ok as the topic and description state my buddy just picked up a sv650s as his first bike. Now it is a used bike but its in decent condition.

my question is:

while riding the bike to find neutral is impossible and if you slow to a stop in first gear the shifter will not allow you to shift into neutral.

IS THIS NORMAL???? i cant figure it out while shifting in gear while moving there is no issues but once the bike come to a complete stop it refuses to go into neutral or 2nd or any gear other then 1st.

what do you guys think??

 

Operator error, probably. If not, I'd be looking to a burnt or warped clutch.

 

Sounds about right to me. I have a freind who owns one and he has never said anything like that. His only complaint was the tranny was a little "clunky".

 

damn that sucks he just bought it and he is nervous about the whole thing. i hate to spring this on him.....i let the mechanic do it.

 

Try flexing out the clutch lever adjuster a few clicks, then pull the lever. I've had that happen a few times, usually it's because the clutch isn't fully engaged, even though the bike idles fine. That is more than likely your culprit. Neutral requires somewhat of a light touch on any motorcycle, I'm not sure if your first-timer has the touch yet.

 

true that may be the case. i think the bike needs to be adjusted to suit him.

 

I have a Suzuki DL650 that has the same engine & box as the SV650, and I do not have the problem you describe.

What is common is coasting to a stop in say fourth and then trying to click down to neutral or first with difficulty. The solution is to either find first before you stop, or as I often do, change down one gear and then let out the clutch a bit to engage slightly, and then go down again. This works well.

However when I am in first I have no trouble finding neutral as you describe, so there is obviously a problem.

 

hmmm...here's another thought.

Is it a hydraulic or cable actuated clutch?

If the hydraulic fluid is dark looking bleed the clutch @ the slave cylinder until fresh clean fluid comes out. (same with the brake fluid if it's dirty or over a year old)