Suzuki Bandit 600 - gear changing problem

I bought a 600 bandit a few months back. Apart from not lubing the
chain frequently enough (which I am getting into the habit of doing
every 250 miles or so) I have not had any major problems.

However recently I have noticed that it can be difficult to change
gear down when stopping - it will drop down to 3rd, then not budge. I
can rock forward and back and snick it down (with a bit of patience),
or push it gently up then back down twice however sometimes when
riding it just will not budge either wayy at all for a few seconds
then drop down/up. Does anybody have any idea what could be causing
this?

Help much appreciated.

 

Are you down shifting before you come to a complete stop?

 

Generally but not all the way down before a total stop.

Is that a *ding* ?

 

You should be in 1st gear before coming to a stop. Just in case you need
to unass the area in a hurry.

 

Once again, in English this time, please.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ DS#8 BOTAFOT#3 SbS#2 UKRMMA#13 DFV#8 SKA#2 IBB#10
`\\ | //'
`\|/`
`

 

It's how I was taught to ride. I find it convenient to have the bike in
1st gear at a stop light ready to move till all the traffic behind me is
stopped.

Translation: Leave the immediate area in a hurry.

 

Oh well, that's all right then. Far be it from anyone to expect you to
be able to explain why it's a good idea; clearly if someone else
thinks so, it must be the case.

It's much more convenient to put it in neutral, so you can let go of
the clutch. People who learnt to ride in countries where auto-boxes
are not the norm on cars would always tend to prefer this, but in any
event it doesn't require that you select your preferred position
before you come to a stop.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
\`\ | /`/ DS#8 BOTAFOT#3 SbS#2 UKRMMA#13 DFV#8 SKA#2 IBB#10
`\\ | //'
`\|/`
`

 

See below.

What if the **** behind you decides not to stop? You can get in gear and
and move out of the way before you get run over? I like it in gear till
everyone's stopped then I put it in neutral.

Anyway at stop signs I never put my feet down unless there is other
traffic at the intersection. I put it on 1st as I come to the limit
line, grab the front brake to pause a second and then ride off.

 

It's also what I used to do pre-arthritis (ie before it got painful to
hold the clutch in for any length of time) - I was never taught to do
it - it was just how I did things.

Post-PA I used to knock it into neutral so that I could sit there
without having to hold the clutch in - and just hold it with my foot on
the rear brake for stability.

Phil

 

This *may* have been the source of mine - thinking about it I have a
(very dim) memory of being told that it was a good idea to be ready to
move at any time.

This was in London though - rules may be different elsewhere..

Phil.

 

Both my GSXRs (which I believe have the same or very similar footpegs)
suffered from a nylon bush inside them expanding in shite weather.

Once this bush was smoothed down a bit and the gear shift free'd up on
the peg it was vastly better.

 

AKA psoriatic-arthritis. I just couldn't be bothered to type it all
out.

Phil.

 

One may lead to the other - punted from behind into a busy dual
carriageway. Happened to me once. Luckily I was in a car, damage to
metal only.

 

Dealer first told me about it on the 750 when I took it for a service
in moaned about the symptoms the OP is reporting.

I did the same on the Thou but on the bush. Guess it doesn't make any
difference really.

 

Doesn't say that here.

 

Thanks. Ill get the garage to do this - too much scope for the
gearbox never working again if I have a go!

 

The key statement being "I wont say it's impossible" !