Ok I am puzzled. I have read about the positive neutral finder and I suspect it is at the root of my issue but I want to bounce it off some more knowledgeable and experienced brains. I am having issues shifting from 1st to 2nd, not every time but quite a bit. More often than not it occurs when I am winding it up hard off the line, I go to up shift and find I am in neutral with a screaming engine after the clutch dump. I have however had it occur when accelerating normally, and it has been really bugging me. Today I was actually looking at the neutral indicator and ensured it was not on - yet as soon as I let the clutch out it came on and sure enough, I am in fact in neutral. I know I am due an oil change and I know that will (should) improve shifting smoothness. Am I worrying over nothing and just in need of a refresher on my shifting technique after riding a Honda for so long?   

Change the oil first to a good high quality oil 15W50 is my flavor and then report back to how your shifting feels.

If it feels sloppy I can help; read my sig line and check the for sale forum at the top you will find a kit that GREATLY improves shift feel and quality.

I am having the same issue when the bike is cold would this apply to that as well. At times is feels like it ust doesn't want to shift.

I am having the same issue when the bike is cold would this apply to that as well. At times is feels like it ust doesn't want to shift.

Common trait to both the Concours and the line of engine that was born in 86 no matter when it was built. Likes to be warmed up before shifting smoothly. An oil change is usually very helpful. Try pre-loading the shifter with by lifting your foot into the shifter before you let off the gas then quickly blip the throttle; should make the jump from 1st to 2nd like ASAP...

  Wrote this awhile ago.



 I keep seeing "it shifts better with this oil". I've had my bike 18 yrs and a few yrs ago I noticed I was missing shifts from 1st to 2nd. When I changed oil shifting would be better for awhile and then get worse as the oil got older. I thought my tranny was going bad. Almost always missing shifts from 1st to 2nd.
  Well I had TCro's stick coils and they worked fine so I thought I'd try his heavy duty shift linkage. I have NOT missed a shift in over 6,000 miles.
   I thought it was the oil or a bad tranny. Just sloppy linkage I guess.
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   http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=67.0

I agree the conk is a clunk from 1st to 2nd an i too have missed the shift more then a few times' so now i never get on it to hard in 1st i just wait til 2nd gear then twist the throttle, but an oil change does help fore me but only fore that first 100-500 miles.

Adjusting the shifter a bit lower helps too, because your foot can then push it further up.

Adjusting the shifter a bit lower helps too, because your foot can then push it further up.

+1    yep one of the first things i did when i got my bike

1st to 2nd is a long throw change as it goes from 1st, past Neutral, to 2nd.
Adjusting the lever downwards helps as does decent oil and warming up the bike throuroughly, but you need to plan that shift if yer doing a Banzai start.
It requires full clutch and a hard shove upwards on the lever.
If you try to do a "fast" change it will often find Neutral.
I think that Kawasaki put it there to make BMW K100 owners feel at home. <LOL>