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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Shifting without the Clutch
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Message started by prechermike on 03/04/09 at 14:07:22

Title: Shifting without the Clutch
Post by prechermike on 03/04/09 at 14:07:22

I have occasionialy shifted gears in whatever I was driving (car, truck, motorcycle, whatever) without using the clutch. I apply a little pressure to the shifter, back off of the throttle and it slips out and then into gear. There is no grinding or anything.

My question, "Is this OK?" I find myslef doing it alot more on the savage, maybe I am lazy but it just seems easier and natural for me. I do not want to damage anything, so I thought I would ask.

Thanks
Mike

Title: Re: Shifting without the Clutch
Post by T Mack 1 on 03/04/09 at 14:22:24

It should be ok if done correctly.... no power on OR no decelerating.

Cars have synchronized trannys (newer cars fully sync'd). The bike has a Constant Mesh tranny.

Different in that you can grind a car tranny if the power is not applied correctly, i.e. if you weren't all the way in gear when you hit the gas.

On the bike, if power is applied wrong, it can do odd things, like find false neutrals.

Title: Re: Shifting without the Clutch
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 03/04/09 at 14:26:16

I always advise to learn how to "speed shift" anyway just in case of clutch failure.

Title: Re: Shifting without the Clutch
Post by bill67 on 03/04/09 at 16:01:35

I never use the clutch if I am drag racing a motorcycle.

Title: Re: Shifting without the Clutch
Post by ian22 on 03/05/09 at 17:06:17

0970103C3E366C5D0 wrote:

On the bike, if power is applied wrong, it can do odd things, like find false neutrals.

This seems to always happen to me when going into 5th gear. It has never happened to me on any other bike. I didn't know I was doing something wrong. What should I do to correct this?

Title: Re: Shifting without the Clutch
Post by Mortation on 03/05/09 at 18:10:40

This more than OK its encouraged to learn. I don't know much about cars but when it comes to bikes the clutches are designed to function this way. I hear it often called power shifting and as bill67 mentions it used a lot in racing.

It also comes in real handy when your clutch cable breaks :) You will get the feel for it as you go. In my GS850 I used to do it a lot because of the crotch rocket inline 4 you just couldnt help it :)

Title: Re: Shifting without the Clutch
Post by Mortation on 03/05/09 at 18:12:07

2F27282B25213427322E7474460 wrote:

[quote author=0970103C3E366C5D0 link=1236204443/0#1 date=1236205344]On the bike, if power is applied wrong, it can do odd things, like find false neutrals.

This seems to always happen to me when going into 5th gear. It has never happened to me on any other bike. I didn't know I was doing something wrong. What should I do to correct this?[/quote]

Listen to the engine as your riding. You will get to learn how it sounds at the sweet spot and you will just slide between gears. You have to drop off the throttle thoug, dont roll on it when trying to power shift.

Title: Re: Shifting without the Clutch
Post by prechermike on 03/05/09 at 18:21:19

Thanks guys. That is about what I thought, without the technical stuff.

Mike