Shift to 1st, then gentle upward pressure into N. Make sure you are in 1st when stopping.

Better still hold the clutch in and remain in 1st at the traffic light

 

What twowheels said. Big thumbs up, eh!

 

The way the positive neutral finder works is that you will only be able to shift from 1st to 2nd while you are in motion. When you are stationary, you will not be able to shift into 2nd, it will go into neutral instead.

 

also...if you're rolling too fast it should be a little difficult to drop for 2nd to first

 

With PNF, if you are in 1st you will only be able to find 1st, N and 2nd while stopped, similarly you will only be able to find 3rd and 4th while stopped if in 3rd or 4th but not 1st, N or 2nd or 5th and 6th. You can only shift above or below the two gears you have access to if you you are in motion.

 

Thanks to everyone for all your responses. Still a little puzzled as to why sometimes I can go from 2nd to neutral when coming to a stop and other times I'm evidently going into 1st. If problems persist, I'll change my ways and go to first gear before neutral.

 

This is word for word from the 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650 owner's manual:

NOTE​

• The transmission is equipped with a positive neutral finder. When the motorcycle is standing still, the transmission cannot be shifted past neutral from 1st gear. To use the positive neutral finder, shift down to 1st gear, then lift up on the shift pedal while standing still. The transmission will shift only into neutral.

 

Thanks Green Streak - I need to keep that in mind. But, again, the problem I'm experiencing is hitting neutral while rolling to a stop from 2nd. There's always the chance I've not counted correctly & not in 2nd prior to the try for neutral. In any event, thanks for the note- it should help.

 

What Green Streak says works. I like it! Again.. what a great bike! Does a lot more than I think it can and never leaves me wanting.

 

How embarrassing..................

I just returned from a ride that lasted about an hour and included maybe 8-10 stops. At everyone I was careful to note my gear selection prior to making a 2nd to neutral shift & succeeded in getting everyone right. So, as nearly as I can tell, old Jim was forgetting the V is a 6 speed, likely counted as if it was only a 5 & thinking the shift from 3rd to 2nd was a 2nd to neutral. Next time out, just for grins, I'll try the 1st to neutral shift & see what that's like.

 

I love having my gear indicator on the dash...

Finding N from 2 is easy. Just half downshift till you see the green indicator light up. Do it enough times, and you dont need the indicator to tell you anymore.

 

It's kind of interesting; now that I've discovered the problem w/ my counting down for a 5-speed & things are working properly, even when I'm not looking for it - the neutral light is bright enough to see in my peripheral vision.