Whenever my RPMs get lower than 2,500 in 1st and 2nd gear only my 98 superhawk kind of chugs like its not happy and almost randomly kicks forward like its telling me "Go Faster". Is that normal? Why would it randomly kick like that? What's happening?

 

Because going below 2500 rpm is blatantly stupid? The bike is most definetly telling you to stop lugging it, and get your *** going... Nothing odd at all about that...

 

Oh good, This is my first street bike, only ever had an enduro and its totally different. This is way better though.

 

That was funny yep, if you had a thumper it is definitely different, any bike with more then single cylinder will not be happy in low RPM, you will see allot more of that on inline 4 bikes where it feels like the bike is a pig until you get it to at list half way up the RPM

 

Yeah I cruise at 4k or so around town. Motor totally loves it there. The fast onset of torque fools you into thinking you should be lower, but just remember it's a sportbike and those cylinders should spin fast all day long and be perfectly happy.

 

Nothing more then too low of RPM, the engine is lugging, and slop in the chain, transmission is causing the "jerking" your feeling.

Riding in 1st gear at just above idle (2500 rpm) can be done in slow parking lot maneuvers, just stay close to the clutch, or add a little rear brake drag to load the drive line .