Shifting w/out Clutch

B

beckyf09

New member
I have driven for years without using the clutch, up and down shifting. I have never been worried about damaging the clutch as I figure you can't damage it if you dont use it.

That being said, my 08' 848, is the first brand new bike I have ever purchased, and it has made me wonder about other parts of the bike. Again, I have been doing this for years, and my transitions are smooth, but is there any longterm affects on other parts of the bike that I have not considered when shifting without using the clutch?
 
You do understand that by not pulling the clutch lever in, you are only using the clutch because when you pull the clutch lever in, it is disengaging the clutch. So saying "can't hurt it if you don't use it" doesn't apply here at all.


There have been lots of topics on upshifting without the clutch. Do a search and you will be able to read lots of info.

I am also wondering how you have spent years not using the clutch for down shifts and never had a problem, unless you always run a slipper clutch on your bikes, even then you would have issues. Upshifting clutchless is one thing, down-shifting is a whole different situation. It can be done but not usually very well for street riding.
 
What IK is trying to tell you is that you have been riding for years without using the clutch LEVER..

** Hey Brooksy, I'd like to nominate IK for the "Anal Technical Corrections" Department.. **

You won't damage the 'clutch assy' by not using it, you MAY run the risk of damaging the internals of the gearbox if you don't do it well. Can't be sure about the 848 but most of the other ducs run straight cut gears so there is no real issue IF YOU DO IT WELL.

You said you've been doing it for years.. I guess you're doing it pretty well then..

Keep going.. all good.

IK.. Actually if you are doing it right it makes little difference up or down without using the lever. If you have trouble I'd suggest you're not blipping the throttle well enough or your too slow at it. Ever heard of Double De-clutching?? That's essentially what we're faking with the blip. I can regularly do it up or down even on the roll up to traffic lights.. ahh.. but finding neutral at the lights is tricky.. not impossible but tricky..
 
My point about doing it on the the street is when coming to a stop, you're putting way to much strees on your gears and brakes my braking while blipping the throttle with the clutch fully engaged. And you can do damage the clutch assembly by putting burn spots on the surface if you get the gears to move around.
 
In the "For what its worth" department, (having just attended) the Schwantz school advocates clutchless upshifting and clutching during downshifting with a throttle blip to match rpm speed...
 
RAD said it best. upshifting has been easy to learn, and down shifting to a stop is done by a quick throttle blip.

Thanks for the info guys, this technique on my last 900ss allowed me to go for 28k miles before having to worry about changing the master cylinder, and even then still remained with original stock clutch assy, (& Lever)
 
Back
Top