Howdy - My 2005 Vstrom 650 has been acting a bit strange as of lately. When shifting, the shift feels not as quick and direct, rather it feels like when I release the clutch the engine has to rev slightly back up. Basically the shifts are not snappy. Any ideas? Hopefully my explanation makes some sort of sense.
I'd start with the easy things. Check and lube the shift linkage, check the clutch cable slack and that nothing is interfering with it releasing (The cable should not be lubed but the cable ends need lube where they attach to the levers.). I once had issues with a free heated glove cable end getting caught in such a way that it stopped the clutch lever from fully returning to the handlebar.
If those all check out open the cover over the front sprocket and make sure the clutch release device is working freely. Then check and adjust the actuator to make sure there is the proper amount of free play.
If that is doesn't fix it then there is something more at play although it is very rare that clutch Plates and springs need replacement.
I am not sure if you are saying that the shifting action is different or that you are saying that the clutch action is different. It makes a lot of difference when I clean and lube my shift linkage ('05 wee).
I've had a slightly crunchy shifting in the first 3 gears due to the clutch being interfered with by the Oxford grips rotating on the bar. Gluing it in place fixed that.
Some folks clain this or that oil has made a difference in the operation of the shifting too. Look up the oil sticky.
My 04 Wee has 100K miles and still operates well enough to not need work.
The bike is an ‘05 with 25k miles. I just changed the oil and used Mobil 1 racing (last pil change was done by a dealer so not sure what they had in it). It’s been going on for a while but mostly when shifting to 3rd and up. Not it seems to be doing it in 2nd as well.
This is my first V Strom so it could just be the way the bike is as I have no comparisons.
I have been trying to find someone who has one close to me to compare, but no luck so far (Tampa area).
Was the Mobil 1 Racing that you used made specifically for motorcycles? If not you may be getting clutch slippage due to friction modifiers used in car oil.
To check for clutch slippage get a bit of speed up, pull in the clutch, rev the engine high a let go of the clutch. If the motor keeps revving and doesn't immediately slow down then the clutch slipping. That could be from oil but also could be from bad adjust or something preventing the clutch lever or cable from fully releasing.
When I suffered difficult, erratic, and crunchy shifting the cure was a full clutch adjustment. Not just the levers and cable ends but the clutch actuator as well.
So upon more testing, it seems when it reaches 7000 rpm there is a slight power loss or leveling off. RPM still climb but it stops accelerating as hard.
Do the flow test first. I bet it's low. Then do the bypass and all will be well again. There are a ton of posts about it. Just search for the topic and stromtrooper an they will pop up. Also a lot of pictures
What you say is quite mysterious. Give us more info.
What bike, mileage, located where, what maintenance has been done and when, fuel flow test results .. etc.
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