what is your opinion on clutch-less up shifting on the savage? I have done it a couple of times with no problem but always like to hear other people's input on things

Mines hit or miss. 2nd to 3rd is usually a clunk shift with no clutch. 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th go a little smoother. I have gotten use to the 4th to 5th clutch less on the rare occasion I use 5th because it cuts down on the phantom neutral issue between the gears. I don't think at the lower gears I'm getting off the throttle enough for it to be more smooth.

My triumph I didn't use the clutch past 2nd gear but I had a jockey shift and it was an easy tap forward on the rod. I could even downshift clutch less for the same reason, easy pull back to me.

If you can shift as smoothly without the clutch as you do with the clutch - then it won't hurt anything.  If you are getting "clunk" and it is not smooth...then you are better off using the clutch as you are putting stress on the transmission, drive belt and rubber cushion in the rear hub.


My Savage doesn't like clutchless shifting.  The engine mods I have done (high compression piston, cam, carb, exhaust, etc.) make it so the engine has a lot of compression braking and acceleration - it is hard to position the throttle between shifts so the load on the drive train is small enough to allow a smooth shift without the clutch.  So...I always use the clutch on this bike.

I use the clutch all the time, every time.

I ride a few different bikes and don't want to make habits on one that wont fly on another. For example, my Honda has an assisted hydraulic slipper clutch that will make you forget the clutch lever is even there.

My vote, on a bike like the savage, use the clutch.