In shifting though gears, with bike running and stationary, after shifting in to first gear hard to shift into neutral without tuning off power to bike.

Instructions

1. • 1 The gears on a motorcycle run in this order: first, neutral, second, third, fourth and fifth. When you are moving, shifting up from first gear will skip over neutral and shift you right into second gear. The only time that shifting up from first will get you into neutral is when you are not moving.
     
   • 2 Pull in the clutch lever and tap the gear lever down until it stops. This will signify first gear. Pressing the gear lever down will shift you down one step and pressing it up will shift up one step.
     
   • 3 Tap the gear lever up one click while still holding in the clutch. This will put the bike into neutral.
     
   • 4 Start the bike. The bike needs to be in neutral to start.
     
   • 5 Hold in the clutch lever and tap the shifting lever down to shift to first gear.
     
   • 6 Release the clutch slowly and give it just enough gas to get moving.
     
   • 7 Listen to the motor to know when you need to shift. If the engine is making a low grumbling noise, then it will need to be shifted down. If it is making a high squealing noise, then it needs to be shifted up.
     

Instructions

1

The gears on a motorcycle run in this order: first, neutral, second, third, fourth and fifth. When you are moving, shifting up from first gear will skip over neutral and shift you right into second gear. The only time that shifting up from first will get you into neutral is when you are not moving.
2

Pull in the clutch lever and tap the gear lever down until it stops. This will signify first gear. Pressing the gear lever down will shift you down one step and pressing it up will shift up one step.

3

Tap the gear lever up one click while still holding in the clutch. This will put the bike into neutral.
4

Start the bike. The bike needs to be in neutral to start.
5

Hold in the clutch lever and tap the shifting lever down to shift to first gear.
6

Release the clutch slowly and give it just enough gas to get moving.
7

Listen to the motor to know when you need to shift. If the engine is making a low grumbling noise, then it will need to be shifted down. If it is making a high squealing noise, then it needs to be shifted up.

Try rocking bike to and fro, while you shift to neutral.

Instructions

1.
The 2nd gear lockout is, a mechanical speed sensing mechanism. It doesn't care if the engine is running. You bypass it by scooting the bike forward, about 5-6 mph, while shifting the transmission into 2nd gear.
2

Stand on the left side of the bike, with the ignition "ON" and the transmission in neutral.
3 With your right foot on the ground, behind your left foot: place your left foot on the left foot peg, with your toe under the shifter; squeeze in the clutch.
*4.Scoot the bike forward about 5-6 mph, with your right foot, and shift the transmission into 2nd gear, with your left foot. If you accidentally go into 3rd, or some higher gear, you can easily shift back down into 2nd, without further movement of the bike.
5.To start the bike: Apply the choke if the engine is cold. Squeeze in the clutch and push the bike forward, both feet on the ground, about 8-12 mph. Release the clutch until the engine start
6
As soon as the engine starts: squeeze in the clutch and shift the bike into neutral.

personally I have never heard of a chain breaking and having any affect on the transmission and shifting. although if the chain broke and caught the shifter, it may have pulled the shifter so hard that it could have bent the shifting forks inside the transmission.. this would explain most of your problems..replace the chain,and with the bike "off" and in neutral, on level ground, rock it back and fourth about 6 inches and try shifting from neutral to 1st and then back up to neutral, and then to 2nd. keep rocking the bike back and fourth while doing this and do this WITHOUT using the clutch. If it wont go to the gears easily, the shift forks are likely bent. there is a safety switch for the kickstand that will shut the bike down if the kickstand is down and bike is in gear. if the kickstand is up and releasing the clutch shuts down the bike, the chain may have damaged that as well. Hope this helps..

neutral light stays on ( grounded neutral wire / bad neutrl switch.
shifting problems
1. gear shift return spring weak or broken not a lowing the shift lever to to return to its neutral position to grab the next gear selector.
2. Oxidation on shift shaft and case preventing free movement of the shift shaft to return to the neutral position.
3. Clutch adjustment

The popping noise is gear dogs trying to engage a gear. You did not say that the bike doesn't shift smoothly so I would tend to rule out a bent shift fork. The neutral stopper pin may be worn or the stopper spring or other springs may be broken (see diagram). Another possibility is a broken stationary gear circlip which would let the gear wander a bit on the shaft. most the parts are available at Babbitt's. Go to www.babbittsonline.com/parts/viewbybrand/parts.aspx

The transmission on your bike is not syncronized like a cars trans. When you are trying to shift from neutral at speed you must slow down to allow the gears to mesh. As far as having to rock the bike into gear sometimes, I have owned eighteen motorcycles of different sizes and makes and have had to rock all of them at one time or another to get them in gear. again lack of syncronization. It really doesn't sound as if you have a problem.
bigc

just input , not resolving anything. but i used to have a similar issue with mine, but i had a gs 750t . it has around 20,000 on the clock. sometimes it didnt want to shift into 1st from a dead stop, i had to let out on clutch, then pull clutch again , then it went right in. the gears are so fine cut in the bikes that once they get worn, even the shift fork, it gets a little harder to get into those gears without a little coaxing. by the sounds of it (without knowing the mileage) i dont think id worry too much. especially if its shifting up and down through gears without grinding of any sort. if the clutch is ok on it (being an 03) i assume its still touchy , ull be ok