Road. Otherwise yeah, usually leave it in first.

I had this problem on my curvy, I took the clutch push-rod out and found it was so caked up with chain lube that it wasn't going in properly so i cleaned it and put it back it and hay presto no problems

Use neutral when you don't need to move, you may not break anything by leaving it in gear but there will be increased wear.