| Author | Message | ||
     Griffmeister |
I was reading in a book the other day (first mistake) where it said that upshifts on bikes without using the clutch was more gentle on the bike than using the clutch. The idea is to preload the shifter with your toe and complete the shift by momentarily cutting the throttle. I guess I can understand that if the clutch is always engaged then you avoid any wear and tear on that part. Maybe I'm not thinking this through right, but if you preload the shifter wouldn't that side load the forks and increase wear? Wish I had a cutaway model to see how this works. | ||
| Teeps |
I would not recommend it for casual riding. Racing... another story. You are correct about extra wear on shift forks when using the preload method. Not a Buell but operation is the same. | ||
| Froggy |
While it can be done on a XB, I don't really recommend it, too many slow moving heavy clunky parts. Clutchless shifting is stupidly easy on the 1125s, especially with its slipper clutch. Remember, a clutch can be replaced without splitting cases, if you frak something in the transmission, that is not always cheap or easy to fix. | ||
| Fast1075 |
My XB HATED clutchless shifting. Personally I wouldn't do it, even with a high quality back cut transmission. Too risky considering what a pita it is to work on an XB transmission. | ||
| Sifo |
My '06 does it very nicely. Still not sure if it's a good thing long term though. I tend to preload the shift lever whether I use the clutch or not so it really won't effect my shift fork wear. Aside from that, it seems like it would be much like the quick shifters that are being put on a lot of stock bikes these days. I do agree with Fast1075 about the risk of damage and the work to get the trans apart. | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
I'm pretty sure my owners manual says NOT to do that. | ||
| Griffmeister |
Believe me I know about fixing the transmission. Froggy followed me over halfway home from Lake George last year to be sure I could make it. Turned out third gear, sliding dog and fork were shot. Spent mucho bucks and time tearing it down and fixing everything. Did have it all magnafluxed, back cut and blasted so it's better than new. I did take the bike out Sunday and tried a couple of shifts. Seemed smooth enough and very fast, but I don't like the idea of using a preload on a regular basis. I'll probably stick with the clutch unless there's something I really need to get away from. | ||
| 1_mike |
On one hand, IF done correctly, it doesn't hurt the mechanical parts. But as Froggy states, because the flywheel/crank shaft is so heavy, it jerks the drive belt pretty hard. I still do it on my XB12 from 4th to 5th much of the time, but it's hard not to do it all the time because I do it on all of my other bikes. In 35+,000 miles, it hasn't hurt anything, but I try NOT to do it in the lower gears. Mike | ||
| Reeftonbuell |
If the book you are reading is the one im thinking of the latest edition ha a forward by Buell himself doesnt it ? | ||
| Griffmeister |
Ha, don't know about latest addition but it was in Lee Parks' book Total Control where I saw it mentioned. It's funny that in talking about this method of shifting he specifically mentions Buell and HD as not being very compatible with this method on a stock transmission. I asked because I had my transmission recut so it's not stock anymore. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Not for a Buell, and not for the road. Use the clutch. | ||
| Sifo |
Lee Parks' Total Control is a great book, and I remember the mention of Buell. I'm also aware that this was written before Buell updated the transmission in '06. Exactly what this means for clutchless shifting an '06 and up Buell, I'm not sure. I've not ridden a bike with the old transmission either. The only thing I'm really sure of is that you are safe to use the clutch.  | ||
| Griffmeister |
"The only thing I'm really sure of is that you are safe to use the clutch." I love it. Eating three meals a day and getting eight hours of sleep won't kill you either, I think. | ||
| Griffmeister |
They updated the tranny in '06? Since I have an '08 I'd say the update made it worse. I'm not bitter or anything. | ||
| Froggy |
I've ridden bikes with the older transmission, trust me, they make the new bikes feel like single speed electric bikes! | ||
| Sifo |
Mine is actually fairly good. Not as good as most, but pretty decent. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Given what a major PITA it is to get into the trans, I say NO!!! Doing an XB right now with bad shift fork, he was hit and went down on shifter side. Even worse was we had just recently done a 1250 kit so all those new gaskets and such-- do it again! | ||
| New12r |
I clutch less shift up and down as much as possible, 55k on the clock and no Trans issues. Last bike now has over 80k and still running and shifting Rode that one just as hard and totalled it before selling the motor. |
