Changing Gears ....

daxo · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Karma :

I was just wondering in you can change gears without pressing the clutch...I saw a video on youtube that says that wouldnt damage the bike, is it true?

I'm new in geared bikes and its kinda long to go from 1st to 2nd when you want to leave the traffic light quick.

and before I mess up my bike I would like know the true (after all its a 125cc and I know It cant be that quick )

weasley · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :

Short answer - yes you can.

Long answer - yes you can but you have to be aware of how it all works to make sure you do it right so you won't do any damage. When you pull the clutch you are releasing any driven torque through the gearbox, thus allowing you to make a shift. You can replicate this by simply easing off the throttle - if you are on a neutral throttle then there is no drive torque going through the gearbox and you can make the shift. The issue becomes that when you engage the next gear your engine revs and road speed no longer match, so you have to either be brutal or be sympathetic and let the engine revs drop a little to be kind (assuming changing up).

I commonly shift without the clutch, either when I'm in lazy, low speed touring mode, or when in full-on acceleration mode. In lazy mode I'll sometimes down-shift without the clutch too.

Having said that, I tend not to do 1st to 2nd clutchlessly as it's quite a clunk with the Yamaha and you have to go through neutral so can mess it up easily.
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Glenben92 · Nearly there... Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Karma :

As above, it's doable and shouldn't cause damage in most circumstances, but it's not adviseable from 1st to 2nd
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Louise · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 May 2006 Karma :

have done before.
Up a gear, but never down for me.
Smile

Sam_Y_93 · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Karma :

Up shifts are ok, and if done correctly wont damage the bike. Down shifts supposedly damage the gearbox so wouldn't do that. Also wouldn't clutchless shift between first and second as you go through neutral so might be clunky.
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pinkyfloyd · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Karma :

As everyone else has said. Shifting up can be done but down isnt recomended.

But I use a clutch all the time simply for the reason that the bike was supplied one for a reason. Thumbs Up

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gearboxkart · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 27 Jul 2010 Karma :

bike is supplied with 1 so you can pull away and stop without stalling Wink

very very rarely used the clutch on my bikes over 30 odd year, just put a bit of pressure on the gearchange off the gas and in she goes, you will get to the point where your gearchanges are just a matter of off the gas for a split second and powering upto the next change, practice Very Happy

Paxovasa · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Karma :

I have been known to do both up and down clutchless changes, It is only going from neutral into first that you need to use the clutch Thumbs Up

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The Blackbaron · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Karma :

Agreed with all posts,

I've done it a few times though I will not recommend 1 to 2 as it almost threw me off (I have a V twin engine)

But 3 onwards, is quite smooth, and barely any difference between clutching and none... I haven't noticed any damage nor does it feel different.

Either way I think the clutch lever is there for a reason and I think we should use it.

John karner · Banned Joined: 14 Jan 2011 Karma :

The issue becomes that when you engage the next gear your engine revs and road speed no longer match, so you have to either be brutal or be sympathetic and let the engine revs drop a little to be kind (assuming changing up). I commonly shift without the clutch, either when I'm in lazy, low speed touring mode, or when in full-on acceleration mode. In lazy mode I'll sometimes down-shift without the clutch too.

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