Moving my RX8's gear stick between 1st and 2nd is not smooth and requires some force, is this typical or the exception?

Welcome to the board allenm. The problem your experiencing has been discussed in some detail, try the search button. ;)

Much appreciated, but I've tried searching under "gearchange" and couldn't find the discussion about the problem I'm having, could you help with a reference to the dissusion you refer to?

Here's a few to get you started. I searched with the terms: "2nd", "gear"

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11693&highlight=2nd+gear+change

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22373&highlight=2nd+gear

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18775&highlight=2nd+gear

Not really relevant to what you need, but you may have wondered about the "thud" noise you hear in 1rst-3rd..



http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10266&highlight=2nd+gear

Searching for just "second" and "gear" will give you alot of results...be sure to flip through the additional pages to find older threads on the subject.

Many thanks.

No problem, just be warned that you'll be addicted to the board in no time. :D