250-500cc My WR250 likes to stall with the clutch in

I find if I'm riding technical stuff and pull in the clutch all the way, a lot of times it will have a tendency to slowly stall. I turned up the idle but when it's in gear with the clutch in it doesn't seem to be much higher. If I rev the motor the bike doesn't go anywhere, so it's not dragging, but it seems to be enough friction to make it want to stall. I've been running 10W40 conventional motorcycle oil in the gearbox. I tried Rotella when I first got it and it made the clutch drag ten times worse. Should I try changing oils or is there an adjustment that will help?

I had a similar problem with my GasGas but maybe not as bad. I switched from Rotella to O'Reilly brand ATF+4 which is a full synthetic trans fluid (about a 20w oil according to O'Reilly's website) and it helped quite a bit. The only bad I have heard of using ATF is in extreme heat desert racing with long term wide open throttle situations and the ATF mentioned was not +4 but rather regular ATF. At less than $4 a quart ATF+4 is worth a try. If I was racing in the desert conditions mentioned I would use 80w Gear Saver.

As the clutch heats up ya loose lever. After a long sliiiip up a hill or something ya usualy got zero lever left and even when pulled all the way in the bike still chugs along.

I try to remember to flick the star-wheel on the perch a few times before the tight stuff then flick it back (if) when it opens up. That's what them things is there for and it's awesome Husky put them there, saves a lot of stalls on mid-hill saves etc. etc. when yer gassed, yer goggles are fogged, arms are pumped and ya need a do-over.

My '08 WR250 had a similar issue. I switched to Valvoline "4-Stroke" Synthetic 10w40 (not automotive oil) and it fixed the problem. I found it at Wal-Mart for about $6.00 a quart.

Take the clutch cover off and adjust your cable there if you are starting to run out of adjustments on the lever...plus it's a good time to inspect your friction plates or for binding.

OR

You could install a rekluse auto clutch

I had a look at the clutch not too long ago when I had to fix the issue shifting into second (it was a loose piece in the shift mechanism, and a couple other people have had the same problem). The clutch and plates still look brand new. Being that the problem was affected by the Rotella I am thinking I will try to find that Valvoline oil at Wally World. It's not such a bad problem, and it only affects me when riding really slow, technical stuff, but when it happens, it sure is annoying.

Ford ATF cured mine

Try to see if you can play with the pushrod .. it fix a part of my problem ..

I switched oils to a semi synthetic, and it seems to have cured the problem. I bet if I go full syn it will be even better.

Does this help with not starting in gear for dead engine starts?

I agree with adjusting the push rod or cable adj.

You need to set your push rod so that there is just a touch of play in it before it contacts the pressure plate and adjust your cable so there is almost no free play in it at the lever. If you search you can find a thread where I went through this procedure.

I finally got a MOTION PRO custom made cable for my bike, like several on here have talked about, and it's WAY better than the stock or MP's standard cable. Pull is smooth and there is little to no draw up in the housing, so all the movement translates to disengagement.

Very good stuff.

I installed a Motion Pro Terminator yesterday. It definitely works better than the stocker, but it seems to require a little more effort for some reason.

I bought a Terminator cable figuring I'd keep my stock used cable for a spare and I could not see nor feel any difference. I bought my bike new in the crate so it made me wonder if some of the stock cables are better than others. Oh well, I have a spare now and that pretty much guarantees I won't need it.... unless I leave it at home.

Did you lube it before you installed it? They are dry in the package.

Nope, I ASSuMEd it would of came lubed. I'll lube it and see if that makes a difference. Thanks.

Juice it up and I'll bet it feels better. I use Royal Purples multi purpose lube on mine and it feels really smooth.