Clutchless gear change

[Oldfart]

I have yet to perfect clutchless gear changing on the Spyder, maybe I am just too old to learn new tricks. I want to change gear smoothly when driving hard mainly so that the wife does not have to brace herself in an effort to stop our helmets banging together. I get it right most of the time but I am considering installing an auto shifter of some sort like the Kliktronic unit.

Can anyone recommend a system or have fitted the Kliktronic unit, which I understand is a good product. This kit costs about £500 in the UK so I am keen to hear from anyone that has it installed and what they think.

Thanks

Mike

 

[Trickie Dick]

Get an SE :joke::joke:

 

[bone crusher]

The SM5 is really easy to change gears without any jerky motions...if you know how to use the clutch, you should be fine...it's a really forgiving clutch, IMHO.

In addition, make sure you aren't trying to hit the throttle when you hit the clutch...

Look at it this way...it's like wringing out your laundry...the left hand hits the clutch and the right hand goes clockwise...you can't miss if you do it this way...they work together, not against each other.

When you're at a stop, slowly ease out the clutch as you throttle more...you'll learn the sweet spot and be able to handle the bike in a much more comfortable fashion.

If you continue to bang heads with gear shifting, you should take a class so that you can get your skills down.

 

[Firefly]

I have yet to perfect clutchless gear changing on the Spyder, maybe I am just too old to learn new tricks. I want to change gear smoothly when driving hard mainly so that the wife does not have to brace herself in an effort to stop our helmets banging together. I get it right most of the time but I am considering installing an auto shifter of some sort like the Kliktronic unit.

Can anyone recommend a system or have fitted the Kliktronic unit, which I understand is a good product. This kit costs about £500 in the UK so I am keen to hear from anyone that has it installed and what they think.

Thanks

Mike

I UP-shift without the clutch all the time---

Blip the throttle up for a quick microsecond, then when you let the throttle back down you can perform your shift without the clutch at all. Very easy and very smooth.

Downshifting without the clutch is more difficult - I typically use the clutch - unless I'm hanging on like a monkey on meth for dear life and just can't chance reaching for the clutch!

Pingle makes an auto-shifter for the Spyder

 

[mike3069]

I use the Klicktronic setup and find it dependable and easy to use. They have an ignition intrupt modual you can purchase that would make it all effortless if your so inclined.

 

[bjt]

I UP-shift without the clutch all the time---

Blip the throttle up for a quick microsecond, then when you let the throttle back down you can perform your shift without the clutch at all. Very easy and very smooth.

Downshifting without the clutch is more difficult - I typically use the clutch - unless I'm hanging on like a monkey on meth for dear life and just can't chance reaching for the clutch!

Pingle makes an auto-shifter for the Spyder

I also upshift without the clutch most of the time but use the clutch on 99.9% of all downshifts. Clutchless upshifting is as easy as putting a little upward pressure on the shift lever and just roll off the throttle. As the motor torque is released from the tranny, the gears just shift. Seems to work best above about 4K RPMs I think. Can't say for sure as I mainly shift when my ears tell me the RPMs are right.

 

[Big Arm]

:agree: A little practice....and you'll soon be shift'in like a pro :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

On the bikes, my wife was always banging helmets with me, no matter what I rode, or how smoothly. Getting a topcase with a backrest finally cured it. Made my back cooler on those hot summer days, too. If you don't have a backrest, you may want one.
-Scotty

 

[effgjamis]

Pingle makes an auto-shifter for the Spyder

Unless Pingle has upgraded their product, you still have to use the Clutch.
Per: http://www.pingelonline.com/eshifter_spyder.htm

 

[tweeder]

Unless Pingle has upgraded their product, you still have to use the Clutch.
Per: http://www.pingelonline.com/eshifter_spyder.htm

You need the clutch to start/stop but going through the gears you don't.

 

[0228lisa]

Does shifting without the clutch harm anything if it is done correctly? This appeals to me as the distance/spread between the clutch and the grip is a little to far for my small hand. I'd love to shift with no clutch if no harm is done.:dontknow: Don't want to end up with a repair bill.

 

[Firefly]

No harm done when done correctly.

Many have also used the Klicktronic setup .

 

[AMTJIM]

2 up riding requires the passenger to participate and practice, too.:thumbup:

 

[bjt]

Does shifting without the clutch harm anything if it is done correctly? This appeals to me as the distance/spread between the clutch and the grip is a little to far for my small hand. I'd love to shift with no clutch if no harm is done.:dontknow: Don't want to end up with a repair bill.

I've read articles that say its no problem. However, many folks who don't do it will tell you that you are damaging things when you shift that way. I had a younger biker from church tell me that I was going to have no gears left after a couple of years if I kept shifting that way. I'm not sure he is qualified to make that assessment. I've done all my oil changes and haven't noticed chunks of gears or a thick sludge of oil / metal particles draining out.

Read these articles / forums and judge for yourself if its feasible for you to do or not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequential_gearbox

http://sport-motorcycles.suite101.com/article.cfm/motorcycle_shift_techniques

http://www.motorcycleforum.com/showthread.php?t=90558

http://www.wikihow.com/Shift-Gears-on-a-Motor-Bike

 

[DynamoBT]

I shifted up w/o the clutch accidently many times when I was still a novice on my 250 Honda. I just plain "forgot" the clutch. :shocked:

Most everything I've read leads to the fact that it's OK so long as you are letting up on the throttle as you upshift.

The links were good reading. Thanks.

 

[NancysToy]

I do believe the practice causes additional wear. How much is the real question. On some motorcycles it is substantial wear, and even chipping, yet on others it is barely more than the normal wear from shifting. Understand that any time you move metal parts against each other, you cause wear. If they have teeth or sharp edges, the wear is increased. Not removing the load by not using the clutch can cause this wear to increase, or edges to be rounded in time. The materials and the lubrication are designed to keep normal wear to a minimum, but I doubt the engineers took clutchless shifting into account. It is pushing the limits slightly. Effects of "bang shifting" can even be different for different gears. Different transmissions are just designed and built differently, so they react differently. For the most part, if it is easy to do, with just a little foot pressure, it is probably not going to cause any problems. If you have to force it, even periodically, I would not recommend it.
-Scotty

 

[Firefly]

The way I do it there is no 'bang' involved. When you 'blip' the throttle and let it back off you can shift into another gear just like you had disengaged the clutch - it is equally as smooth if not smoother. The gears are not being abused with this type of tranny.

The key is knowing how to do it correctly. Many people use devices like the Klicktronic or Pingle shifter, which basically does the same thing when wired to the bike - it cuts the engine briefly while making the shift - really fast.

I've shifted like this on every bike I've ever owned and never had a tranny problem.

 

[sabunim5]

Does shifting without the clutch harm anything if it is done correctly? This appeals to me as the distance/spread between the clutch and the grip is a little to far for my small hand. I'd love to shift with no clutch if no harm is done.:dontknow: Don't want to end up with a repair bill.

There are other levers available that would bring the clutch lever closer to the bar/grip. :2thumbs:

 

[Firefly]

There are other levers available that would bring the clutch lever closer to the bar/grip. :2thumbs:

Not any more there aren't - Pazzo stopped making them.

 

[Burt]

Not any more there aren't - Pazzo stopped making them.

:yikes: If that's the case I'm sure glad I got mine. I love it.