Clutchless Shifting

[richw]

Anything a racer racing does that he thinks makes him quicker is justified.

When we had a prostocker it was airshifted with back cut dogs


Well its certainly a shame that all those stupid car companies bother with auto transmissions when a solenoid would be just as good.

I attempt to syncronize my clutch shifts as well.

[TTD]

Anything a racer racing does that he thinks makes him quicker is justified.

Personally, though... I would never do this if I thought it harmed the bike, or accelerated wear... even for lower lap times.

I have a gene in my body that doesn't let me abuse stuff.

I assumed that if something actually feels smoother, then it can't be harmful?

[Awesome]

Riding the bike is really the worst thing you can do for it. It wears down all the parts. You should just buy it and put it in an air tight humidity controlled chamber.

[RandyO]

Riding the bike is really the worst thing you can do for it. It wears down all the parts.

Ain't that the truth, my SV is proof

[OreoGaborio]

Riding the bike is really the worst thing you can do for it. It wears down all the parts. You should just buy it and put it in an air tight humidity controlled chamber.

DAMNIT!!!! I knew i was doing it wrong

[TheIglu]

I already hit enough false neutrals between 5th and 6th right at the start/finish line as is with using the clutch. I'll stick with my smooth-lever.

Tranny on the KLR loves clutchless shifting. BwAAP-Bwaaaaaa

[KB]

I just keep it pinned and slamm em. It's a motard afterall isn't that how it's posed to be done?

KB

[Adrenalinechic]

just tried it out and wow, what a difference! i can pick my nose and shift at the same time (kidding!).

one question...if you have to upshift in the middle of a turn, clutchless is a bad idea b/c you have to roll off the throttle to kick it up?

[SSearchVT]

Shifting in the middle of a turn is a bad idea anyway. Even using the clutch you upset the balance of the bike (or car).

[SSearchVT]

Well its certainly a shame that all those stupid car companies bother with auto transmissions when a solenoid would be just as good.

I attempt to syncronize my clutch shifts as well.

Got to drive my neighbors M3 with an SMG - BMW has it real close, it even speed matches on a downshift.

[Kitt]

just tried it out and wow, what a difference! i can pick my nose and shift at the same time (kidding!).

one question...if you have to upshift in the middle of a turn, clutchless is a bad idea b/c you have to roll off the throttle to kick it up?

use your clutch, don't shift around turns, try to avoid braking in a turn by entering the turn at 5000 rpm or more, this way you have some engine braking to apply if necessary.

[Adrenalinechic]

use your clutch, don't shift around turns, try to avoid braking in a turn by entering the turn at 5000 rpm or more, this way you have some engine braking to apply if necessary.

well i know it's not a good idea to do it regularly, but it's something they had us practice in the MSF course (2-3 mid corner).

[Kitt]

well i know it's not a good idea to do it regularly, but it's something they had us practice in the MSF course (2-3 mid corner).

oh yea, you're on the road now!!! eeeeeeek, time to sell mine

let me know when you wanna go for a ride.

[RandyO]

just tried it out and wow, what a difference! i can pick my nose and shift at the same time (kidding!).

one question...if you have to upshift in the middle of a turn, clutchless is a bad idea b/c you have to roll off the throttle to kick it up?

I find that ususally when your upshifting in a turn, it's either someting real tight that you shifted down too much before entry and now your rpms are putting out too much hp for your lean angle

or a long sweeper,

in situation # 1 I would use clutch in # 2 the long sweeper, I might shift clutchless, you don't have to roll of the throttle that much just a momentary "unblip" and the shifter will snick to the next gear

[TTD]

Just went for a quick spin to get my bike inspected... and here are some thoughts.

- I do not accelerate hard enough on the street to make me comfy with using clutchless upshifts. Not that it didn't shift fine, but I can do it much smoother with the clutch and my theory is always "the smoother, the better". So I will continue using it on the street.

- The reverse is true on the track. I tried using the clutch and it was worse or no better. Again, the difference is that I'm at full throttle on the track... and returning to full throttle after the "blip". On the street I never go close to full throttle.

- As for shifting in the corner, on the street you should never... or hardly ever... need to shift in a corner (at least not when leaned way over). If you're lightly leaned over, then shift away (but as mentioned above, I would use the clutch for smoothness since you are likely not accelerating real hard).

- I do clutchless upshifts out of Turn 3/4 at the track every lap while leaned over... bike doesn't even notice.

- Final thought... the street sucks.

[Ken C]

You can most definitely shift in a corner. True, it's best not to have to, but realistically, it has to be done smetimes. Smooth is the key. MSF does indeed teach shifting UP while leaning, because they know it's a needed skill.

Looka t the videos ont eh Track day website and you'll hear me upshifting while leaned over coming out of T3/4 with NO clutch.

Mid corner DOWNshifts are a big NO NO!

[Ken600RR]

The april issue of Sport Rider Mag has an article on clutchless shifting. Its a pretty good read. I had heard about it a long time ago but only really started doing it recently. Mainly going from 2-6gear if im hauling ass on the highway. It's suprisingly smooth if its done right. Sometimes it catches me but 9-10 times its on point.
The article says that if " done correctly" it wont do any damage to the transmission.

[nilez]

soooooooooo... sorry to revive a thread that's older than my god-daughter, but what's the final consensus on clutchless shifting??? Specifically as it pertains to me.

I was riding earlier today and it dawned on me that at least half of my up-shifts are clutchless. The majority of those are accelerating onto the highway. I'm pretty sure I even clutchless shift from 1-2, and have never missed 2nd and gotten stuck in neutral while clutchless shifting, but distinctly remember missing 2nd while using the clutch at times (go ahead and make fun, I suck at shifting, haa haaa).

While none of my clutchless shifts are under WOT on the street, I don't tend to do it unless I'm under definite acceleration e.g. entering the highway, or pulling away from a stop light at a quick pace. For the most part, I'm just lazy and rather ride with my left hand on my hip (that and my rear turn signals are inop, so I point with my left hand at the next lane over as I change ).

So, am I harming the R1 or is it all good?

[csmutty]

It's all good. Might cause some very slight premature wear in the tranny. But nothing to worry about.

[R1]

I beat the shit outta my hyper everyday if not using the clutch is a problem. i only use it sitting at lights.

[nilez]

Outfreakinstanding. I'll continue to not use my clutch. Thanks!

[R1]

Outfreakinstanding. I'll continue to not use my clutch. Thanks!

Get to enjoy the fun traffic yesterday?

[butcher bergs]

Only real harm a rider will do is if they miss the shift and try to jam it. Other than that, the shift fork pads are about the only thing one is "abusing" when preloading for a clutchless upshift.

[CBR929RE]

I didn't read this whole thing but any vehicle with a clutch can be shifted without using the clutch. as long as you do it right you won't hurt anything. basically if you don't hear any grinding or clunking noise then you're doing it right.

[tsorfas]

i havent found clutchless shifting necessary in the track yet, but im not fast enough for it to make any difference to me yet.
its not dragster. thats just my opinion