Shifting with/without clutch?

[Headbanger]

I do most of my shifting without using the clutch. Up mostly but often down as well. Am I the only one? Now, I know how to go wide open WITH the clutch. But for me, seldome looking for the whole shot, I do pretty well without it.

Thanks - Head Banger

[Shoei_391]

i heard its ok to upshift without it but you really really should use the clutch to downshift

[Headbanger]

Well, you really, really need to understand how tranies work to down shift w/o clutch. And I understand. Its all driven/drive gear ratios. Basically, you increase RPM's to downshift and decrease RPM's to upshift. Ive been shifting that way sense I was a kid and never shelled a gear yet. In fact, I drive most stick shift cars the same way.

I was just curious.

[pjg351]

interesting guys, mossy coaches his advanced students to change down without the clutch, he reckons you should hear the chain chatter without locking the back wheel under brake.

[yamah177]

I never shift with the clutch. I just shift on the power curve and it works well for me.

[The Baron]

Headbanger brings up a topic that makes me want to bang my head, how ironic.

Anywho, these MX bikes have what is called a "constant mesh" system where all gears are always engaged with another. Shifting without the clutch is O-alright.

[Shoei_391]

I knew that but I could of sworn you are supposed to pull the clutch in while shifting down

[Headbanger]

Baron brings up a good point as well about our tranies being of a constant mesh design, which does away with sincronizers. However, I do NOT recomend that you simply run out and start jamming gears. You still have to play RPM games to make the transition smoothly and without causing damage to the gear box. Especially on the way down!

[2000 cr250rider]

i know alot of guys dont use there clutch but i figure its there for a reason and i dont have the money if i did screw it up. so for the most part i always use it.

[cowboyona426]

I very rarely use the clutch when downshifting, never have. I've also never had any problems with doing so. In most circumstances, you should be fine clutchless shifting, but shattered trans gears are not uncommon. Just be careful!

[Bakemono]

You can downshift without using the clutch, but you should use the clutch when upshifting.

[ken_atm]

Originally Posted by Bakemono

You can downshift without using the clutch, but you should use the clutch when upshifting.

Not arguing but just curious why you would say that?

[The Baron]

I hate this topic. It's been beat to death on more than a few occasions and it always ends up the same way, some people shift without and some shift with. The "It's there for a reason" always gets said at least a few times and everyone suddenly becomes an expert on the situation.

Honestly, I don't see the point in asking other's what they do if all you are going to do is argue (not directed at anyone in particular here). I've been around MX forums for a while and have racked up tens of thousands of posts on a ton of sites and this particular topic never ends up resulting in anything more than a bunch of people arguing their points.

Shift how you please, but just like the majority of you, nothing that anyone says here is going to change the way I shift my dirt scooter.

[ossagp1]

It is there so you can put it in gear and pull away. Go out and push your bike with the clutch pulled in, and the engine dead. Get back to me on how complete you think the release will be at about 8000 rpm if you do use it, up or down.

Like B, I say if it makes you feel better, then use it.

[yz250guy]

The reason the clutch is there is so you can shift into gear when at a stop. It's also there for when you want to come to a complete stop. It's also there to help keep your RPM's where you want them for optimal power. (Feathering the clutch, etc) As far as using it to shift under power, well, that is up to the rider. It's certainly not needed, but I tend to use the clutch out of habit, since that is how I was taught. It kinda throws me out of my rhythm if I don't use it.

Like Baron said, most people are going to keep doing it the way they have always done it, but hey, I have one more post than I did before now

[The Baron]

Jumping from the 125 back to a more powerful bike is going to take some changes for me in the clutch usage area for me.

I always had a finger on the clutch with the 125 to keep it on the pipe, but the 250 doesn't need any of that, and frankly it pumps my hand up trying to work it like I did on the 125. The clutch is for power delivery more than anything, if you ask me. It's as necessary in power delivery as the throttle, especially on a lesser powered machine. As far as shifting with it, I used to clutch to downshift on my four strokes, but not because of the tranny, I used it to help control engine braking, it's that power delivery thing again.

If you ask me, if a person knows how to shift, they most certainly don't need the clutch. Letting off the throttle for a split second as you shift under full power is all that's needed to keep from missing a shift and that's about it.

[dhighlan]

Not sure if I want to dive into this one or not but here goes. I (now my preference) use the clutch for positive engagement, hate false neutrals. On the down shift I never use the clutch (shouldn't say never), only when bring it down so much it might stall. But the motor is under less load when downshifting, only when the lower gear engages does it come under more load, unless you have the throttle pinned. Again just my preference and Gary Semics.

[ossagp1]

Dhi, my son pointed that Gary Semics quote out to me years ago. Unlike you, I don't think he included the part about "unless you have the throttle pinned". Check your copy for me. I am sure it was an editing error, but should have been there.

If any of you really want to take the "load off" when you shift learn to use the kill button to shift with or do like the drag racers and get a switch that kills the bike as you shift.

[The Baron]

Originally Posted by ossagp1

Dhi, my son pointed that Gary Semics quote out to me years ago. Unlike you, I don't think he included the part about "unless you have the throttle pinned". Check your copy for me. I am sure it was an editing error, but should have been there.

If any of you really want to take the "load off" when you shift learn to use the kill button to shift with or do like the drag racers and get a switch that kills the bike as you shift.

That would be interesting to watch people try that for the first time.

[dhighlan]

Originally Posted by ossagp1

Dhi, my son pointed that Gary Semics quote out to me years ago. Unlike you, I don't think he included the part about "unless you have the throttle pinned". Check your copy for me. I am sure it was an editing error, but should have been there.

If any of you really want to take the "load off" when you shift learn to use the kill button to shift with or do like the drag racers and get a switch that kills the bike as you shift.

No he didn't say that, I did...His Idea is throttle on, or brake on, no coasting...so I think he is assuming if you're down shifting your chopping the throttle a little anyway. Atleast that is my take on it.