Topic: Clutching?

[70CB750]

Do you clutch for every gear change? I catch myself quite often just going up without touching the clutch.  Like 3 to 4 or 4 to 5.

Just curious:)

[scunny]

normally only use clutch to take off and shifting down.

[WhyNot2]

what scunny said, 'cept occasionally downshift w/o it too.

[ADW]

Do you clutch for every gear change?

Yep, every time. Upshifting and downshifting.

[singedebile]

I am curious to hear more about this, I always use my clutch when shifting (though have experimented a few times not doing so)...   so I take it if you are careful you can do this without hurting the bike?

[70CB750]

My jeep can shift without clutch to once its moving.

[I Zombie]

Ah the fun of snycho-mesh gears

[MCRider]

Ah the fun of snycho-mesh gears

Er- non-synchromesh gears. These are not synchromesh transmissions. Known as "crash boxes". Also known as "constant mesh" as all gears are turning all the time.

Yes you can shift them without the clutch and at times it feels benign. But you will accelerate the wear on the shift dogs and all points of contact. ITs all a matter of degree. If you fan the clutch and give the trans some relief, the wear will be less. The better you are at meshing engine speed with land speed, the less it will wear.

but wear it will.

Its an overall technique.  There are those who always use the clutch but still do more damage when shifting than many who might not use the clutch.  I hear them decelerating in front of my house to the stop light. Bang, bang, bang.

[CycleRanger]

Er- non-synchromesh gears. These are not synchromesh transmissions. Known as "crash boxes". Also known as "constant mesh" as all gears are turning all the time.

Yes you can shift them without the clutch and at times it feels benign. But you will accelerate the wear on the shift dogs and all points of contact. It's all a matter of degree. If you fan the clutch and give the trans some relief, the wear will be less. The better you are at meshing engine speed with land speed, the less it will wear.

but wear it will.

Yeah, pretty much THIS!

[I Zombie]

damn thought i had that one right, my bad

[Gordon]

Do you clutch for every gear change?

Yep, every time. Upshifting and downshifting.

Same here.  I like my transmission. 

[madmtnmotors]

normally only use clutch to take off and shifting down.

Been doin' it this way for 60,000 trouble-free miles. 

[Gordon]

normally only use clutch to take off and shifting down.

Been doin' it this way for 60,000 trouble-free miles. 

That makes sense.  I heard the transmission doesn't explode until you hit 60,0001 miles.


On a more serious note:  Have you actually opened up the transmission to inspect the shift dogs? 

[70CB750]

I know drivers who hurt gears while clutching

If you know your vehicle, listen to the engine and watch rpms, you can shift smoothly without clutch.  I think the impact on longevity is minimal.

[chickenman_26]

... I think the impact on longevity is minimal.

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the skill (and luck) of the rider. But clutchless shifting definitely will increase wear on the gear dogs. When they're worn enough, you'll know it. Classic symptom is popping out of gear and into a false neutral when accelerating hard. At that point, any repair will require a complete engine and transmission strip down and costly gear replacement. If it's that important to someone to not use the clutch, I guess I'm missing something.

Stu