shifting w/o clutch
- Thread starter rickyd
- Start date
LWilson250
Member
- Jan 1, 2001
- 685
- 0
As I see it, it only takes a second to use the clutch to shift. I wouldn't risk doing damage to my gears just because I don't want to clutch it. You also can get a little boost in power when using the clutch to shift.
Just my opinion.
Lee W.
Just my opinion.
Lee W.
I'm the same way as LWilson250, It takes no time to pull the clutch in and shift,I mean why don't you guys go ahead and use it, You to darn lazy, I don't see the big deal on shifting without the clutch, I mean you do everything pretty much at the same time anyways(Let off gas,pull in clutch and shift). YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT WITHOUT THE CLUTCH FAST ENOUGH THAT IT WILL DO YOU GOOD,Just use the darn clutch, Thats what its there for, Maybe you need an Auto clutch if you don't know how to use it, Matt
Lee,
How do you know if Herb used the clutch or not ????
Most of the cats in our series probably don't use the clutch either during the races.
Your transmission is not going to just explode, because you don't shift with the clutch. All 4 brands have transmissions that have evolved from factory bikes and steady improvements each year , while using the same cases and gearing. So they are built to last more than just one season.
See ya
How do you know if Herb used the clutch or not ????
Most of the cats in our series probably don't use the clutch either during the races.
Your transmission is not going to just explode, because you don't shift with the clutch. All 4 brands have transmissions that have evolved from factory bikes and steady improvements each year , while using the same cases and gearing. So they are built to last more than just one season.
See ya
LWilson250
Member
- Jan 1, 2001
- 685
- 0
I really don't know if Herb used the clutch or not... But I don't want to risk anything. I don't see any reason to put more stress on the gears and clutch then I have to. I can't aford to replace a gear set if I bust it... Some people never use the clutch and if thats what works for them then fine, I just don't think that you should not use the clutch because it "takes to long".
Lee W.
Lee W.
jmics19067
LIFETIME SPONSOR
- Jan 22, 2002
- 2,097
- 0
I dont use the clutch to shift I use the clutch so I dont have to shift :think:
One thing youve got to understand is a dirt bike transmission is constant mesh. you never take the teeth of the gears out. Each some of the gears have pins and some have holes and they slide on a splined shaft, as you change gears there is a drum with grooves in it that move forks that move the gears. If you do it right shifting without the clutch doesnt hurt much, if youve ever driven any sort of car/truck without a synchronized transmission you know how to do it, if you are shifting up, dont just shut the throttle and shift, match the motor to the next gear. hope that helps.
jmics19067
LIFETIME SPONSOR
- Jan 22, 2002
- 2,097
- 0
have to agree with that!!!!!!!!!!!!!most of all the truck drivers I know only use the clutch for 1st and reverse.
yes that is true one hundred percent if you time the rpm drop of the engine when you let off for an instant on the throttle with your upshift it will probably wear less on the gears on any transmission then if you grab the clutch full throttle and speed shift.
On a motocross bike most of the time you really only need to let off the throttle only to get the trans out of thegear your in. With the undercutting of the dogs of the gears they are self energizing to help find and hold them into gear<probably not the best way to put it but its as close as I can get with my vocabulary>
RICKYD:Everytime I ride I want to get better also and I have been, But shifting with the clutch does not take enough longer than shifting without it to make a differnce in my opinion, If I went out today and got on a dirt road and took off and did not use the clutch when I shifted and then the next time I used the clutch I don't think I would have accelerated any faster the time I didn't use it, There is no reason to not use the clutch, I get better everyday but I still use the clutch, Its like your saying if you use the clutch you won't get any better,Rubbish. I don't have anything aginst you but I and others have tried to make our point clear, If you want to tear your tranny up then go right ahead,Nobody here will feel sorry for you when you grind your teeth up, Matt
Using the clutch, or not using the clutch while upshifting is a matter of personal prefernce, that is all there is to it. Some believe that it will wear the transmission, and so they use the clutch, nothing wrong with that, as shifting clutchless must be a fraction harder on the tranny. However, I think the extra amount of wear is negligable, because I know there are bikes out there that people have ridden for 5 - 10 yrs, shifted without the clutch, and the trannys are still fine. I guess it depends on your personal style, and probably that is learned from when you first drove a standard transmission. Personally, I use the clutch, but not because I'm worried about my tranny. I just learned that way. And I always give the motor a quick blip when downshifting, instead of letting the next lower gear speed it up. I think that saves a lot of tranny wear. Just my $.02
Oh, XR400Man, you won't grind teeth in a bike tranny from clutchless shifting, the gears are in constant mesh. You might be able to break some pins though...
Oh, XR400Man, you won't grind teeth in a bike tranny from clutchless shifting, the gears are in constant mesh. You might be able to break some pins though...
Last edited:
rickyd
Hot Sauce
- Oct 28, 2001
- 3,447
- 0
- Thread starter
- #23
XR400man,
I think you missed the point of my original question, i wasnt asking if to use or not to use the clutch for shifting.. What i asked was when not shifting w/a clutch, should i let off the gas for a little.. Part of the fun for me in riding moto-x (no i dont race) is doing maintenance on my bike..
Thanks
Rick
I'm fairly new to dirt biking, but when I'm accelerating hard on my sportbike, it is easier and faster to up shift without the clutch. I tried it after taking a riding class at Willow Springs Raceway and it made a big difference for me on the straights. I've had the same bike now since '97 with no gear problems.
In addition, I usually suffer from serious left forearm fatigue (pump) when I do a lot of riding. Clutchless up shifting enables me to ride in comfort for a lot longer.
In addition, I usually suffer from serious left forearm fatigue (pump) when I do a lot of riding. Clutchless up shifting enables me to ride in comfort for a lot longer.
Griff,
You hit the nail on the head !!!! I am racing the bike and whatever makes it easier or faster for me , I will take advantage of it. Now whatever happens to this bike after I sell it , that's tough. That's why they ask if it has ever been raced and want less for your bike. I use my clutch enough in the woods and my arm gets pumped up too, so when I can ,like on straights or fending someone off of a pass , I will not use the clutch if I need to shift gears. I babied the bike for about 6 months and then snapped out of the new bike mode and for the last 18 monts have been shifthing without the clutch.
So far I haven't found any cogs in the oil !!!!!!
See ya
You hit the nail on the head !!!! I am racing the bike and whatever makes it easier or faster for me , I will take advantage of it. Now whatever happens to this bike after I sell it , that's tough. That's why they ask if it has ever been raced and want less for your bike. I use my clutch enough in the woods and my arm gets pumped up too, so when I can ,like on straights or fending someone off of a pass , I will not use the clutch if I need to shift gears. I babied the bike for about 6 months and then snapped out of the new bike mode and for the last 18 monts have been shifthing without the clutch.
So far I haven't found any cogs in the oil !!!!!!
See ya
