Shifting Question

[Tails]

On my 85 250r I've noticed when at speed I can shift it without the using the clutch. I just let off the gas and pull up with my foot into 2nd, 3rd, etc... Is this normal or will or screw something up eventually?


Tails

[thehickfarmer]

it is very normal, but if you want to save trailprotrailpro tranny for a while, i think you should start pullin the clutch

[FireHead]

The way motorcycle and ATV transmissions are designed that is perfectly fine. In fact letting off the gas and shifting is better for your drivetrain than pulling in the clutch providing you don't do it like an idiot.

[Tails]

Yeah I let off the gas when I was shifting it. I've reserved myself to only doing it those "oh trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro" moments..:)

Tails

[erussell]

I shouldn't effect the life of the tranny at all. I use the clutch when down shifting about half of the time. Never had to open a case for the tranny yet (knock on wood!).

[Lots_Of_Nothing]

HAHA, OK, lets use some COMMON sence, if this was OK and perfectly fine, WHY DID HONDA EVEN BOTHER PUTTING A CLUTCH LEVER AND CABLE ON? hahahah, when you pull in the clutch it takes all the strain off the tranny coming from the crank, so that when you shift you arent slamming gears agianst each other that are spinning and have the power coming from a crank throwing out rpm's out the ass, when you just go banging through the gears your slamming the gears against other spinning gears which will eventually equal chipped and wore gears, "power shifting" is not neccesarily banging through the gears with no clutch.....

[erussell]

This is an age old debate. If you don't use your clutch or do, it is up to you. Many riders with lots of experience go both ways.

WHY DID HONDA EVEN BOTHER PUTTING A CLUTCH LEVER AND CABLE ON? hahahah, Because you have to get it in gear after it is started and for easy starts. Ease off the gas a bit to "unload" the gears it will shift easier and puts less stress on the sifter forks.

[Tails]

Thanks for the input guys.

85ATC250R: I'm taking the same stance as I do with my firebird at the dragstrip. It gets powershifted there but when driving on the streets I use the clutch. On the trike I plan on using the clutch unless I come over some unexpexted terrain then I'll just let off the gas and shift without the clutch.

[FireHead]

The short answer to why there is a clutch lever and cable on a bike is two fold. First, the shft from neutral down into first is via a method known as dog engagment. Dog engagement means that there is nothing being done to match engine speed and output gear speed. This would be a function of a synchro. On almost all motorcycles the shift down out of neutral is like that. Intrinsically due to the design of motorcycle gear boxes, once the vehicle is underway, the engine speed and output gear speed are never that far apart. Therefore, there is no grinding or harm done to the transmision when shifted without a clutch.

Cars are another subject when it comes to this, as are Class 8 trucks.

The second reason the clutch hardware is there is as an operating principle and safety function the clutch is there as an "instant neutral," as in a way to remove power from the drivetrain. Vehicles with internal combustion engines have had this mechanism since their inception for the most part. Aircraft are the oly exception that comes to mind at the moment.

If you have read this far you are either interested in the subject or will be sending me death threats for that being the short answer. There are large books that have been written which are the long answer. To uphold my claim of being illiterate I won't write anymore here. :D

[Tails]

Firehead: Naw I understand what you're saying. I love getting into discussions like this..:) Basically on my trike there's a synchro being used for first but it's not needed for the rest of gears because the speed of the output gear and engine speed are pretty close. Unlike on a car.

Neat stuff
Tails

[C W.]

:rolleyes: If you didn't have a clutch it would be hard to get going from a dead stop du.I know the what do you have a clutch cable for then coment was sarcastic but you can shift all day long like that for the life of the bike no problem.But do not doun shift like a jack ass or you wll be hurting the motor for sure.Leting of to shift or slow doun is cool,but don,t start doun shifting and zinging the motor out to slow doun

[Tails]

Don't know who your responding too but I don't see any info here that's of a sarcastic nature. I dunno who pissed on your campfire but chill out ok??? :) Also might I suggest http://dictionary.reference.com/ for the spelling...:)


Tails

[C W.]

You can shift it that way tails.My clutch cable remark was for 85r.And was writin with out hostility for you or 85r.What he says makes sense ,I have had good luck not worying about it though.Just helping out.Ease up.What I said was true.And with bad spelling and my camp fire intact. (Peace!!!!!!!!!!)

[Tails]

Ok CW. sounds good...:)


Tails