Problem changing from 1st to 2nd (and back again)

[greenmynci]

I got a new VTR250 a couple of months back, which has recently developed a weird issue when changing between certain gears (1st to 2nd, and from 2nd to 1st.). When i gear up out of first , its hitting neutral very frequently, and will sometime take a couple of tries to hit second. Feathering the clutch seems to help, but not always. Going down from 2nd to 1st does the same. When it does hit first theres an odd 'kicking/clunking' feeling.
Changing from 2nd to 5th and back again is not a problem.
Should i be getting this looked at as a warranty issue, or is there something i could try myself before i get it back to the shop ? I've only been riding for a couple of months so excuse my noobness..

[speedyjared]

Yep. take it to a dealer under warranty claim. no doubts.

[Maxo]

You'll get a bit of a clunk with neutral going down to first.
Sometimes if you're a bit soft shifting between first and second you can chuck it into neutral.

Has it had its first oil change/service?

[dognpogz]

My instructor said i had a pussy foot and kick the bastard harder.i do find though every now and then i know ive been a bit girlie between 1st and 2nd and it does go to neutral,not saying thats you problem though.

[greenmynci]

It had its first (1000K) service a couple of days ago, but the problem had started before then. (i was kind of hoping it might be fixed by the service). I know what you mean about being a bit soft between gears, but i'm changing gears the same way I always have been, and it's been ok until now. Would adjusting the gear shift lever help at all ?

[killswitch54923]

my bike does it every now and again will even slip back out of 2nd to neutral after i have shifted but a firm kick up the ass (gear lever) tends to fix this immediately.

[Maxo]

If you're struggling to get your foot under it or move it under the lever, it might make your shifts a bit better and quicker (and fix the issue).
Give it a shot.

[RubY]

I have an 09 VTR same as yours but in black. It will sit in neutral if you don't put a bit of force into your shift up into second. Even more so if you have adjusted the gear shift lever, I had to since it was too hard to fit my foot in with it the way it was. I still hit neutral instead of second sometimes. Get it checked out if your still not happy with it, its still under warranty so take it in and get them to have a look.

[gongzee]

lol i'd be more pissed off if my bike had trouble getting into neutral. My bike does the same tho, i just got used to kicking up again if it goes into neutral

[St Ives]

Different bike and your 250 might carry higher revs than mine but 1st to 2nd is a very long time on my bike. With mine it helps to put a little pre-pressure on the gear lever (not too much like clutchless shifting) before pulling in the clutch lever. It also helps to rev it a bit higher in first so during the change the revs don't drop so much which seems to be an issue on mine.

With yours take it back to the dealer for them to tell you its just normal and they can't see anything unusual. I'd suggest keeping a written record of each time you bring up the problem to the dealer so if eventually when the warranty expires and the problem worsens you can tell them to fix it under warranty since it was reported during the warranty period.

[Lochwood]

Different bike and your 250 might carry higher revs than mine but 1st to 2nd is a very long time on my bike. With mine it helps to put a little pre-pressure on the gear lever (not too much like clutchless shifting) before pulling in the clutch lever. It also helps to rev it a bit higher in first so during the change the revs don't drop so much which seems to be an issue on mine.

With yours take it back to the dealer for them to tell you its just normal and they can't see anything unusual. I'd suggest keeping a written record of each time you bring up the problem to the dealer so if eventually when the warranty expires and the problem worsens you can tell them to fix it under warranty since it was reported during the warranty period.

Good advice here. In addition to revving higher in first and applying pre-emptive pressure, for the down change from 2nd to 1st try giving it a blip of throttle as you pull the clutch in. It makes the change smoother and easier on the engine, and makes it less likely the positive neutral finder will come into play.

[greenmynci]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll try it out and the ride home tonight and see how it goes. I've got some new boots on order that will require me adjusting the gear lever so i'll see how it plays out after that as well.