Changing gears without clutch

[ktmkid]

is it bad for the bike to change gears without using the clutch? sometimes i just tap the gear lever and it changes gear really easily

[Boosted]

i do it all the time, i never use the clutch when out racing etc etc

[Hitcher]

Some manufacturers are way ahead of you...

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/26may06_2006yamaha_fjr1300.htm

[Dooly]

I have started not using the clutch a lot now, only from 2 gear up. I use it when changing down. I reckon it does'nt feel as smooth clutchless, but dunno, could be me.

[Fox Rider]

I always thought it would stuff up the gear thingys, like shave the teeth or something but what would i know.

I have done it without thinking before, didnt seem natural though

[vifferman]

Cue some SafetyNazi(TM) saying, "No!! You should never change gears without using the clutch! Your bike will blow up! Your gearbox will explode! You'll crash, explode and die a grisly and painful death!!"

Bring it on, I say....

Yeah, I often change gear without using the clutch, and when I do use the clutch, it's usually (and unintentionally) just a quick 'triggering' or fanning of the lever, just enough to momentarily unload the gears so the next cog can be engaged.

But having an Factory Pro Evo Star shift kit helps me do that...

[sugilite]

Like Dooly says, from 2nd up is sweet.
Doing it to change down, not so sweet.

[zadok]

I'm with Dooly and Suglite on this one. I've noticed that some bikes are a little (or a lot) clunky and wouldn't do it on those particular ones, otherwisw only way to go.

[Goblin]

I mostly change up and down without the clutch on my Honda...but that could have something to do with my sloppy box.:o It just slips down through the gears really easily.

The ZXR is a different story though. Ok shifting up but need the clutch on the downshifts.

[Hitcher]

...but that could have something to do with my sloppy box.

Cringes visibly while waiting for the inevitable double entendres...

[Goblin]

Goes to look up "entendres"....

[onearmedbandit]

Ha, I go up and down the box at cruise speed and on attack without the clutch and never have had any gearbox issues. It's all in the timing of the change and the flick of the wrist.

[WINJA]

Ha, I go up and down the box at cruise speed and on attack without the clutch and never have had any gearbox issues. It's all in the timing of the change and the flick of the wrist.

YOUR CLUTCH WILL LAST LONGER IF YOU DONT USE IT , REENGAGING 6 TIMES GOING UP IS GONNA CAUSE MORE WEAR AND YOU CAN STOP A CLUCTH THATS ALREADY PRONE TO BLOWING FROM DOING SO , USING NO CLUTCH IS WORTH ABOUT 1/4 OF A SECOND OR MORE ROUND PUKE, I THINK IT IS BETTER FOR THE BOX AS WELL IN A WAY CAUSE YOU NEED TO BE PERFECTLY UNLOADED ON THE SHIFT

[onearmedbandit]

YOUR CLUTCH WILL LAST LONGER IF YOU DONT USE IT , REENGAGING 6 TIMES GOING UP IS GONNA CAUSE MORE WEAR AND YOU CAN STOP A CLUCTH THATS ALREADY PRONE TO BLOWING FROM DOING SO , USING NO CLUTCH IS WORTH ABOUT 1/4 OF A SECOND OR MORE ROUND PUKE, I THINK IT IS BETTER FOR THE BOX AS WELL IN A WAY CAUSE YOU NEED TO BE PERFECTLY UNLOADED ON THE SHIFT

+1. I've never replaced a clutch in my life on a bike.

[Skyryder]

I'm unaware of any manufacturer that recommends clutchless shifts up or down. In a race situation where seconds count it may mean the difference between first into the line or second. If you have a sponsor then they can pay the price tage for a new g/box On the road it's an image thing. Sounds cool but who the hell cares if you can not see who you are impressing.

Skyryder

[WINJA]

I'm unaware of any manufacturer that recommends clutchless shifts up or down. In a race situation where seconds count it may mean the difference between first into the line or second. If you have a sponsor then they can pay the price tage for a new g/box On the road it's an image thing. Sounds cool but who the hell cares if you can not see who you are impressing.

Skyryder

NO NO NO , YOUR A RETARD , STAY OFF THE P

[dawnrazor]

shouldn't be a problem when shifting up the gears, as long as you blip the throtle thingy-majig

[MSTRS]

shouldn't be a problem when shifting up the gears, as long as you blip the throtle thingy-majig

Nope...that's for changing down. And is much more difficult to get right. Best to use the clutch on the way down.
Going up and accelerating...put pressure on the gear lever, momentarily back off the throttle (then open up immediately), and she'll go smoothly thru. It's cos you 'unload' the gearbox by backing off

[onearmedbandit]

I'm unaware of any manufacturer that recommends clutchless shifts up or down. In a race situation where seconds count it may mean the difference between first into the line or second. If you have a sponsor then they can pay the price tage for a new g/box On the road it's an image thing. Sounds cool but who the hell cares if you can not see who you are impressing.

Skyryder

I don't know of any manufacturer who recommends a lot of what I do on my bike. And clutchless changes for me are just far easier than using the clutch. If I just cruising at a very slow rate I use it, smoother at lower revs (3-5000rpm). And if you do it right there will be no damage to the 'box.

[pritch]

On the open road I usually do clutchless upward changes. I've seen this recommended in a Brit bike mag as a way of achieving smoother changes while carrying a pillion. I wouldn't disagree with that.

Riding a dirt bike I used to do clutchless down changes, I guess the "dirt" sort of acts like a slipper clutch. Sort of... :whistle:

[Wenier]

I do clutchless on up shifts from first works fine too, i use the clutch on the way down so i can match revs with a blip of the throttle and it really doesn't feel right otherwise.

I don't do clutchless up shifts if i haven't revved the bike out to at least 10k rpm as it doesn't feel right.

As far as i know it won't damage your gearbox and does save ya clutch since your not using it. Also from what i know the gears inside the gearbox are built in a way that allows you to shift with no clutch, whereas in a car you'd have to get the revs perfectly matched to do it.

[ktmkid]

ok sounds good. I wasent expecting such a good reply :banana: (new to KB) looks like I wont wrek my bike!

[Delirium]

OK...... bikes have what we call 'dogboxes' which have straight cut gears. these gears are always in constant mesh. when you flick the gear lever, you are moving the selecter from one cog to the next. So, to be able to change gears without using the clutch, you have to match both shaft speeds. this is why when you back off the throttle to change up, you effectively relieve the pressure on the selecter and the gear, and it will slip into the next gear. likewise, when you change down you also have to match the revs, but the other way round- you have to bring the shaft speed up so it will mesh in with the next gear. its a bit easier to do with the clutch in when changing down, as most of you do, you just blip the throttle to as close as you can to the rpm of the gear you are shifting to at that speed, and it will go in with ease.
thats the way i understand it anyway, having opened up a few different gearboxes myself...

[fishb8nz]

If you throttle back/brake to reduce your speed to that appropriate for the gear you're changing down to, blip the throttle as you change, it will be a sweet change. on normal riding, the brakes are for slowing you down. Much easier to change brake pads than worn engine parts.

One of the advantages cars have, over bikes, is the neutral between gears. You can blip the throttle as you pass through neutral (or double de-clutch)and get a smooth, jerkless downshift. So much less strain on the transmission and a smoother ride for passengers.

[crazybigal]

its all`about gett the revs in the right place, i dont down shift clutchless i find it too harsh but on some bikes ive found form 2nd up sewwt and smoother without the clutch, good to blip the throtle a we bit when you shift down to match the revs, just practice.