Clutchless shifts

jason · Post by **jason** » Sep 3rd, '07, 15:11

I always use the clutch just out of instinct and It just feels the smoothest method, I ride with my fingers on the clutch lever all the time, they are never off it. On a road bike with a decent sensitive and light clutch I cant believe it offers you any quantifiable advantage not using it.

guzzers · Post by **guzzers** » Sep 3rd, '07, 20:18

that is too my instinct.
i have just wondered what the benefits of clutchless shifting.
i have only recently started doing this and the only time it is suitable is on the dual carriageway traveling at 55+mph.
local, restricted, riding has no benefit, clutchless.
riding sensibly around town using clutch is more appropriate.
thanks for the comments guys.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Sep 4th, '07, 06:49

I always use the clutch on the roads..........

However i don't use the clutch on up shifts on the track, as its just easier to bang it up through the box.

Mike Daytona600 · Post by **Mike Daytona600** » Sep 4th, '07, 19:37

I've not long been doing clutchless up shifts and does make it smoohter and quicker when giving it some. I also do it at slow speeds but not always. I was a bit dubious about doing it cos had use the clutch for so many years. Now I wish I did it years ago. Still use the clutch sometimes for ups though, depends how I feel.

Post by **TLS-Moose** » Sep 4th, '07, 19:59

Rarely bother. to be honest .... the risk of missing it slightly on a bike with a notoriously fragile (and expensive

) gearbox isn't worth thinking about .....

To be honest, in (pretty much) any road situation, what benefit does it give (other than increase risk of gearbox damage if it goes wrong) other than make you feel like a racer

That said, (many

) years ago, it was worthwhile because the clutch's of the italian bikes I was riding were so heavy (and fragile), and they snapped cables so regularly, that it saved a lot of grief and wrist ache

Of all the bikes I've had, the old GPz1100 had the slickest gearbox of all, and absolutely loved clutchless changes

deej · Post by **deej** » Sep 4th, '07, 21:19

its also beneficial if carrying a pillion as it saves a lot of lurching movements from the clutch actions

Funky · Post by **Funky** » Sep 4th, '07, 21:56

I've never found that about the pillion. Always thought you have to be going some to do a clutchless shift nice and smoothly. I've never found a clutchless shift smooth when going at pillion pace.

deej · Post by **deej** » Sep 4th, '07, 22:04

just ease of the throttle and click it up, nice and easy and a big plus for the pillion too. think its recommended in most touring sections in mags like ride etc

andy198712 · Post by **andy198712** » Sep 4th, '07, 23:42

i do it most when indicating left, no indicators....

DynaMight · Post by **DynaMight** » Sep 5th, '07, 07:02

I dont bother, even on the track. It feels quick enough to use the clutch. I do it sometimes, usually when some brings the topic up

it works well enough in the higher gears

andy198712 · Post by **andy198712** » Sep 5th, '07, 11:33

oh yh and best not to do it first to second as it quite a jump over the neutraul

Mervin · Post by **Mervin** » Sep 5th, '07, 16:24

I reckon clutchless shifts are ok provided you get the revs right, done it on upchanges on ford tractors with crash boxes (I:E no syncromesh) even, and i have been told that the fuller road ranger crash boxes fitted to trucks are easier to change up without the clutch, mind you you need to double the clutch on down changes