Clutch or no Clutch?

[pauldun170]

Do you normally upshift with the clutch or without?
If yes,

Model\Year:
Miles you have put on it:
Any general comments: ex. "Normally avoid clutchless shifting on 1-2 shift"

Optional: Include pic of a random member's ass.

[lauralynne]

99 superhawk (30,000 miles) - no clutch during upshift - sometimes from 1-2 through neutral just depends.

2nd gen SV650 race bike (miles unknown) - no clutch during upshift ever


Ass picture:

[Homeslice]

Always clutch, no matter the bike. I don't see the advantage of clutchless shifting. Tried it many times, didn't like how jerky it was, and didn't see the point in continuing.

[KSGregman]

I always use the clutch...no exceptions.

Model\Year: Suzuki M109-R - 2007
Miles you have put on it: All of them.... ~ 13,000
Any general comments: This bike is notorious for rough shifting...particularly from 1st to 2nd....I always use the clutch to try and smooth it out. *shrug*

I never used the clutch on upshifts on my 2004 Suzuki GSX-R750.

[defector]

My bikes: clutch on upshift on the street only.
My kids bikes: no clutch on upshifts. Ever. Track only.

Bikes:
Mine - '01 929rr (street, almost 40k), '07 600rr (track only) 15k miles maybe.
Kid - '04 (?) RS125, '06 (?) RS450R no clue on how many miles.

[Dave]

2003 honda cbr 954rr. 10,000 miles. Clutch on 1-2 clutchless ups anytime after. I do it on all of my bikes

Always clutch, no matter the bike. I don't see the advantage of clutchless shifting. Tried it many times, didn't like how jerky it was, and didn't see the point in continuing.

If it jerks you did it wrong.

[Riceaholic]

01' gsxr-1000
47000 on the clock and I always use the clutch.

[Homeslice]

If it jerks you did it wrong.

Put a little upward pressure on the shifter, then quickly roll off the gas and back on again. That's how everyone told me to do it, the problem is when you get back on the gas, it's jerky. Also I have heard rumors that it can wear the transmission. Whether or not that's actually true, I don't really care, since the ability to shift clutchless is not a big deal to me. I mean seriously, why do you guys do it on the street? So you can leave one hand on your hip? I don't get it.

[marko138]

Always use the clutch. Try clutchless shifting on a XB...it'll sound like a Peterbuilt banging through gears.


Zuk, sometimes I did not use clutch. Was much smoother.



And Slice...you don't roll the throttle all the way closed. Just back off a touch, shift and back on. It's smooth as with a clutch if you do it right.

[goof2]

01 R6 with 13,500 or so miles.

I always use the clutch since there is no advantage to me to not use the clutch with my riding style.

[Dave]

Put a little upward pressure on the shifter, then quickly roll off the gas and back on again. That's how everyone told me to do it, the problem is when you get back on the gas, it's jerky. Also I have heard rumors that it can wear the transmission. Whether or not that's actually true, I don't really care, since the ability to shift clutchless is not a big deal to me. I mean seriously, why do you guys do it on the street? So you can leave one hand on your hip? I don't get it.

I ride 2up a lot. Smoother shifts = less helmet banging and other such nonsense. Besides its a hell of a lot of fun when you get it right. Like marko said, its a very slight very quick reduction in throttle and go right back into it. Wrist should barely even move

[CrazyKell]

Always clutch.

2006 ZX6

30,000 kms on it.

[DLIT]

Only go clutchless if I'm beating the shit outta the throttle. Just cruising around, I always use it. Always use it between 1 & 2, regardless.

On both the R1 and R6. 11.5k on the R6 and 2k on the R1.

[EpyonXero]

Usually shift with the clutch. Sometimes I shift commando.

2003 VFR
30-something thousand miles.

[Cutty72]

Like Dlit. If I'm really on it, I sometimes go clutchless.

08 1125R w/ 10,xxx
05 SV650S w/15,xxx

[t-homo]

2000 R1. 51K miles, 10K from me.

Always use the clutch from 1-2, but then i typically go clutchless.

[HurricaneHeather]

Usually use the clutch unless I am being lazy or drag racing.

