2nd Gear or Neutral?

Ok, so a couple of times, I've shifted into second, and I've not hit it hard enough and I'm in neutral... Ok no biggy, my fault, new rider and all.

On the other hand, there are times that I shift into second, and get back on the throttle and the bike starts to pull. I am clearly not in neutral. Then after an instant or two, it shifts back into neutral. Is it the same issue? Have I just not shifted firmly enough into second? Am I getting back into the throttle too quickly?

Sorry this may be a really stupid question, but I'm new to this whole riding thing, and I'm sure you guys know.

Thanks.

 

I have done the same, and I do believe it's just not solid into 2nd. You can try checking where your shifter peg is on the output shaft. You can move it up or down so your foot's 'throw' is more, and easier.

 

See if you h ave a "Pedal Height Adjuster" and adjust the Height to make sure you are getting a complete throw.

Missing a shift happens to us all. We do it.

Having the Bike BE in 2nd and "Pop-Out" ... ain't good!
You might be experiencing "Worn-out Gear Drive Dogs"
The edges of the Drive Dogs on your 2nd Gear are rounded-off instead of sharp and flat.

This causes the Drive Gear that engages your 2nd Gear to NOT engage the Gear and Drive it ... Rather, the Dogs slide off and you lose being in Gear.
Forcing the Shift Lever does NOT help.
Extreme pressure on the Shift Lever only make matters worse.

In some cases the Gear can be restored.

 

most likely, it's just like doug said. i've done it myself. next time it happens, think about where your foot is. is your foot holding the shift lever up still while you're accelerating? then do you let your foot fall away from the lever and it slips out? if so, you just weren't full in second gear. try adjusting the lever down a little so you can push it up firmly to the end of the throw.

there is the possibility that the gears are slipping out of gear as well. the gear dogs are undercut so that they sort of pull themselves into each other when engaged. if these dogs are worn down, there's not much force holding them in place and they can slip out.

 

looks like rick just beat me to it once again. lol.