| Author | Message | ||
     Dwolk |
I'm curious if up-shifting---on the street, at speed or not, on twisties or not---without using the clutch is common in this community? It certainly can be faster and I've heard it is not harder on the transmission. I've always liked the tempo of using the clutch...but I do both. | ||
| Dtx |
I baby mine...and always use the clutch. I hear some people don't. | ||
| Dtx |
Is it true if it doesn't grind, then no damage is being done? | ||
| Dagwood |
...ummm... Use the clutch...that is what it's there for. | ||
| Wahmbush |
...ummm... getting the right rpm's and it will shift into gear no prob....w/o clutch... | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Its true if you have it at the right RPM it will shift right into gear. You can do this with any manual transmission. I've never tried with my 'Bolt though. | ||
| Hobanbrothers |
I would recommend you use your clutch, with the caged transmission there is the possibility of too much happening and getting costly. I have seen the difference between both shifting techniques and it just is not worth it in my opinion. With an 06' maybe, but I would not want to be the first one to find out... | ||
| Hanses25 |
The only reason you need a clutch is when you start or stop the bike, once you are going you can shift without the clutch. | ||
| Perry |
Its true if you have it at the right RPM it will shift right into gear. You can do this with any manual transmission. In most manual transmissions (like a car) you pull it out of one gear first, then match the RPMs and it slides into the new gear. In a motorcycle it is a single action to change into another gear, there is no "out first, then in". So, other than where neutral is between first and second, you cannot match the RPMs because you are instantly switching from one gear to another without changing RPM. I have upshifted without clutch a couple times, and it is possible and doesn't grind, but it yanks pretty hard on the drivetrain. I suspect that doing that consistently would put undue wear and tear on the drivetrain (transmission, belt, etc) and would cause problems. That's why they invented the clutch and put one on the Buell  (Message edited by perry on October 14, 2005) | ||
| Wahmbush |
When I ride my bike I do clutchless and clutch shifts...depends on the mood. Perry, true, at some times a shift can be hard, but that is because the rpms are close enough to shift, but not close enough to be smooth. Play around with it and you will understand what I am saying...usualy the lower the rpms the easier it is to clutchless w/o yankin. As for the out first then in, have you ever been in a big rig? Can you imagine how much work that trucker would have to do to use the clutch to shift 10-18 gears? They don't take it out of gear, rev, and then put in. You rev in gear to above the shift point, take it out of gear and head twards next gear. When you shif the rpms fall a bit and by the time the shifter is there to pop into gear the rpms have fallen to "equal" and it slides right in. I understand that what you say about no neutral, but when on my bike I swear to you that the rpms fall when you let off of gas a bit, kick shifter and twist back on. Even can do it with downshift. What ever speed your going crack the gas a bit and kick the lever...it matches up and shifts.... (Message edited by wahmbush on October 14, 2005) | ||
| Bake |
I don't mind banging the gears on my dirtbikes, infact I just use the clutch for starting and stoping mainly. But not on my Streetbikes! | ||
| Jackbequick |
Transmissions on trucks and bikes are very different. Trucks have sliding gears that are moved to engage other gears. Bikes have gears in constant mesh and use sliding dogs to select the drive path. The dogs are square cut notches that slide into engagement. If you shift without using the clutch, you're sliding the notches in and out of engagement under load. That can damage the dogs so I always use the clutch. My M2 upshifts best with quick partial clutch pulls (lever only pulled about half way, not to touching the grip). When I do that, I roll off the throttle just a little to unload the dogs and back on. It works best when accelerating briskly and really quiets down the 1st to 2nd shift. Jack | ||
| Vonsliek |
fack it .. put in an electronic quick-shifter, reverse pattern w/ back-torquing clutch, & while u r at it .. sell it & get a wsb spec gsx-r1000!! >  | ||
| Buellin_ri |
I agree with Blake on this one. Used to do clutchless shift on my dirt bikes but I was constantly taking those apart every year for rings and what-not. My street bikes are a little more valuable to me, I usually don't drop my buell down 50ft steep inclines full of rocks.  | ||
| Brupska |
I have tried shifting with out the clutch on my 9S and my new 12R at track days. It was not a easy thing to do while trying to ride fast. It seems that the big crankshaft in out Vtwins has a lot of force while spinning at 5000 plus rpm's. My 12R did shift without the clutch but it was not a smooth shift. When it went into 4th from 3rd the bike would jump almost. So I just kept on using the clutch. It was smoother and faster that way. Now Jap I4 bikes have a smooth upshift with out the clutch. Our Vtwins are different animals. I would say use the clutch. I do. | ||
| Cmm213 |
We are not riding non synchro trucks here, yea I shift all day long without using the clutch in my freightliner. But I use the clutch every time on my buell. | ||
| Roly |
quite often change up with no clutch,starting off and stopping always use, but when on a move i don't bother, changing down , revs got to be matched well,so normally use clutch on down shifts.don't like crunching sound. | ||
| Diablobrian |
while it is possible to change gears without the clutch. there is really no reason not to use the clutch on the street. (unless you have an electronic set up like I do that kills the ignition to unload the tranny before it shifts)  If the clutch is too stiff, you need to ride more  , or get one of the easier pull ball ramp assemblies for your clutch. I understand the desire to cut the corner, however the potential for damage is huge. Just do the standard risk Versus reward analysis. What do you get out of shifting without the clutch? Versus what do you risk? (how much damage can result) | ||
| Dwolk |
Good conversation and thanks for everyone's input. Found a link that goes into some detail about these questions, although the example is with a Honda motorcycle transmission; still it seems useful in general...I found it pretty interesting. http://www.vf750fd.com/blurbs/shifting.html |
