Do you always use your clutch?

**zadok** · 7th July 2005, 20:04

I've often wondered if most bikers use their clutch all the time. I do with my current bike. My previous two bikes had quite smooth gear boxes and allowed me to shift up and down without using the clutch.

(ps. you obviously need it to take off, so the question refers to when your up and going).

**JohnBoy** · 7th July 2005, 20:08

it depends with me, around town i will use the clutch for both up and down changes but if i am out on the m'way or back roads i only use it to down change.

**Matt Bleck** · 7th July 2005, 20:21

Somtimes changing up I don't use it, but changing down with out it,

thats just not good cricket!!

**XTC** · 7th July 2005, 20:29

On the road I always use the clutch. Motocross and off road clutchless shifts were the norm.... Especially when my MX bike had a z-start auto clutch.

**John** · 7th July 2005, 20:30

Well not any more just of the line and if the engine is abit cold is when I normally use the clutch..

**WINJA** · 7th July 2005, 20:40

NO CLUTCH IS WORTH .2 OF A SECOND DOWN THE BACK STRAIGHT AT PUKEKOHE , SAME WITH THE STREET IF YOUR RACING IT CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING IN FRONT OR BEHIND FOR THE NEXT CORNER,
I ALSO THINK CLUTCHLESS UPSHIFTING IS BETTER FOR THE CLUTCH AND GEARBOX IF DONE PROPERLY

**John** · 7th July 2005, 20:45

Originally Posted by WINJA

NO CLUTCH IS WORTH .2 OF A SECOND DOWN THE BACK STRAIGHT AT PUKEKOHE , SAME WITH THE STREET IF YOUR RACING IT CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING IN FRONT OR BEHIND FOR THE NEXT CORNER,
I ALSO THINK CLUTCHLESS UPSHIFTING IS BETTER FOR THE CLUTCH AND GEARBOX IF DONE PROPERLY

Yea I recon, Save the clutch for the drags.. Plus wheelies are a shitload easier without clutch..

**Motu** · 7th July 2005, 21:24

Normaly use the clutch,but if pushing hard I don't.On my old Yamaha XS1 the clutch was so heavy that at the end of a ride I could hardly pull it in so just flicked it through.On the DT230 using the clutch is a pain - the gears are so close and the motor so revvy that using the clutch gives a jerky ride...so I just flick it up and down without the clutch....just imagine the sound of an MX bike,you gotta ride it like that,even on the street.

**pritch** · 7th July 2005, 21:26

Round town, and when cruising in my usual relaxed manner, I use the clutch on up shifts. If in a hurry, or riding two-up, clutchless is smoother.

Downshifts on road bikes are done with clutch, but on dirt bikes maybe not.

**speights_bud** · 7th July 2005, 21:32

Only use the clutch for changing down, otherwise makes for a rough ride and sore man parts (the Bucket racer seat aint so comfortable) as for changing up its a clutch free zone.

**bugjuice** · 7th July 2005, 21:46

depends how lazy I am.. I can shift slow or quick, but hacking it, I can fluff it up, so usually I clutch it to be sure of a shift.. and for wheelies

**boomer** · 7th July 2005, 22:12

wow...didnt know you could shift without the clutch. So i dont go braking anything, is there something you should do or be aware of when upshifting with no clutch

**Flyingpony** · 8th July 2005, 00:05

I use the clutch at all times because I don't like the thought of brushing my bikes teeth!

**XP@** · 8th July 2005, 00:13

Usualy use it when shifting from N to 1.
Don't bother much if i am in the right rev range.
Rarely use it off the lights, hand not fast enough.

**onearmedbandit** · 8th July 2005, 00:20

I'll use it for up and downshifts around low town speeds, otherwise when I'm upping the pace on the hills/etc I don't use it for either. Downshifting without the clutch is very easy once you know your bike.