Clutchless shifting?

**Slavvy** · 30th July 2011, 11:43

Sorry if this has been posted before.

Recently a mate told me to try clutchless upshifts on the bike. I found it pretty easy to do, it reminded me of driving a car with a sequential gearbox but no spark cut lol. I just put gentle pressure on the lever and cut the throttle momentarily, it just pops into gear smoothly. Works on downshifts, too.

What I want to know is, is this bad for the bike? Will it damage the gearbox if I keep doing it? I've heard differing opinions on the matter, so I'm asking the druids of KB

**steve_t** · 30th July 2011, 11:52

Here ya go. Some light reading

**bogan** · 30th July 2011, 11:53

edit: ^^probly explained better up there

A lot more wear to the shift dogs is the only downside I think. Some gearboxes probably deal this extra wear better than others. It can be smoother on the rest of the components vs a quick clutched shift too.

**Katman** · 30th July 2011, 11:53

Yes, it has the potential to damage the transmission - if it's not done carefully.

The real question is.....if you've been given a clutch for a purpose why would you get in the habit of not using it?

**White trash** · 30th July 2011, 12:23

I can see the attraction on a race bike to gain a tenth of a second per lap and Moto-X because I'm scared to release my grip on the bars lol but reckon for road riding there's no advantage.

**Slavvy** · 30th July 2011, 13:42

Originally Posted by Katman

Yes, it has the potential to damage the transmission - if it's not done carefully.

The real question is.....if you've been given a clutch for a purpose why would you get in the habit of not using it?

The explanation I was given was that the purpose of the clutch is for taking off at low speed, low rpm gear changes etc. I have to say that at high revs, using the clutch feels and sounds considerably more painful to the bike that doing it clutchlessly. But I really don't know if that's actually the case.

EDIT: nevermind, reading the linked threads, now feel like an idiot

**merv** · 30th July 2011, 13:49

I'm with White Trash on this one. On the road just use your clutch and go easy on the gearbox.

**ducatilover** · 30th July 2011, 13:59

It's awesome, only if you wave.

**short-circuit** · 30th July 2011, 14:03

Has anybody seen my phone?

**FJRider** · 30th July 2011, 14:05

Originally Posted by short-circuit

Has anybody seen my phone?

Yep ... it's right where you left it ...

**short-circuit** · 30th July 2011, 14:09

Fanx cuz....I also found a nice big wad of Blu Tack

**Ronin** · 30th July 2011, 16:16

Originally Posted by ducatilover

It's awesome, only if you wave.

BASTARD!

you beat me

**baptist** · 30th July 2011, 17:40

Originally Posted by ducatilover

It's awesome, only if you wave.

AND wear a silly hat

**DMNTD:Me** · 30th July 2011, 17:59

Originally Posted by White trash

I can see the attraction on a race bike to gain a tenth of a second per lap and Moto-X because I'm scared to release my grip on the bars lol but reckon for road riding there's no advantage.

About covers it nicely