Shifting without the clutch

[Blown 331]

To you guys that ride sport models. Do you think it is ok to shift with out the clutch? I personally never do and I never will but I hear of lots of people that do it. What do you guys think?

[Power_Ram100]

I was also wondering the same thing. Sometimes dont use the clutch when shifting. I heard its bad to down shift without using the clutch. Is there any truth to that?

[Lots_Of_Nothing]

This topic has been beaten to death and argued about many times.. Do a search and im sure you'll see.

me, I say.. The clutch is part of an engine for a reason. They didnt put it on there just to take off, and for good looks. When you shift without it, all your doing is putting stress on the tranny and shifting forks.

Now, I'm sure you'll get plenty of intelligent :rolleyes: :wondering replys saying it doesnt hurt anything, and that they never use it except for take-off. :rolleyes:

Use some common sence, and think about what the clutch does, and I'm sure you will see why it is there.

[Blown 331]

I just tried a search and found this. I guess I should have done that first. It's not that old of a thread either, surprised I missed it.

http://www.3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=32826&highlight=shifting+clutch

Kinda scary buying a used ATV. I'm looking for a 350X but I really don't want on that's been shifted with out the clutch for years. I know a lot of people think it's ok. It's nice to know my 450 has NEVER once been shifted with out the clutch.

[BIGCRIP28]

i did it a couple times just to try it but i always use the clutch.

[Kintore]

i did it a couple times just to try it but i always use the clutch.

I second that. If they put a clutch on there there is a reason for it I think.
When I use it, I feel better than speed shifting her. 19 years old and still original clutch. Just my 2 cents.

[Billy Golightly]

I'll do it, but only when I've got my clutch hand holding something and I can't get to the lever.

[Blown 331]

I'll do it, but only when I've got my clutch hand holding something and I can't get to the lever.

Like holding a beer in your left hand? :eek:

[Billy Golightly]

Hahaha na, like going and getting the mail, bringing a helmet to someone, chainsaw if I'm cutting trails, ect :p

[AZ250R]

I'll do it, but only when I've got my clutch hand holding something and I can't get to the lever.
Same here, but I'm not really "get'n on it" either. Just rev'n slowly & shift'n when I feel its right (sound / rev feel, ya know), low and behold it shifts just as smooth as with the clutch ride'n like that. :beer

[84honda 200X]

The only time i **** with out the clutch is when my clutch cable breaks or im holding somethin in my hand. I think if you did it alot it would mess something up. I have a friend that had a warrior and he never used the clutch and the tranny ended up getting all chewed up and broke.

[RideRed250R]

when i ride i use my clutch, just my opinion, hey its your bike and your money if you screw up so do what you want. when i drag race ill speed shift, its faster i think, but it does put a strain on the motor and tranny. as long as your quick with it you should be good, but use your clutch.
adam

[jenndnn3]

If you know how to shift and when to shift, It doesnt matter if you use a clutch or not, it wont mess anything up. Now if you dont, I dont care if you use a clutch or not you will mess things up.

[OldSchoolin86]

When I'm racing through the woods I do all sorts of things with the clutch. Sometimes I use it and sometimes I don't but most of the time I'm just using some of if. Kinda feathering in a little when needed.

[ewalker302]

If you know how to shift and when to shift, It doesnt matter if you use a clutch or not, it wont mess anything up. Now if you dont, I dont care if you use a clutch or not you will mess things up.


Exactly.

If you don't feel comfortable shifting without the clutch, then dont do it.

If you have enough experience on the bike, you know what rpm range the gears are synched in, and can up and downshift without the clutch all day long without causing any wear or harm.

"It's there for a reason" is meaningless, of course it's there for a reason just like the emergency brake and tool box.

I would not want to ride any sport bike without a clutch, but can shift without it when the conditions are right.

[shudup]

If you dont use the clutch it can wear out the engagement dogs making the trany pop out of gear.

If you have ever had or heard of someone's motorcycle poping out of gear it probley is from this

The transmission gears lock together with a series of "dogs' or "dogs and slots" The photo above shows several of the dogs engaged together so that both gears turn together. Under hard use and if clutch is not used, the gears can began to separate until the dogs become disengaged, this causes the transmission to jump out of gear.

Now notice in the photo the dogs that are in the circle. They both have angles cut on them where they meet. This causes them to lock together. They cannot separate without first backing up to unload the angles. This is an undercut. This is done to prevent gears from wearing out as easy when raced.

