Breeze just gave me this idea....
I'm still under 10 hours on my SP400. I am noticing that it can be quite hard at times to shift the machine...mostly from Park to whatever but sometimes even between H & L or R. Is this a linkage adjustment issue or an internal issue? I saw somewhere on here that somebody just plain busted their shifter and I don't want to be doing that! Any thoughts?

 

You might have shot your oil during the break in period and it is time to change it, The engine oil also effects your shifting, also check your linkage to it sounds like this is more a linkage problem. I have never heard of this happening before on a sportsman,

 

As you said its still under 10 hours. it could just be new and not completly broken in, mine was a little hard to shift when it was new. now i have lots of miles and its alot better. also if you push in your foot brake when shifting it helps somewhat.

 

Out of habit, I always seem to have my foot on the brake pedal regardless of the gear I'm shifting from or to. It generally just takes a "pop" to get it out of Park. If you try and be real gentle with it it seems like it would NEVER come out of that gear

 

Also could be that your belt is out of alignment. You may want to take of your cover, and watch it while its idling in neautral and make sure your belt isn't spinning. if it is, then make sure your idle is in the 900-1050 range. If its still spinning, then you may need to shim the secondary out some. Of course if its not, then it may just be a simple linkage adjustment.

 

Slow the idle down a hair and if that dont help check the adjustment.If it is in adjustment your shifter could be out of oil .