Changing Gear

[dolly3900]

Daft question, but apart from starting and stopping, does anyone else not bother with the clutch in normal, every day riding?

With the sequential gearboxs on bikes, it is much easier to slip into gear, both up and down, without the need for the left hand input, so I was just wondering if I am alone in this.?

I know when knocking down a couple to overtake, the hand does come in useful for a smoother change, but in day to day riding? not needed.

Something I have always done (I say always, me with less than 12 months onthe road), but then again, I tend to do it in the van as well (at least, going up the gears anyway).

Mike
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2002 Rieju RS2-50 (Sold, spares or repair), 2010 Suzuki DR-125SM (Traded for ->), 2007 Honda CBF 600 (Sold), 2010 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (Briefly, now returned), 2007 Suzuki Intruder 1800m (Even More Briefly, traded in for ->), 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 650

[SQL]

Should use it going down gears, but going up is fine.

[P.]

Anything other than 1st>2nd and 2nd<1st is clutchless for me.

[dolly3900]

Glad it is not just me then
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2002 Rieju RS2-50 (Sold, spares or repair), 2010 Suzuki DR-125SM (Traded for ->), 2007 Honda CBF 600 (Sold), 2010 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (Briefly, now returned), 2007 Suzuki Intruder 1800m (Even More Briefly, traded in for ->), 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 650

[DrDonnyBrago]

I use the clutch on 99% of gear changes.

[groovylee]

[David072]

I always use the clutch, and didnt realise you could do so without

[CyrilSwan]

[MattJ]

[Suntan Sid]

[Old Git Racing]

Hardly ever up, always down.

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[thewhyoffry]

[unluckyluke]

I always use the clutch when shifting, but I'm a mechanical sympathy kinda guy. It takes milliseconds to pull the clutch in so why wouldn't you?

[pinkyfloyd]

Force of habit. I always use the clutch.
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Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Vracktal]

I use the clutch unless it's cold, then I keep my paws wrapped firmly around the heated grips.

Even when I do use the clutch though, I only dip it very slightly, enough to slip it a little while I slide the next gear up/down.
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2007 BMW R1200R: On road
2009 BMW G650X Challenge: On road
1975 Norton Commando 850: Off road, awaiting recommissioning

[Clutchy]

I like to mix it up, if riding fast I sometimes forget about the clutch.


I'm a bit clutchy when it comes to it
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*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
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[Wonko The Sane]

Always used the clutch on my own bikes,

On my CBT I realised there was a lot of play in the E reg CG so started shifting without and carried on doing so for the rest of the day.
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[Rigga]

As others have said, I pull the clutch in just by habit but I know full well that sometimes I've only just feathered it.
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Current bike: Honda CBR 1100xx

[Dave70]

I always use the clutch myself, except on the odd occasion when I've messed up for one reason or another. However, my gearbox didn't seem to like it very much, judging by the loud 'clunk' sound it made.

Are there any rules of how you're supposed to do this and what are the risks, or indeed advantages?

[Alex A]

I rarely clutchless shift down (when I do, it's more for the novelty than anything else), and occasionally clutchless shift up when riding hard. But as with others above, 99% of the time I use the clutch. Smoother, and offers much better control metering in the power and engine braking. It doesn't take any longer really, and I personally feel that frequently downshifting without the clutch would be no good for the gearbox or engine.

[MC]

You can do what now? When my clutch cable snapped I just rode home in 2nd, not stopping at junctions etc. I have read about clutchless shifting, but always been too pussy to try it, although sometimes I do hit the shifter before I've pulled the clutch in but that's more bad technique.
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[delsol]

Clutch-less gear changes are just fine, with only a little thought needed to 'timing' the change on a chain drive.

I feel less comfortable with clutch-less changes on a shaft drive, timing of change is more critical so I find.

I hate feeling the 'lash' on the drive shaft when I get it wrong, maybe I should not be doing it at all.

Advice readily accepted.

[sabian92]

I shift up without a clutch sometimes although never down.

That being said the bite on my clutch is basically just as you pull the lever in so I hardly have to touch it as it is.

[Kari-On]

I also mainly use the clutch. Tried the clutchless upshifts once or twice, and it felt weird.

[i.p.phrealy]

Try driving a car without using your clutch pedal. I had to in an old Sierra as the cable snapped and my ex wife chose that night to go into labour!

So no pressure then!
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