'Clutchless' Changes

[Dave]

Anyone else do this

I'm told that it won't do the engine any harm, but it can save the clutch alot.
I don't do it changing down, or with pillion, but I Can get a well quick change without the clutch

What's your opinion on this

[Jak]

I do it quite often ... makes changes much quicker and as I've only got little hands it makes my life easier too

[DynaMight]

I do sometimes but 99% of the time I forget and use the clutch

[clunk]

I usually do it on up changes, especially if i'm getting a move on.

Never on down changes as my SV tends to lock the back wheel at medium/high revs even when using the clutch, unless you blip it when you pull the clutch in.

It doesn't do any harm on up changes , but I 've always read never to do it on down changes.

[Griff]

Always on the upshift, NEVER on the down

[age]

I never use clutch on up shift but do on the down shift when you can bang it down two or more gears and slip the clutch back in

[greg]

I use up the box, never down. Particularly good when carrying pillion, kick up at peak torque, keeps it much smoother than using clutch. Of course Dave as you ride a Suzuki you would be best snicking it up, as a Triumph rider I find brutality works best.

[greg]

I

use up the box, never down

. Particularly good when carrying pillion, kick up at peak torque, keeps it much smoother than using clutch. Of course Dave as you ride a Suzuki you would be best snicking it up, as a Triumph rider I find brutality works best.

What I really meant was I don't use up the box, down I do.

[CRAIG-GSXR750]

personally i use the clutch as i go by the assumption of, If its gonna F- UP its allot cheaper to replace a clutch than it is to replace a gearbox

[Jewell]

use it all the time....

[Claud 14.7 to 1]

Oh Dave in reaction to your first post.

I'd rather replace a clutch than a gearbox.

I use clutch-less if i'm going hard on th power through the gears, etc. If im riding sencibly I use clutch all of the time, both up and down. No point in doing clutch less inmy, you dont need to be fast and you will be putting the box through unnecessary strain IMO.

[ZXR400Lee]

Kawsaki gearboxs are horrible and clunky...I tend to use the clutch all the time, unless I want to get off the start quick against other bikes, friends on there 400's...all other bikes bigger just leave me on acceleration anyway..

[Jay]

I always use the clutch...

as i have never tried it with out it....

But i will have a go later on the up shifts:)

Jay

[andrew]

In the end this comes down to personal taste but from what i've read in the past doing clutchless UP gearchanges should cause no short or long term damage to the bike as long as its done right. Clutchless gear changes should be done on a neutral throttle - i.e. when the engine is under any great load (either from decelerating or accelerating).

Down gear changes should be done using the clutch as i believe otherwise u can damage the gearbox - but more importantly without uing the clutch u are at greater risk of locking up the back wheel and as age says u won't be able to change down as quickly if u don't use the clutch.

Personally i do clutchless up changes 99% of the time and always use the clutch for down changes (unless i feel really lazy)

andrew

[GeorgiasGrandad]

Done clutchless changes for 45 years, bikes, trucks, buses and cars. Never done any harm.