Guys, I was riding my new AC (80 miles on it total) for about 20 minutes back in the woods when while at a sit still it died. Ok, no big deal, I will just restart it. Well, it would not go into nuetral. I tried and tried and nothing. It was only after I shook it that it found neutral. Is there something wrong with my linkage or is this a typical issue I will just need to get use to?

"shook it"??? ( I have this picture of you lifting it in the air ) If you mean rocked it back and forth slightly to allow for shifts when stopped yes that's normal.

Ya that always happens just rock it backwards and forewards and shift down, its perfectly normal, happens to every manual sometimes.

Does the 2000 manual not start in gear? My 2000 auto does, you just have to squeez the brake and hit the button. If the manual doesn't i'm sure there is a way around it... Can anyone help him here?

That's right, it should start in gear. Just depress the brake lever and hit the starter button and it should start in gear. I believe 2000 is the first year for this feature, my manual trans has it anyway.