i keep reading about riders not using the clutch after the 1-2 gear shifts. how does the clutch work in a bike? does anyone else here do it?

 

isn't the clutch like always engaged or something? i donno much about this so i won't even try to but i shift w/o the clutch. just before you are ready to shift up, preload the shifter (but a lil pressure on it) get off the gas a lil and push the rest of the way up w/ your foot and it'll shift, takes a lil while to get smooth w/ it tho.

 

you can shift gears in a car withouth the clutch, so why not on a bike? It's a lot easier to do it on a bike too. Sometimes I don't always ride with my left handon the bars, and instead of putting it back on there I just shift with out the clutch.

Just apply a little bit of pressure to the shifter, and for a split second close the throtttle a little bit, and click the gear.

Some people call it "Speed shifting" and use it for racing because they think it's faster.

 

i dont use my clutch often in the high gears

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GermanHondaSlayer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you can shift gears in a car withouth the clutch, so why not on a bike? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't see why you would. No matter how well you match the RPM, shifting without the clutch causes unneccesary wear.

 

I do it all the time. It is easier on my hand hehe, plus I think it puts less wear and tear on your clutch.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by backlash &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">plus I think it puts less wear and tear on your clutch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Of course, but would you rather have your clutch or entire tranny wear out first?

 

News to me. Sounds stupid. The only thing I sometimes do is shift up without releasing the throttle

 

I think it would cause a major unnecessary wear on your clutch and tranny ...

 

this could turn into a good debate.
motorcycles are different than cars in the fact that they have straight cut gears this makes it possible to shift without the use of the clutch. as far as longevity of transmission i doubt that it will make much of a difference.
in a car with helical cut gears i would understand that the longevity would be reduced.
any ME's care to help us out with this one???

 

You could also downshift a few gears everytime you want to slow down for a red light. 15k rpm worth of engine vacuum will slow you right down. To save you that wear and tear on the brake pads you see.... I'll never have to buy clutch plates or brake pads evAR again!

Mechanical engineers helped us out when they designed these transmissions The clutch is there for a reason, might as well use it.

 

Kinda off topic but how does the PowerCommander quick shift thingamabob work?

 

whats a clutch?

 

shift with authority; its a dogbox. i use the clutch 90% of the time; just not when im really on it. someday i will get the one handed lean thing down though....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I don't see why you would. No matter how well you match the RPM, shifting without the clutch causes unneccesary wear.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well i'm not saying you should, just that you could.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScareyH22A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Kinda off topic but how does the PowerCommander quick shift thingamabob work?</TD></TR></TABLE>

works the same way as clutchless shifting, but you dont have to let off the throttle at all, as soon as you actuate the gear lever, the PC cuts power to the ignition for a split second as you shift (sans clutch).

in normal clutchless shifting you let off the throttle, shift without clutching, then back on the throttle in one smooth motion. i use this for 1-2-3 all the time, you just have to time your throttle right so you arent jerky on the motor.

you can do the same with downshifting too, but it takes more practice to do it smoothly.

i learned how to do this at 16 in my civic, dont do it in my cars anymore because its much harder to match RPMs and not grind gears, but bikes will slide right into gear without a clutch like butter.

 

The only shifting you should do without the clutch is up shifting (and it should be kept to a minimal). Downshifting without the clutch will tear your transmission to nothing. I would definately use the clutch whenever possible if it were my bike.

 

Why use clutchless shifting???? Because if done right, it's a split second faster than using a clutch. These split seconds add up everytime you shift, and for racers, every second counts.

One of the instructors at Fastracks metioned that the motorcycle tranny (not sure on dry clutch) is a "constant-mesh" type, which differ from cars. If you look it up on a search engine you can find out more, and knowing how this type of tranny works can probably help you understand why clutchless shifting is possible. Is it harmless??? Probably not for the longrun. But racers don't really care too much about longevity. I use clutchless shifting ALL THE TIME, mainly because I like to practice (and because I'm a lazy *** too). I'm not concerned about longevity simply because I own a HONDA! Longevity is their middle name!

 

The original question asked why "riders" not "racers" do it. Your point that it's faster is true however it's simply not necessary on the street.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Apocalypse &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The original question asked why "riders" not "racers" do it. Your point that it's faster is true however it's simply not necessary on the street.</TD></TR></TABLE>

To answer that, its because of laziness. Street riders should use the clutch for more controlled shifting. On the track you use clutchless up/downshifts. But they have special mechanisms that automatically cut the timing even on full throttle roll ons where we have to roll off to cut the timing to shift this way.