Hey all...having an issue w/ my 650 and would like some input. I am getting a noticeable lurch/shake, enough to shake the entire bike, when I shift from neutral to first gear. The lurch/shake is worse when sitting stationary and shifting from N to 1st, but I get a similar shake at low speeds shifting from 2nd into 1st when coming to a stop. Also is a noticeable noise with the vibration, just seems like it does not want to shift smoothly...been like this since day one when I bought it...being my first bike I didn't give it much thought until I got it inspected this weekend and the mechanic questioned me about it. If it's a concern I want to get it back to the dealer while the warranty is still good. Suggestions?

 

hmm, it is a brand new bike and not broke in. If the inspector questioned it as well, could be that the clutch pack is not broke in with the oil used, or how is the oil level even? Some lurching from neutral to first is not a bad thing, or a clunking sound. What idle speed is this ride running at? As you mentioned, it would not hurt to let your dealer mechanic inspect it again. Good luck

 

Pity about it being your first bike. You won't be riding it hard enough to break it in properly in the later stages of break in - or if you do, you're unlikely to survive as a member here for very long.

Check the chain adjustment and clutch cable free play are correct. The Kawasaki box is a bit agricultural, so expect it to improve after break in, and to improve a lot after about three or four thousand miles.

Some lurching going into first from neutral is common, especially while the engine is cold. The oil causes the clutch plates to stick a bit until it's hot.

Rob

 

Thanks for the responses (except maybe for the one about not surviving very long...wow). The engine speed is about 1200 RPM at idle. I checked the clutch cable and found it to have a little play so I tightened it up a bit. Rode by the dealer where i bought it a few days ago and asked them about it. They said some lurching is not unusual but if it got worse to bring it back (talk about covering yourself). Have noticed a little smoother shifting now that the excessive play is out of the clutch, appreciate the insight guys...thanks

 

It's a serious comment. To fully break in a bike, during the latter stages of the break in you should be pushing it to over 10K rpm and full throttle for periods of time gradually extending in length.

If you do that as new rider on a 130 mph bike you're unlikely to survive. Anything faster than the 650 really needs to be ridden on the track to complete the break in, as you cant ride properly at speeds much over 130 on the street and expect to die in bed, however experienced you are. Short bursts in a straight line on an empty road don't count.

Clutch cable should have 1mm - 2mm of free play at the lever.

Rob

 

lol, poor jason.
You gotta forgive rob, he means well

Sounds like you may have found your problem, if the clutch catches a little bit it can make it really rough onthe shifts, let us know how it works out.

 

I appreciate the advice Rob...sorry if I came off like a wise guy...I still consider myself quite the newbie (have just under 5K miles under my belt). I'm trying to absorb as much information as I can from the posts on the forums as well as other sources (the MSF course, friends, and other riders like yourself) and put it to practice so I'm grateful for your time (and everyone else's) in responding; not looking to become a statistic so I haven't gone full throttle at that rpm...don't want to hurt myself or anyone else on the road.

Chose the 650 instead of a 250 for simple economics...didn't have the disposable cash to buy a bigger bike if I outgrew the 250. Also, the dealer gave me a price on the 650 I didn't think I could pass up. Hope I made the right choice...guess we'll see. What I can say is that I really enjoy riding the 650 so far...gets good mileage (between 48 and 55/gallon depending on how and where I ride), comfort is good, and I found it to have pretty good maneuvering (even better after I replaced the stock bars w/ sport bars). Been trying to stretch out the rpms the last two or three months but still not at excessive speeds, hopefully that will have helped with some break-in.

Welcome any other comments you may have...apologize again for the earlier joke...no offense intended.

 

I can relate to your thinking Jason. Probably why my first sportbike was the zx7 (averaged 17k miles/yr). Not many people can trade up every year or two. Sounds like you have it all worked out, congrats.