Changing gear without the clutch

Toccs · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Karma :

So today on my way to work i accidently changed gears without using the clutch, now i always thought it was impossible to do that.

Is it bad for the bike, and should i be doing it?

crackfinder · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Jul 2009 Karma :

Toccs · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

You [WILL/WON'T] shag your gearbox doing this, bikes [ARE/AREN'T] designed for it.

There, that's both sides of the argument out of the way.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

Germ · Trackday Trickster Joined: 13 Aug 2011 Karma :

Regardless of whether it does or doesn't cause damage it's better not to change gear without using your clutch.You'll pick up enough bad habits as it is without adding any unneeded extras Smile

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

On all the bikes I owned aside from the RS.... i've done clutchless up and down after 2nd gear. Still do... on the 750 and 125.

My 125 is very snatchy when doing it though...

crackfinder · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Jul 2009 Karma :

dazzzaa · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 22 Apr 2011 Karma :

if its easy and undamaging to change gears without using the clutch why do they still sit it on your left handle bar?? why not disregard it altogether??
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1988 VFR 750-f,,,,binned on duncton hill. current-1993 vfr 750-f

neil. · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Karma :

Nearly 40'000 miles of doing it (changing up, never down!) half the time on a YBR and never had an issue...

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 01 Jul 2002 Karma :

Slacker24seve... · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Done properly it shouldn't do any damage at all. However probably far easier to make a mess of it than when using the clutch.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Only ever had an issue on the 125 where I knock it down with no clutch and its like 3rd into 2nd... Rev counter would be handy Laughing

But the 750 gets knocked up and down through the gears (aside from down to 1st) and havent had any issues yet Thumbs Up

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

My bandit has a slick gearbox and clutchless changes are no more difficult than loading the lever gently and partial-chopping the throttle momentarily to unload the gears.

My xj1100 would never achieve this though with it's heavy gearbox action.

All depends on the bike. You'll find that there is a 'sweet spot' in the rev range that makes it effortless whilst other RPM/load ranges will makeit a flaky undertaking.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good Very Happy