My Bayou is having problems in the transmission. I have a really hard time shifting into reverse. Reverse works but I have to jerk the shifter pretty hard. Also, when I shift gears it is ocassionally hard to shift gears, sometimes when shifting up from 3rd to 4th or 4th to 5th it sits in neutral for a second and then shifts into gear, and also when shifting down it won't always shift down. Maybe it needs some more tranny fluid or maybe it needs some work, but I was wondering if anyone had an idea before I put it in the shop. Thanks

this may sound stupid but... have you tried to adjust the clutch on it?

I'm not quite sure how to do that. Could you give me a little more information? Thanks

I do believe that bike is like many other Kawasaki's and has an open tranny. Or in other words, the oil you put in the bike is used for both the transmission (gears) and also used to lubricate engine parts.

When is the last time you changed the oil and filter? If you have to sit down and think about it, it's been too long! It's a cheap potential fix.

I would check the shifter lever as well. It almost sounds like it may be slipping on the knurled shaft coming from the engine. This would cause improper shifting.

If you have the bike in 1st gear then give it full throttle, and you don't feel the clutch slipping (not achieving a full powerful take off) then I would rule the clutch out.

There is a slim possibility the clutch could use an adjustment (I'm not too sure how or if you can even do so) I would check with a dealer.

In response to bayou220atv, I don't believe this particular bike has a manual clutch.

If the lever on the left side of the handlebars is a brake lever then it's a automatic / centrifugal clutch (which cannot be adjusted externally).


Hope this helps.

I’m having the same problems with my Bayou 300. I’ve changed the oil, and filter just last week. When I get a chance I'll check the shop manual to see if it’s possible to adjust the clutch. The Bayou is a great trail machine… when it’s working correctly.

My atv is an automatic clutch. you still have to adjust it. I have a bayou220 so I don't know if you have to adjust the clutch on yours like I do mine. You probably do but i don't know if the clutch adjustment screw is in the same place on the 220 as the 300.

Can you tell me how to adjust the clutch. Thanks

You can adjust the clutch by removing the triangle cover (which is directly below the oil fill). Next, loosen the locking nut. Then turn the adjustment screw clockwise until it becomes hard to turn. Then turn the adjustment screw counter clockwise until it becomes hard to turn. Tighten the locking nut, making sure that the adjustment screw doesn't move (just a screwdriver and a 12mm wrench). Lastly put the cover back on.

My freinds 89 Moto4 used to be very notchy to shift then he put synthetic oil in the bike and it shifts super smooth now.

MikeyM, a service manual, either a Kawasaki one or a Clymer, sounds like a good investment.

You've received good instruction on adjusting the clutch from TG1 in his post above.

Now, whatever happened regarding your plug fouling problem?

Tree Farmer