I have had my 1990 dr250 for about 5 months now.

Was running great last time I parked it, and let it sit for a month.
Took it out this week to start riding again, and I have the following shifting problem:

1st gear - Lugs really hard and will kill motor unless I ride the clutch and rev real hard till about 15-20mph.

Difficulty getting into 3rd, often it won't at all.

No 'clunk'/engagement when going from 2 into 1.

Pushing down from 1 does not hit a stop or anything - just feels like shifting to another gear without ever having the shifting 'clunk'

It does shift from 1 - N - 2.


Mine is a 6 speed (my manual says it should be a 5 speed).


What is my likely problem? any ideas before I start tearing it down? I hate to tear it down cause it runs really strong otherwise.