hi m8
welcom to the wonderful world of xjr's
i have one a 1300 sp year 2002 and find the gear change no problem at all.
if i was you i would join the owners club, it has all the help you will ever need for your xjr, the site is down at the mo, but once up ask sharky for any of your xjr needs ok
here's the link below, don't forget it's down at mo, should be up soon i hope.
http://www.yamahaxjrownersclub.com/mx/index.php