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Trying to shift gears is getting more and more tougher. I have to apply more than a comfortable amount of pressure to get it to snap into the next gear.

When I first got my Ninja 250, a butterfly could sit on my shift leaver and it'll click down without any effort. Now, I feel a heavy resistance shifting both up and down. I didn't even notice the problem until I rode a 07 Ninja 250 with only 500 mi on it. Even my clutch is getting very tough to pull in (relative to the other ninja). When my friend rode the bike, it sounded like it was back-firing because of how loud the gears were clicking into place (usually shifting down and up between 1st and 2nd).

So.. whats the deal here? My bike only has 3k miles and was just recently inspected a week or 2 ago. I guess the clutch cable could just need some lubing, but it still doesnt explain the difficulty to shift gears.

Has your o8il been changed recently? If not, get it done. Then make sure the cable is adjusted properly. That's where I would start. It might need more attention, but these two are the first steps.

You're just being a wimp.

Seriously, start with the easy stuff, oil change, lubing cables, and if those don't help, adjust the clutch and go from there until you get it solved, but I agree with Shorts, it is probably he oil telling you that it wants to be changed.

I changed the oil 4 times in 3000 miles. Every other "small" thing seems to be unrelated to how tough my gear shifter is becoming. Thats assuming I havn't even taken care of those already.

ChemicalTaste wrote:Even my clutch is getting very tough to pull in.

Is the clutch cable unkinked and routed properly?

I believe so. Everything is stock, and I never touched any cables. I might need to re-lube my cables. Maybe its just getting old? The other ninja had 500mi and mine has 3000. I guess 2500 will stiffen the bike up a little... or not.

In addition to all the advice given also check to make sure the cable is not frayed anywhere.

fireguzzi wrote:In addition to all the advice given also check to make sure the cable is not frayed anywhere.

+1 Last winter when the clutch on my Bonneville started feeling wonky, it was actually a warning the cable was getting ready to break. Wish I'd paid more attention, I wouldn't have gotten stranded 40 miles from home on New Year's Eve. Mostly when the cables break, they go at the top in or near the lever, that's where you want to check first.

I don't think I have any of these issues on my 2007 Ninja 250 - 3100 miles and currently in for its 3100 mile service.

RhadamYgg

ChemicalTaste wrote:I believe so. Everything is stock, and I never touched any cables. I might need to re-lube my cables. Maybe its just getting old? The other ninja had 500mi and mine has 3000. I guess 2500 will stiffen the bike up a little... or not.

"Old" isn't the reason. And the bike doesn't "stiffen up" with use.