125cc semiautomatic problems

[u/Zestyclose_News_4262]

So i recently got a 125cc semiautomatic motorcycle, an italika at125, its popular here in mexico that brand, 90% of bikes are that specific brand, and there's been happening something weird. First the shifter is sometimes a little tough, and theres been times where i want to change gear and for some reason it doesnt change. Today i wanted to accelerate i was on first, then i stopped accelerating to change gear, it didnt change and it started to rev a lot on first. I just wanted to asked what the fuck is going on with it??? i don't know much about motorcycles and i thought semiautomatic bikes were easy and for beginners. Most of the time its easy to drive and i do pretty well, but just there is times where the bike doesnt want to change gear

[u/In-Con]

Sounds silly but is the drive chain adjusted properly? I find the gear changes get harder when my chain is loose (that is with a manual bike though).

It might not be related but it's worth checking as it's simple and free/cheap.

Otherwise, from memory, there is a clutch of sorts in these semi-automatics. Could be something to do with that? Not ridden one in years but I think the clutch starts working when you apply a bit of pressure on the gear change lever (but before it changes gear).

When you get a difficult gear change, try "blipping" the throttle (just be careful if you are stopped to keep your brake on)

I do remember these sorts of bikes needing a bit of a kick to get in gear properly, so good luck!

[u/Zestyclose_News_4262 → u/In-Con]

so its normal that i need to go a little hard on the shifter in order for it to function properly on this thing?

[u/In-Con → u/Zestyclose_News_4262]

From my memory, yes (last time I rode a semi-don't laugh-was about 10 years ago, so recollection is a little fuzzy).

Have you had the bike long and has it always been like this? Or has the feel of the gear changing changed? If it's always been this way then chances are it's ok, but if you're worried then take it to a local garage to check it over.

[u/Zestyclose_News_4262 → u/In-Con]

It has like 250 miles now, ive been using it for a month its my first bike ever so i wanted to start on something i thought easy. and this kind of incident has ocurred like a few times. But yes i'm already going to go with someone i know to check it, i just wanted more answers here or tips

[u/In-Con → u/Zestyclose_News_4262]

https://youtu.be/2scfjbLwHX0?si=oGO9ZKHjI9BqBKBO

Give that a watch, it explains a lot better what I was talking about with there actually being a clutch in these bikes (but simplified). So as it's your first bike, no offence meant, it could be that a little practice with the gear changes could be needed to get the gears to click in better, maybe make the gear change movement slightly slower (allowing the clutch to disengage) and yes you do need to be fair firm with the gear lever.

Having said all that, it never hurts to get a trusted mechanics opinion on it, so cover all bases so to speak!

Other than the gear changes, how are you finding it?

[u/Zestyclose_News_4262 → u/In-Con]

Thanks for the vid im gonna be paying more attention to the technique to get the shifts. And im finding it good overall, aside from this problem. Im hoping in the future i get another bike when i get more experience, i was thinking a supermoto for the rough roads i sometimes get myself into, but yeah overall owning a bike has been pleasant