Thanks for your reply, it made sense. I have done as you suggested and am confident the clutch is correctly adjusted. As the changes in other gears are fine I don't think it's a clutch issue. On the main stand, pulling in the clutch lever while in 1st gear the rear wheel quickly slows to a stop. Getting the chain in spec seems a bit tricky/fiddly but running it tighter certainly reduced the vibes in all gears however hasn't really improved the changes to and from 1st and 2nd. If I knew this was "normal" for an XT then I wouldn't worry about it but in comparison to other bikes I've owned it is rough. Having said that, it doesn't crop up on the forum as a well known issue so maybe its just what it is?!?