Clutchless shifting

**RT527** · 24th August 2006, 17:06

Driving Trucks makes this technique very easy for me up or down.
I often dont use the clutch at all unless I`m driving a more modern truck like a scania or volvo, these trucks require you to use the full depression of a clutch.
on the bike I dont use a clutch when i feel like it.

**Wasp** · 24th August 2006, 17:58

hey this is actually pretty cool, i gave it a go on the way home while stuck behind some cars, put a grin on my face it did! cheers for this guys!

**redbaron36** · 2nd October 2006, 19:02

I have only done this in the lower gears and no it is not to smooth. Can do it on the lower gears but habve to time it right for the smoooth change. However the higher gears are sweet as and no wouldn't do it changing down.

Question though can you roll start without a clutch, as once my clutch cable broke and me and a mate would not think we could do it. Opinions, observations, or anything on this one

**timmy** · 13th October 2006, 08:55

Originally Posted by redbaron36

I have only done this in the lower gears and no it is not to smooth. Can do it on the lower gears but habve to time it right for the smoooth change. However the higher gears are sweet as and no wouldn't do it changing down.

Question though can you roll start without a clutch, as once my clutch cable broke and me and a mate would not think we could do it. Opinions, observations, or anything on this one

In the old xr200 i just chucked it in netural pushed then selected 2nd when going fast enough. Not ideal situation for the gearbox but it got me home. In saying that the compression is low on a wee dirt bike like that and might be a harder task on a bigger bike

**Mr. Peanut** · 13th October 2006, 19:37

I upshift and downshift without my clutch. I'll let you know if anything breaks

I did it quite smoothly on Marks ZXR. It's all in the timing.

**Motu** · 13th October 2006, 20:34

Originally Posted by redbaron36

Question though can you roll start without a clutch,

Depends on all sorts,but start the engine and push it as fast as you can....a down hill helps considerably here....then jump on and put into gear with the throttle rolled off.If you've managed to get enough speed up it won't stall.

Worse I've ever had to do was my Norton with child/adult sidecar,with my wife and child inside.I wasn't going to push that up to any speed on the flat - so I put it in some thick loose metal and jammed it into gear and used the wheelspin as a clutch.Then I rode it up north to Matakana with no clutch.

**Ixion** · 13th October 2006, 21:38

If you have a centre stand u can put the bike on the centre stand (or the reafr wheel stand if you're really crusty). Start up in gear . Then rock the bike off the stand with a bit of throttle on and hang on tight.

**speedpro** · 13th October 2006, 22:47

Originally Posted by Ixion

If you have a centre stand u can put the bike on the centre stand (or the reafr wheel stand if you're really crusty). Start up in gear . Then rock the bike off the stand with a bit of throttle on and hang on tight.

I recall a similar technique being used by Wally Pushky (?) I think riding a direct drive V8 powered bike at Meremere. They fired it up, he revved it up a bit, then a helper tipped it off the stand.

I might be a bit lazy or something but I hardly ever use the clutch except for starting & stopping, though sometimes I do a bit of an "F5" and slip it out of a corner rather than change gear.

**XP@** · 19th October 2006, 12:58

I was really surprised when I worked out that I was clutchless shifting, because I didn't even realise I was doing it!

When accelletating hard, or when I was just lazy I was pulling the clutch in but not far enough for it to engage, therefore clutchless shift!

**Wheeliemonsta** · 19th October 2006, 13:21

Motorcycle gearboxes are of the sequential (constant mesh) design and will shift up and down happily with out the clutch...

The reason they are rough on the down shift is that you haven't matched your engine and road speeds

Apply a small amount of pressure to the lever prior to actually making the change and you'll get a perfect change every time

Don't be hamfisted and you wont have a problem

Cheers

**MyGSXF:Me** · 10th November 2006, 18:15

Originally Posted by Wheeliemonsta

Motorcycle gearboxes are of the sequential (constant mesh) design and will shift up and down happily with out the clutch...

Tis good to know that it doesn't do any damage.. coz riding home from Greymouth to Nelson @ Labour wknd, with a broken left middle finger in a solid brace.. was rather painful..

so gave up using the clutch real quick!!!

Jen

**Ruralman** · 10th November 2006, 20:25

much easier to keep the KDX front wheel pointing skywards through 2nd,3rd and 4th gear if you don't use the clutch - doing it with the clutch you've got to flick it so fast I doubt whether it is actually being used anyway.
Always use it on the Transalp 'cos I'm not in a crazy adrenaline rush.

**Flyno** · 11th November 2006, 11:22

I race, and i change up without my clutch, it easy, sometimes wen i down shit i wont use the clutch! but its all about the rider YOU!
get a quick shitter and not even hoop of the gas! lol