Clutchless downshifting: Who does it?

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

Was going nuts on a gravel road yesterday on the motorcrosser (motard styles), and thought I might try downless clutch shifting. Was hesitant to try because I thought without a clutch to smooth the downshift, compression lock may make the backend too loose on the slippery surface. Tried it and found downshifts really smooth and fast, just bang down the box. Even blipping the throttle when doing so to rev match came naturally and was just soo smooth. I was doing this for a while, then thought I really should be using the clutch for downshifts (had some sympathy). Id be interested to hear some thoughts on clutchless downshifting, who does it? or whether its a good or bad idea? Whats it like on the circuit with a big 4 stroke?

[Tony.OK]

Clutchless upshiftings fine...............but not so much downshifting, gearbox's aren't really designed to do it. It'd put alot of stress on internals.
I wouldn't want to get into a habit of it if your gonna go on a track, too much grip will wreck the box and most likely you if ya cock it up.
If you can learn to feather the clutch to allow slippage all will be good. Unless ya have a slipper clutch that is.

[slofox]

Only do this in "arse-twanging" moments of necessity - for reasons as outlined above...

[Sully60]

Was going nuts on a gravel road yesterday on the motorcrosser (motard styles), and thought I might try downless clutch shifting. Was hesitant to try because I thought without a clutch to smooth the downshift, compression lock may make the backend too loose on the slippery surface. Tried it and found downshifts really smooth and fast, just bang down the box. Even blipping the throttle when doing so to rev match came naturally and was just soo smooth. I was doing this for a while, then thought I really should be using the clutch for downshifts (had some sympathy). Id be interested to hear some thoughts on clutchless downshifting, who does it? or whether its a good or bad idea? Whats it like on the circuit with a big 4 stroke?

I think you need to go read the slipper clutch thread (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=92470).
The computer says no!

[CookMySock]

I got an engine here with a bent selector fork and a cracked crankcase housing if you want to ask it? I think it's saying "no".

Steve

[steveyb]

GP bike riders in the US seem to do it a lot on their 125's.
Perhaps that is a function of the number of gearboxes they can afford to buy?
Not that keen on it myself due to increased opportunity for damage.
If it was the thing to do then I believe we would see the MotoGP boys (and men, hahahaha) do it, but they use the clutch.

[Ocean1]

On a comp dirt bike, competing in the dirt, no problem. I'd clutch it for preference but if you're pushed for time going into a turn it's fine, esp if you routinely nail the throttle blip, (which I do even when using the clutch).

Big road bike, on the road, perhaps not. Certainly do-able, and smoothly, but the concequences are high long term, or if you fuck it up.

[Teambwr47]

Its a no no in general and I always blip the throttle and clutch every downshift however there have been the odd occasion when i've changed without the clutch and its at one particular track, one corner, where there's so much going on during a change from sweeping hard left uphill to a right that the clutchless change just seemed the only way to get everything done.

I think more to do with my brain not working fast enough..........:sleep:

[McDuck]

I ofton do it on the 400, given i am no where near racing or even pushing, i just like to do it when gental cruzing, i dont know why.


Is this bad?