I have an XR drive behind my HP525, it has 160 hrs & gaffrig billet throttles.

My question is it is slow going into forward gear, meaning there is a 3-5 second wait from before it engages after I shift forward.

Going into reverse works great.
Once in gear the system works fine.

Is it the clutch in the upper gearcase going bad or do you think it is the shift cable?

I change the gear oil every 20 & there is no metallic.

Thank you for any insight.

Check your shift cable linkage first.

has your drive ever been rebuilt? merc made several different height cone clutches and if the wrong one was put in, it will do that.

As been said shift cable likely cause. Either adjustment or worn/broken cladding between transom and drive

I notice the same thing on my 2006 Sunsation...525 XR combo......mine have 80 hrs when i buy it .... have you find something ???... i alway's think is normal .....
Keep me posted please

Try adjusting the shift cable move the one in the slot up and the adjust the cable to give you a little more travel in forward if that doesn't fix it then put a new clutch in it.

If i understand well........the cable not move enought ???....how the clutch can engages right ????....can you explain ???
Thank`s to take time to time to respond me

Thanks for the responses guys.
The drive goes into gear fine on the hose, but in the water under the load of the prop it hesitates 5 seconds or so before engaging.
I assume that to replace the cone clutch, it would require to order up a complete upper gearcase package.

Did you check the shift cable cladding between the transom and the drive? The cable pushes into forward gear and if the cladding is worn it becomes difficult or impossible get it into forward gear. If the clutch was worn it would maybe be as difficult to get it into reverse?

Can you keep us posted ....on what you do to fix your problem ???.....i am very concern about this issue....my boat are right know at the entrepot ....and the next spring i will check for that for sure ....
Best Regard`s