Shifter/Throttle Control Handle really stiff when taking off

[TheMirror]

2013 RZ2, my Shifter/Throttle Control Handle appears really tight/stiff when I leave the dock, sometimes it almost feels stuck. After a few minutes of operation it sorta loosens up but remains a little stiff. It's even sorta hard to feel that 'click' to neutral sometimes. Took it to the dealer and both times they tried it they didn't seem to think it was problematic - but I am convinced it's not normal, neither are a few other Tigé owners on my lake.

Lookin' for a little bit of Tigeowners' wisdom on this one....

[montanafarmer]

I also have a "13 RZ2 and had a similar problem earlier this summer. Not sure if it is the same thing, but I can tell you how to diagnose what I had and see if it applies. When going forward, the handle was extremely hard to push. However, I found that when going backwards, it was loose. Also, when I pushed the center button on the handle and disengaged the transmission, just the throttle was loose and normal. To diagnose, I then lifted the floor and had my wife work the shifter handle while I looked at the attachment point of the cable to the transmission. I found that a connection block of the main wire harness above the transmission had shifted down and was being pinched by the transmission engagement arm. The connection block had marks on it where it had been pinched several times. A zip tie to lift the harness back up to the main harness solved all my problems. Smooth as can be again. Hope this helps.

[TheMirror]

Taking the boat out this weekend - I'll definitely give your suggestion a try and keep you posted!
ANYBODY ELSE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUE?