FairImogen Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 Have been riding motorcycles for longer than I care to remember. Can ‘slick shift’ up and down without a second though, regardless of revs, hardly use clutch at all. Some of my pals swear that they only use clutch when pulling away, then dispense of it altogether. I reckon they I’ll wreck their machines, and don’t think one can ride well/fast/safely without ‘mechanical sympathy’. Can anyone convince me otherwise? Ride Safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 Modern machines are easier to change gear without the clutch, but if you don't use the clutch, you are putting extra wear on the gear dogs. I have had many road bikes and always used the clutch, but we have had many, many motocross bikes and my lads thought I was pulling their leg about using the clutch - aside from setting off. I have seen the inside of gearboxes where clutch use has been minimal - worn gears - let alone the extra pressure on the transmission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeon Shredder. Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 Nope, clutch was put there for a purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 On our racebikes we always carried out clutchless upshifts, but that’s because they are fitted with quickshifters that momentarily cut the spark which takes the load from the transmission. Some of the latest such as R1M etc can now do clutchless downshifts too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBeaky Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 It's quite feasible to do clutchless gear changes on a modern bike, as long as a certain amount of mechanical sympathy is employed. Excessive wear will, of course, occur if the rider is brutal. I once had occasion to travel from Hayward's Heath to Tunbridge Wells without using the clutch, on a R1100GS (shaft-drive!), so it is possible. (My clutch cable was on the way out, and I was trying to get to the dealer in TW to buy the only one available within a 50 mile radius... ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 It will put more forces on the gear selector forks, drums and bearings. Rekluse clutches are now used quite a bit for enduro type stuff,it's a bit like an auto and works centrifugal forces,I removed mine as I'd rather pull the clutch in to down shift than sacrifice my engine braking. I do up shift with no clutch,but I come off the throttle a little and back on,and definitely use it to find neutral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairImogen Posted November 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 Whilst modern machines have quickshifters and even DCT transmission (ie no clutch required) I was thinking of those who advocate such shifting motorcycles that don’t have such tech (like my Firestorm). I guess I think that if it has a clutch one should use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 Rarely used the clutch on my GSXR apart from pulling away and maybe 2-3rd - if you drop the revs then are gentle with your foot then the gear just slips in-takes a millisecond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longman Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 I only use the clutch on my bandit 12 turbo when pulling away I've had the bike 16 years and never replaced the gearbox had an issue with the clutch on the Dyno but it is putting out 250bhp at the back wheel?. But I do use the clutch for down shifts.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me matt Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 (edited) 45 minutes ago, Longman said: I only use the clutch on my bandit 12 turbo on the Dyno but it is putting out 250bhp at the back wheel. I'd like to see some pictures of that ? As already mentioned - a quickshifter is the way forward. Edited November 25, 2017 by Me matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newbie to this Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 I always up shifted without clutch on my motor cross bike but used the clutch to go down. You lost too much power using a clutch just let off the throttle knock it up and back on the power Road bike I'd have no clue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longman Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 17 hours ago, Me matt said: I'd like to see some pictures of that ? As already mentioned - a quickshifter is the way forward. I'll try and get some pics up for you Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longman Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 Changed the colour just recently and also put a set of RSV Millie 5 spoke brembo wheels in her.. Pics from the Guinness world fastest wheelie comp.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longman Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 Pics from the Guinness world fastest wheelie comp.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rimfireboy Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 Looks like you’ve got it warmed up nicely. I don’t think you can beat Suzuki’s for toughness and also sweet shifting and strong gear boxes. All the four pot gs and gsx series are mighty strong. The old gs550 eight valve engines were incredibly tough and over engineered. Short of running them without oil, bombproof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 Nice that Longman! I was looking at a busa a few years ago putting a claimed 460hp down. Circumstances changed however and had to leave it. As for shifting, I only use clutch for pulling away, rest is clutchless. If you can take the time to learn to do it properly there won't be any issues with wear in gearboxes. The amount of miles I've racked up on road and off road bikes not once have I had gearbox problems! Check out 'mcgarage' on YouTube, especially the 'truth about clutchless shifting' should someone a bit more to think about On 25/11/2017 at 17:59, Albert 888 said: It will put more forces on the gear selector forks, drums and bearings. Rekluse clutches are now used quite a bit for enduro type stuff,it's a bit like an auto and works centrifugal forces,I removed mine as I'd rather pull the clutch in to down shift than sacrifice my engine braking. I do up shift with no clutch,but I come off the throttle a little and back on,and definitely use it to find neutral. If I remember rightly the reason they started using them was to stop stalling on hill climbs and through bogs when you can't kick it back up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted November 26, 2017 Report Share Posted November 26, 2017 Is clutchless shifting more likely to be employed by those out to thrash about on their bikes? So any wear on the box is insignificant as the engine is hammered anyway? (That was a question rather than an accusation) I rarely use the clutch in my cars and folk like to tell me I will ruin the gearbox. Hasn't happened yet and my cars tend to die of unrelated illnesses (rust) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendrix's rifle Posted November 27, 2017 Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 1 hour ago, 39TDS said: Is clutchless shifting more likely to be employed by those out to thrash about on their bikes? So any wear on the box is insignificant as the engine is hammered anyway? (That was a question rather than an accusation) I rarely use the clutch in my cars and folk like to tell me I will ruin the gearbox. Hasn't happened yet and my cars tend to die of unrelated illnesses (rust) Not really no, don't get me wrong I do thrash mine every now and then but the clutch part is just how I learnt to ride when I first started off road. Quicker gear changes in the dirt and I find doesn't unsettle the bike a great deal. On the road it makes it a lot smoother and less to concentrate on Just my take on it anyhow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me matt Posted November 27, 2017 Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 14 hours ago, Longman said: Pics from the Guinness world fastest wheelie comp.. Very nice, love the front and rear ends. Thanks for putting the pictures up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopylui Posted November 27, 2017 Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 I didnt know it was a thing untill after my xr unwilling changed hands. These days i dont even have a clutch lever to pull :( just the old twist and go action... slow and steady eh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sussexboy Posted December 3, 2017 Report Share Posted December 3, 2017 Got used to it on my old bonneville T140, whenever those clutch needle bearings mushroomed again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Callahan Posted December 3, 2017 Report Share Posted December 3, 2017 I am no biker... but I have grown up on farm quads. Not 1 has ever had a clutch lever, but all are manual (sometimes referred to as semi-automatic). Why do road bikes need manual clutches? Surely if Honda and co. can put the technology onto farm bikes then it is there to be utilised by road bikes too? Or am I missing something?... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted December 4, 2017 Report Share Posted December 4, 2017 If just pootling along i rarely use the clutch once going but struggle to get clutchless shifting to feel like i am not abusing the thing if riding hard (this bike much more than my last one). I have never got the hang on clutchless changes in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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