Shifting gears...

[Questions]

So I'm new at riding a motorcycle and still kinda getting used to the whole gear shifting thing...well I've heard that you can shift gears up without use the clutch, is this true?? will it hurt the bike?

 

[BRPjunkie]

So I'm new at riding a motorcycle and still kinda getting used to the whole gear shifting thing...well I've heard that you can shift gears up without use the clutch, is this true?? will it hurt the bike?

Clutch is there for a reason, use it. :lecturef_smilie:

 

[ARtraveler]

shifting gears

With a clutch, you should use it. My sense tells me that not using it will eventually cause some damage. In an emergency when the clutch is broke--then give it a try.

 

[M2Wild]

Can the Spyder run under water? Hell yeah ... just once and not for long.

 

[boborgera]

So I'm new at riding a motorcycle and still kinda getting used to the whole gear shifting thing...well I've heard that you can shift gears up without use the clutch, is this true?? will it hurt the bike?

You can but why would you want to? As you say your new to shifting,
get few miles under your belt before you try clutch less shifting. But i have to say most people do it every now and then. Done right it up shifts easy. Done wrong !Ouch! Any way have fun ride safe. welcome

 

[Firefly]

So I'm new at riding a motorcycle and still kinda getting used to the whole gear shifting thing...well I've heard that you can shift gears up without use the clutch, is this true?? will it hurt the bike?

If you're new to motorcycles and shifting--- by all means-- use the clutch.

Shifting *can* be done without the clutch--- and without harm--- but only if you know what your doing. Clutchless upshifting is easier than downshifting.

The basic procedure is to 'blip' the throttle and shift. It takes a bit of practice, but can be done and is very smooth when doing it correctly.

The only real reasons to do it is for 'speed shifting' when trying to lower times on things like the 1/4 mile and perhaps shifting when you're in an awkward position and can't really let loose of the bars.:yikes: This is most prevalent in off-road riding---(not Spyder recommended--)

Other than that--- has no real practical benefit.....

I don't recommend it for novice to average ability riders.

 

[bikeguy]

I've been riding off-road for years and I often shift without using the clutch mostly because, as Firefly says, I need both hands on the bars and my hands aren't big enough to use two fingers to pull the clutch. Upshifts are pretty simple - put a little pressure on the shifter with your toe, shut the throttle for an instant, and it almost shifts itself, then you're right back on the throttle. Easy as it is, I don't upshift much without using the clutch because it's just not necessary.

Downshifts are really just as easy. Blip the throttle and press the shifter down and you're in a lower gear. I downshift a lot without using the clutch because, off-road, you're often in situations where you NEED a lower gear. Rough uphills where you can get out of shape and you need all the control that both hands can muster but you have to go to a lower gear. It becomes second nature to shift without using the clutch. Hustle it into a corner where you need a lower gear to get out of the turn and, again, it becomes second nature to get that lower gear without using the clutch. All that having been said, this is with relatively small displacement Japanese bikes with slick shifting transmissions. I don't guess it hurt them because I rode some of them for years and never had a transmission or driveline problem.

I've shifted my BMW without using the clutch just to see it would. It will but I would never make a habit of it. Nor will I do so with my Spyder if it ever gets here. These are much larger displacement engines with more sophisticated drivelines and, as others have mentioned, there's just not much need to do so.

Cotton

 

[QuadManiac]

Clutchless shifting WILL add wear to the shift dogs between gears. Will it add enough wear to cause tranny failure before the rest of the bike is due for the scrap heap? Maybe, maybe not - depends on how hard you shift, how often and how well, without the clutch.

One thing is for certain - if you DO always use the clutch, the tranny will last longer than if you don't. Long enough, either way? Your guess is as good as mine - but it's an expensive gamble it you're wrong.

 

[NancysToy]

Clutchless shifting WILL add wear to the shift dogs between gears. Will it add enough wear to cause tranny failure before the rest of the bike is due for the scrap heap? Maybe, maybe not - depends on how hard you shift, how often and how well, without the clutch.

One thing is for certain - if you DO always use the clutch, the tranny will last longer than if you don't. Long enough, either way? Your guess is as good as mine - but it's an expensive gamble it you're wrong.

:agree: