I am trying to read everything I can about track days before I go to my first one in a month or so. My wife got me a copy of Twist of the Wrist which I just started reading. I read in a magazine that a lot of people shift their bikes without the clutch. I tried this a couple times today and it shifts very easily with a simple throttle off shift. Is the wear this saves on the clutch worth it? Does it shorten the life of the trans at all?
Shifting without the clutch?
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I have read about this a decent bit also, and always wanted to possibly give it a try but was too worried I might make an error. I do not know if it is a significant clutch wear saver so hopefully someone else can answer that for you. But most people still use the clutch to downshift I hear......
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I almost never use the clutch for upshifting. I've been doing it with my jeeps for years too.
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You have to be able to take the load off of the clutch while getting off the gas and shifting...I used to do it on my dirt bikes but never on a street bike...
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I will shift without the clutch if i am accelerating hard. The bikes are made to do it. The only time i will use the clutch is if im city riding, or just cruisng and not revving it high.
It takes less time to shift without the clutch. It's easy to do to. Just put a lil upwards pressure on the clutch lever while on the throttle, then just left off the throttle and it will go right into the next gear. I learned it that way untill i got used to it. You don't need to let off the throttle completley, just a bit will be enough then get right back on it. Real smooth when done right.
It takes less time to shift without the clutch. It's easy to do to. Just put a lil upwards pressure on the clutch lever while on the throttle, then just left off the throttle and it will go right into the next gear. I learned it that way untill i got used to it. You don't need to let off the throttle completley, just a bit will be enough then get right back on it. Real smooth when done right.
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ya!! exactly what inky said...
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My Yamaha upshifts fairly easily at 5500 rpms. Ive never tried it at anything higher. I just dont want to be going WOT and get a big 'ole grind in my gears. Personally I would rather just replace a clutch for less than $100 than possibly replace a transmission.
Clutches are meant to take abuse. Thats why they are inexpensive and easy to replace.
Clutches are meant to take abuse. Thats why they are inexpensive and easy to replace.
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i could say with a decent amount of certainty that clutchless upshifting when done right it doesnt hurt the clutch. the transmissions on these bikes are a constant mesh unlike most cars. i clutchless shifted all the time on my R6 and never had a problem with the tranny cept a broke detent spring i changed, but thats an unrelated problem.
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Do it every time I ride. I think it rounds off the gears a little because it goes smoother now but it has never slipped. I have a bad left wrist so it helps a lot.
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Well, since you arent using a clutch, it doesnt really hurt it, other than the shock load from shifting. Its the tranny thats my concern. es they are constant mesh, but they still can grind.
I just prefer using the clutch.
I just prefer using the clutch.
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Do It Do It Do It.......and Dont Worry Be Happy
I read a really long article on shifting a motorcycle. The bottom line was that the tranny needs to be unloaded to shift. You can do that by rolling off the throttle quickly or by using the clutch. However, just because you use the clutch doesn't mean that your tranny is safe. For example, ride hard in 2nd gear, pull in the clutch, wait 2-3 seconds then shift. Chances are the tranny will make a loud noise and the shift won't be smooth at all. Using the clutch properly to shift unloads the tranny, so does backing off the throttle.
If you really like clutchless upshifting, you can get these devices that cut the spark to the engine for a split second when you upshift. These let you keep the throttle WFO and still safely upshift.
If you really like clutchless upshifting, you can get these devices that cut the spark to the engine for a split second when you upshift. These let you keep the throttle WFO and still safely upshift.
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I never use the clutch for upshift, only for downshifts, try it and you'll notice it's a lot better, I don't think there should be any clutching at 11-12K RPM....uh oh.
Jgard how the hell can you shift faster with the clutch than without? I'd like to see that, especially when racing.
Jgard how the hell can you shift faster with the clutch than without? I'd like to see that, especially when racing.
I dunno. I've gotten pretty fast with it over the years, as I'm sure everyong else here has. I mean, when you are shiftng really fast by just bliping off the throttle and taking in the clutch just enough to disengage, it doesn't get a whole lot faster then that.
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