None of my bikes have working clutches...or engines for that matter. :lol:

[Particle Man]

Always. I figure the folks at Suzuki were nice enough to include one that I oughta use it. :)

[Captain Morgan]

I voted always clutchless, but it's more like "mostly clutchless." I've found that I generally have to use clutch from 1-2 on the street because the tranny will sometimes pop back down into neutral. It also depends on how I'm riding. If I'm riding in a situation where the RPM's are climbing slowly, I'll go ahead and use the clutch, however, that is rarely the case, so I'm normally clutchless.

It's an '09 V-strom with 4.6k on it.

[azoomm]

At work right now

Always clutch the work bike -
2010 R1200RTP
~2000 miles

After hours bike - never use clutch - but it has gear-shift-assist.
2010 BMW S1000RR
~1000 miles

[racedoll]

Model\Year: ZX6RR\2004
Miles you have put on it:17,900
Any general comments: always use a clutch

Try clutchless shifting on a XB...it'll sound like a Peterbuilt banging through gears.

:lol:

[OTB]

For whatever it is worth; I have used clutchless up and downshifting for everything (except for two Harleys) but the 1-2 shift since 1970something. I have owned and ridden a multitude of bikes, several 70+k miles....

I have NEVER needed to replace a clutch or gearbox on a streetbike......

Not once....never.....

(I have smoked my share of clutches on the track, however......)

[marko138]

For whatever it is worth; I have used clutchless up and downshifting for everything (except for two Harleys) but the 1-2 shift since 1970something. I have owned and ridden a multitude of bikes, several 70+k miles....

I have NEVER needed to replace a clutch or gearbox on a streetbike......

Not once....never.....

(I have smoked my share of clutches on the track, however......)
Did you go clutchless on my Buell when you rode it? :lol:

[101lifts2]

For whatever it is worth; I have used clutchless up and downshifting for everything (except for two Harleys) but the 1-2 shift since 1970something. I have owned and ridden a multitude of bikes, several 70+k miles....

I have NEVER needed to replace a clutch or gearbox on a streetbike......

Not once....never.....

(I have smoked my share of clutches on the track, however......)

Yeah...if you don't use the clutch you shouldn't have to replace it..What a concept.:lol

I always release the clutch during shifting, but only a slight tug on the lever. Every track school I've been to recommends releasing the clutch during shifting becuase of the consistency.

I've had too many bikes and ridden too many miles.

[Captain Morgan]

Yeah...if you don't use the clutch you shouldn't have to replace it..What a concept.:lol


He also says he's never had to replace a gearbox, which I think is the key part of the statement. And with putting 70k miles on bikes, it doesn't sound like it's detrimental to not use the clutch.

[Dnyce]

do it right, all is well. good skill to have, whether or not u use it all the time.

[z06boy]

Always used the clutch on R1 with 12,500 miles on it. 11,500 on the R6 and clutch has always been used.

I've owned close to 10 or so bikes and have always used the clutch.

Did you go clutchless on my Buell when you rode it? :lol:

:rofl:

[OTB]

Yeah...if you don't use the clutch you shouldn't have to replace it..What a concept.:lol


'Cept for starting and stopping, idling, waiting at stop signs and lights, ......

Did you go clutchless on my Buell when you rode it? :lol:
Did you hear the earth move.....

[marko138]

'Cept for starting and stopping, idling, waiting at stop signs and lights, ......


Did you hear the earth move.....
Thought that was just the Drummer pipe.

[No Worries]

I love fanning the clutch, and use it for every shift. For me, it's just another part of motorcycling that makes it fun, and different from riding a cage. Plus, most right-handers have a dominant left brain. By using the clutch and shifter in perfect unison, my right brain gets a workout.

[DLIT]

At work right now

Always clutch the work bike -
2010 R1200RTP
~2000 miles

After hours bike - never use clutch - but it has gear-shift-assist.
2010 BMW S1000RR
~1000 miles

Rode a S1000RR the other day. Just to see how the shift-assist (BMW's version of a quick-shifter) worked. Worked really well. I wasn't raping the throttle, but even down low (around 4-5k) it was still smooth. Great bike.