The clutch. Who uses it?

**bawked** · 13th March 2014, 20:51

I've had my zxr250 for like 3 weeks now, and I find I don't bother using the clutch most the time.... I don't see the point, It seems when I do use it sometimes that it doesn't go into gear properly on upshifts. Downshifting into corners and rev matching kinda does feel more natural with the clutch...

Do you guys use it? Bikes have dog synchros right, so it shouldn't really matter whether i use it or not?

**Ocean1** · 13th March 2014, 21:01

Originally Posted by bawked

I've had my zxr250 for like 3 weeks now, and I find I don't bother using the clutch most the time.... I don't see the point, It seems when I do use it sometimes that it doesn't go into gear properly on upshifts. Downshifting into corners and rev matching kinda does feel more natural with the clutch...

Do you guys use it? Bikes have dog synchros right, so it shouldn't really matter whether i use it or not?

Motorcycle gearboxes have no synchros at all. Learn to match revs well and you won't damage the gearbox too much changing without the clutch, but you'll still shorten it's life. Matching gears well also makes changing with the clutch a lot less hit and miss. Use the clutch.

**Ulsterkiwi** · 13th March 2014, 21:04

I am no mechanic, but if you didnt need it why would they put on one on every bike? Its not like its an optional extra like heated grips or a centre stand.

**SMOKEU** · 13th March 2014, 21:13

I usually don't use the clutch for upshifts, except when going from 1st to 2nd gear. I always use the clutch for downshifts. I find it easier and smoother to do clutchless upshifts in most cases.

Originally Posted by Ulsterkiwi

I am no mechanic, but if you didnt need it why would they put on one on every bike? Its not like its an optional extra like heated grips or a centre stand.

It will be a bit tricky to ride a bike smoothly in traffic with no clutch.

**Mike.Gayner** · 13th March 2014, 21:22

Originally Posted by Ulsterkiwi

I am no mechanic, but if you didnt need it why would they put on one on every bike? Its not like its an optional extra like heated grips or a centre stand.

Because crash starting up a hill is fucking hard.

**Ulsterkiwi** · 13th March 2014, 21:37

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

It will be a bit tricky to ride a bike smoothly in traffic with no clutch.

Originally Posted by Mike.Gayner

Because crash starting up a hill is fucking hard.

which was kind of my point, the thing is there for a reason......use it.

**bawked** · 13th March 2014, 22:21

I know how to rev match and shit, I assume if you tried to clutchless down shift without blipping it wouldn't go into gear as you'd expect since the input shaft isn't at the right speed.

So as long as the shifts are fine (ie the revs matched) it's pretty much the same as using the clutch but faster?

**Thaeos** · 13th March 2014, 22:38

No real reason not to.. good to keep a finger or two over the lever so you can pull it in instantly if anything starts to go wrong.

**Akzle** · 14th March 2014, 06:38

Originally Posted by Thaeos

No real reason not to.. good to keep a finger or two over the lever so you can pull it in instantly if anything starts to go wrong.

worst advice ive seen in a long time.

Certain situations only.

**avgas** · 14th March 2014, 07:01

You fool, its not the clutch that is optional.....it's the brake lever.

**p.dath** · 14th March 2014, 07:18

I use the clutch when changing down, and up from 1st to 2nd, and then clutchless the rest of the way.

How can you rev match when changing down? You need the clutch to be engaged to be able to blip to raise the revs to match the next gear down you are changing into.

**nzspokes** · 14th March 2014, 07:26

Originally Posted by bawked

I've had my zxr250 for like 3 weeks now, and I find I don't bother using the clutch most the time.... I don't see the point, It seems when I do use it sometimes that it doesn't go into gear properly on upshifts. Downshifting into corners and rev matching kinda does feel more natural with the clutch...

Do you guys use it? Bikes have dog synchros right, so it shouldn't really matter whether i use it or not?

Its a bad habit. Once you get on a big bike you will need to clutch downshifts. Or you will start locking back wheels. And if you try to push it down when the revs are not right you will bend shift forks in the gearbox.