Blipping the throttle on downshifts?

[trumpy]

And this rider is blipping on the downshift with no clutch. And to think they said it couldn't be done...

Yep, certainly can be done. Even I, with my rather "basic" riding ability, do it on a regular basis.
I my race car, which had a dog box, I never used the clutch once off the start line and since I used to left foot brake quite often it was a necessary skill. Just a matter of timing....although not really one you wanted to get wrong.....

[Mikkel]

And this rider is blipping on the downshift with no clutch. And to think they said it couldn't be done...

So who's the rider? The track is obviously Ruapuna...

I can't see how you would manage clutchless downshifting without blipping the throttle. It would be very jerky at least.

[Luckylegs]

.............. and blipping just sounds cool

Yip.... I often find myself "Blipping" into '0' gear as well.....

...I must learn to count. Ive often wondered whether that last blip makes it as painfully obvious to others as it is me, that Ive tried to select a gear lower than 1st.

[onearmedbandit]

So who's the rider? The track is obviously Ruapuna...

I can't see how you would manage clutchless downshifting without blipping the throttle. It would be very jerky at least.

Actually, with just the right throttle application and a bit of pressure on the gearlever and you can downshift without the clutch, and without blipping. But it takes a bit more finesse, so I generally always blip, but even then without the clutch you still have to be careful. And the rider is moi, but you knew that already.

[Mikkel]

Actually, with just the right throttle application and a bit of pressure on the gearlever and you can downshift without the clutch, and without blipping. But it takes a bit more finesse, so I generally always blip, but even then without the clutch you still have to be careful. And the rider is moi, but you knew that already.

Must have been in your old leathers - but yes, I should have realised... Going fast without hanging off

So, what are the advantages of not using the clutch? Is it bad for the bike or just harder to get the shifts smooth? I've been practicing not using the clutch on my trip over easter - and I found that when I got back into the city and started using the clutch my shifts had become much much smoother.

[Edbear]

When you ride a nice-sounding V-twin it is almost mandatory to blip on downshifts, especially in town!

[onearmedbandit]

Must have been in your old leathers - but yes, I should have realised... Going fast without hanging off

Yip, my previous leathers.

So, what are the advantages of not using the clutch?

Quicker smoother gear changes. Also for me when I'm on the pace it's just easier.

Is it bad for the bike or just harder to get the shifts smooth?

Some say it's bad for the gearbox, others claim it's not. I believe if it is done correctly then it does no harm to your gearbox, I've been doing it for years and never had any issues.

I've been practicing not using the clutch on my trip over easter - and I found that when I got back into the city and started using the clutch my shifts had become much much smoother.

Yip, it gives you a greater feel of what's happening.

[MotoKuzzi]

Yes. I dont't know how a bike would behave if the clutch had zero drag, not aware of any clutch designs that would have none, be interesting...

The Guzzi is a dry clutch and I've noticed there is progressively less drag as the clutch is pulled further in but it doesn't totally disappear at full disengagement. An old Truckie I once worked for (think S bedfords) said the gears are for driving and the brakes for stopping and thats how he wanted them driven. I still tend to drive a car and ride the bike like that, pulling the clutch in and coasting to intersections while downshifting as my speed drops so that i'm in the right gear by the time I need to use power again. Makes for smoother handling around town.

[Animal]

LMAO i was racing my bucket and coming into the first corner after the strait blipping the throttle and braking, my hand got stuck accelerating and i went strait into the tires. lesson learnt, don't stuff up blipping lol

Oh shit! You would not have felt proud!

[Animal]

Right size piston + right timing + just right amount of oil = perfection in Doof Doof

Ok, enough now...It makes me want to go for a ride

Don't slide off the seat! I've seen this happen.

[Mike748]

Half clutch and bang it through the gears letting the slipper and engine share the load and then controlling load on both by applying the front brake.
And to quantify I don't push hard into corners and I'm still learning something every ride.

[Grahameeboy]

When you ride a nice-sounding V-twin it is almost mandatory to blip on downshifts, especially in town!

I agree Mr Ed but me thinks you would not get away with that in the Hall car park eh?

[Kickaha]

I can't see how you would manage clutchless downshifting without blipping the throttle. It would be very jerky at least.

Not as bad as you think if you get it right

Some say it's bad for the gearbox, others claim it's not. I believe if it is done correctly then it does no harm to your gearbox, I've been doing it for years and never had any issues.

Spent a few years doing both up and down changes racing gearbox karts and didn't ever have a gearbox problem, same on the sidecar

Most of the time I generally don't bother "blipping" on the road, racing I used to do it one one sidecar I rode for a smoother shift but don't bother on anything else

[007XX]

Don't slide off the seat! I've seen this happen.

Mebbe...but I make it look good!

[Edbear]

I agree Mr Ed but me thinks you would not get away with that in the Hall car park eh?

LOL!!! Haven't tried it there, I just let it rumble at idle speed and with the walls around it gives just the right reverbrations. Attracts lots of admiring attention, though...