1995 Yamaha Big Bear idle issue? Or clutch?

[Richard1234]

I picked up a Big Bear 350 and took it out for my initial drive.  Runs good but noticed that sitting in neutral the rpm would slowly increase so that shifting into gear produced a strong jerk forward, and then revs would stay down.  It seemed worse as it warmed up.  Happened every time I let it sit a while idling in neutral.  (It also seemed to make reverse hard to engage.) 

Is this typical, or is it a carb issue, or is it a clutch adjustment issue?  Any advice appreciated. 

[Ajmboy]

 I would check your choke operation and idle screw. Sounds like idle is too high at operating temp.

[Richard1234]

Thanks, definitely it surges to high an rpm for sure, but it has a nice relaxed idle in gear.  I expect if I lower it much it will stall out in gear, but I will try it out and see.

[frostydeisel]

it sounds like a carb issue. Clean it really good and make sure to clean the jets with a fine wire like out of an old brake cable. and check the fuel. make sure it isnt bad and make sure it flows out of the petcock. i am on my second big bear and it will run forever if properly maintained. And i traded the first one for a camper trailer when i was homeless that was worth triple what i paid for the quad. I missed it and when the opportunity arose to get the current one i jumped on it as fast as i could

oh yeah check and clean the spark plug as well. and let us know what it looks like. For example is it gray and dry or black and wet or clean as a whistle or wet and clean. these are just a few examples of the description you can give.

[Richard1234]

Rode it around this weekend and the problem was gone.  Maybe it just needed some gas processed through it.

Fingers crossed.