I had this done on my GSXR .

Hope this helps.

[bonkers_200s]

6 one and half dozen the other, there are just as many people with burned trannys, as there are perfectly good trannys that shift either way.

Drive a tractor/trailer and use the clutch, watch as your rpms fall and you find yourself down shifting 7 gears(give or take, transmission depending), but an atv motor with out a million pounds in tow, is a different story, unless you're racing, or in an uh-oh spot and have too react quickly, it wont break any of your metatarsals pulling it in.

[83185s]

i only did it a few times and that was because i was holding the choke off so it would stay running...that was it tho..then i zip tied the choke down so i could use the clutch..lol wasnt workin out to good..in the woods especially since i have no brakes

[wheelie king]

NEVER when under hard acceleration or deceleration, And only if comfortable on your bike and you know and can feel where the "sweet" spots are. Did it casually on my 1994 Katana 750 3 years, and sold it to a friend-- it's still tight as a drum today on the stock tranny AND clutch. :Bounce

[03 ORANGE SHEE]

off subject, but my shee has an override trans, it shifts itself at a preset rpm (w.o.t.), i only use the clutch to take off at the tree, after that hold on!, but with mine i have to come to a full stop to downshift

[jenndnn3]

If you dont use the clutch it can wear out the engagement dogs making the trany pop out of gear.

If you have ever had or heard of someone's motorcycle poping out of gear it probley is from this

The transmission gears lock together with a series of "dogs' or "dogs and slots" The photo above shows several of the dogs engaged together so that both gears turn together. Under hard use and if clutch is not used, the gears can began to separate until the dogs become disengaged, this causes the transmission to jump out of gear.



Hope this helps.

I am sorry But I will disagree. It is the non matching of the rpms that causes it. You get that from yes bad shifting, improperly adjusted clutches, worn clutches ,EWW im gonna start one here "feathering your clutch". If your 2 gears at equal rpms they will match. You get bad when one shaft has to catch up with the other. A clutch basically helps you achieve that. It allows each shaft to catch up to each other, which ever way. It is not the answer all tho you simply cannot downshift from 5 to first and expect a fluid ride, nor up shift from 2 to fifth and not expect it get right there, the shafts have to match to the gears. Very few people know when this is in effect. Here is a nice learning artical I came upon a while back. Have read good stuff. He just a much better job of explianing then I ever could.

http://www.vf750fd.com/blurbs/shifting.html

[Troll 2]

Feel free to shift either way. I dont clutch on gear changes. Just looking at the design of the trans gears tells alot. Sure dont see why a clutch is needed for proper engagement. Got the air R's cases split now for crank bearings............... :naughty:
Heres a cool link for a full throttle shifter http://www.holeshot.com/shifters/ps2.html

[KayodicWeazel]

I think it'll only mess your tranny up if you do it under throttle... but then again, shifting under throttle is always bad...

[OldSchoolin86]

I am sorry But I will disagree. It is the non matching of the rpms that causes it. You get that from yes bad shifting, improperly adjusted clutches, worn clutches ,EWW im gonna start one here "feathering your clutch". If your 2 gears at equal rpms they will match. You get bad when one shaft has to catch up with the other. A clutch basically helps you achieve that. It allows each shaft to catch up to each other, which ever way. It is not the answer all tho you simply cannot downshift from 5 to first and expect a fluid ride, nor up shift from 2 to fifth and not expect it get right there, the shafts have to match to the gears. Very few people know when this is in effect. Here is a nice learning artical I came upon a while back. Have read good stuff. He just a much better job of explianing then I ever could.

http://www.vf750fd.com/blurbs/shifting.html
Feathering the clutch has NOTHING to do with it, it's the other stuff you mentioned.

EDIT: A worn clutch (as in worn plates) won't do it either.

[shudup]

Feel free to shift either way. I dont clutch on gear changes. Just looking at the design of the trans gears tells alot. Sure dont see why a clutch is needed for proper engagement. Got the air R's cases split now for crank bearings............... :naughty:
Heres a cool link for a full throttle shifter http://www.holeshot.com/shifters/ps2.html

A electric or air shifter kills the engine when it shifts the bike so there is not alot load on the trany acting like the clutch does .
Basicly you need to take the load off the trany when you shift or it wears the dogs as is stated in the article that Jenn posted the link to.