Trouble shifting to neutral

[DementedDinosaw]

Hi,

I recently bought an Aprilia STX 150 second hand. This is my first bike. It has been sitting unused for approx. 6 months.
I have a problem (i think) with the bike not wanting to shift to neutral. When i am parked in my driveway or at the lights, if i want to shift to neutral, the foot lever won't move when the clutch lever is fully pulled in.
If I turn the engine off, I can shift to neutral easily.
If the bike is up on its centre stand, the rear wheel moves quite fast when in 1st, and it moves even faster when i give it some throttle.
Also, if the engine is turned off, the rear wheel is a little stiff when in first and the clutch is pulled in.
I don't know if I am doing it wrong, or if something just needs to be adjusted.

any help would be appreciated.

[AllanB]

Nothing unusual about the clutch needing to be pulled in fully at a stop to select neutral as you describe.

likewise when on the stand in gear the rear wheel will often rotate slowly - just a bit of clutch drag. Logically it will speed up if you give it a rev. Same thing when turned of on the stand in gear - just a bit of drag. Pop it in neutral and that resistance will be gone.

Did you buy the bike from a shop? Had it been serviced - fresh oil?

If you don't know give it a oil and filter change - pop in a decent semi-synthetic oil as fresh oil can make a difference to shifting (try Motul 5100). Me I like the full synthetics but you'll shit yourself at the price.

[DementedDinosaw]

Nothing unusual about the clutch needing to be pulled in fully at a stop to select neutral as you describe.

likewise when on the stand in gear the rear wheel will often rotate slowly - just a bit of clutch drag. Logically it will speed up if you give it a rev. Same thing when turned of on the stand in gear - just a bit of drag. Pop it in neutral and that resistance will be gone.

Did you buy the bike from a shop? Had it been serviced - fresh oil?

If you don't know give it a oil and filter change - pop in a decent semi-synthetic oil as fresh oil can make a difference to shifting (try Motul 5100). Me I like the full synthetics but you'll shit yourself at the price.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try that as it probably needs one anyway.

[FJRider]

If a bike has been sitting for long periods ... the metal and fibre clutch plates can stick together.