I have a 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan VN1500A 4 speed. The second gear does not work when I upshift but when I downshift it catches. How can I fix it??

Nasty sounds like the gear selector needs either adjusting or replacing which means a pull down
of the gearbox

HI,

all the way, it might be harder to get into neutral. Look to the instrument panel for a neutral indicator light, which is usually green in color. If you're overshooting neutral and going into first gear (which is a very common), use the edge of your boot so you don't apply too much pressure to the shifter... with enough practice, you'll get a feel for how to find neutral without even thinking about it!Q: How can I shift more smoothly?
A: The most effective way to shift smoothly is to pay attention to your bike's behavior: if your motorcycle jerks while you're letting out the clutch, you're probably doing too abrupt with your left hand. If you're lurching ahead during shifts, you might be applying too much throttle. And if your motorcycle slows down during shifts, you might not be revving the engine enough between gear changes, which will allow the engine to actually slow down the bike. Smooth shifting is all about paying attention to the way the clutch, the throttle, and the gear selector interact, and orchestrating the three with each other.Q: How do I slow down for a red light or a stop sign?
A: Because each gear operates within a certain range of speeds, you'll need to downshift if you end up going too slow for the gear you've selected. Let's say you're cruising along at 50 mph in 5th gear and need to come to a complete stop: the proper way to slow down is to downshift as you decelerate, selecting a lower gear and letting out the clutch while feathering the throttle to match revs. Doing so will not only allow you to use engine braking to help slow down, it will enable you to accelerate again if a light changes or if traffic conditions change and a stop is no longer necessary. If you come to a complete stop, it's best to shift into neutral, hold the brake, and only shift into 1st gear just before you're ready to go.
Q: What happens if I stall?
A: Don't worry if you stall out your motorcycle, but take immediate steps to start your bike up and get moving; staying stationary when traffic accelerates around you is dangerous, so you'll want to pull the clutch, start up the bike, shift into first, and get moving as soon as possible.
Q: Is it OK to skip gears?
A: If you wish to rev higher but skip a gear, doing so will result in roughly the same rate of acceleration (though each gear change will take longer.) Though this may not be the smoothest way to ride, doing so can sometimes save gas if it's done efficiently.
Q: Should I leave the motorcycle in gear when I park it?
A: It's OK to leave your motorcycle in neutral when you're parked on level ground, but if you're parking at an incline, leaving it in gear (preferably 1st) will keep it from rolling off its side stand or center stand.