Stiff gear changing
 

Hi,
i'm having a problem with the gear shifting on my 2011 xtz660.
it has around 55k KM on it.
when shifting gears, i have to press/pull hard on the pedal and it feels there is a "step" in the middle.
does it have any connection to the fact that i changed oil ? (to 15w50).
if any easy solution i'll be trying myself - if not - to the garage.
thanks :)

if it's started since you changed the oil...
Go back to a 10w40 see if that sorts it..
Put Motul 5100 or Yamalube in it , as they are the same oil...





..

Are XT's a particularly oil sensitive bike? I was going to ask this question in another thread as I recently spent a lot of money on ipone oil, only for someone to then tell me they didn't rate it very highly. Oil isn't something I skimp on, but if the XT seems to like one brand or specification more than others, I'd prefer to use that, especially since I too have something of a stiff gearbox getting in to third.

AS ABOVE......
Yamalube = Motul 5100

Definitely check the oil, especially as you've changed it recently and swapped to a higher viscosity. Also check the clutch adjustment first.

However, if it's just third gear (you'd expect the oil/clutch to affect all gears), it could be the first signs of a worn stopper lever arm and/or shift shaft? This is relatively easy to check by removing the clutch cover and inspecting it for play. If it is worn then it can lead to more serious gearbox problems if not attended to. The parts can be replaced relatively easily with the engine still in the frame.

Read this thread from post 87.