Clutchless upshifting ?

[Freza]

Do you do it and does it do any harm to the gearbox ?

[JoeRock]

Yes, and no, provided it's done properly!


Only time I really use the clutch going up is from 1-2 on my ninja as that's basically pulling off, rest of the time i tend to just clutchless upshift

[fazersharp]

I might have a go at this --- is it the same as useing the clutch as in off revs change, and is it a matter of feeling for the right revs and why would I want to do it (not being funny)

[bigralphie]

Yes I have too with my gutless underpowered shed, only way to get it to buck up 

[Freza]

I never tried it (should I feel ashamed?), but I'll definitely give it a go.

[JoeRock]

I might have a go at this --- is it the same as useing the clutch as in off revs change, and is it a matter of feeling for the right revs and why would I want to do it (not being funny)

yes, but you only have to twitch the revs down a bit, put a teeny bit of pressure on the lever and if you get it right it'll snick in lovely and smoothly. Basically means you can full throttle accelerate continuously through the gears without wasting time changing gears!

[fazersharp]

Thinking about it I dont think I pull the clutch in fully anyway when getting a move on------------- perhaps I half shift

[mr self destruct]

This video helped me a lot:

Smoother gear Changing, gear shifting on your motorcycle.

[Chris]

I always use the clutch between 1 and 2 and use the clutch between 2 and 3 in town as the revs are generally lower and therefore is very sensitive so if you get it wrong it can give a bit of a clunk. The rest of the time I shift up without clutch. Slight pressure under gear lever with foot then back of throttle for a split second, the gear snicks up and then you're back on the power. Takes a bit of practice to get it smooth but it feels sooo good when you get it.

Chris

[Frosties]

I always use the clutch between 1 and 2 and use the clutch between 2 and 3 in town as the revs are generally lower and therefore is very sensitive so if you get it wrong it can give a bit of a clunk. The rest of the time I shift up without clutch. Slight pressure under gear lever with foot then back of throttle for a split second, the gear snicks up and then you're back on the power. Takes a bit of practice to get it smooth but it feels sooo good when you get it.

Chris

Totally agree with Chris - well described fella. In town clutch 2nd to 3rd, out of town clutch only 1st to 2nd. Slight pressure under the gear lever is the key. Makes a smoother ride I find especially with a pillion.

[bigbluebear]

I always use the clutch between 1 and 2 and use the clutch between 2 and 3 in town as the revs are generally lower and therefore is very sensitive so if you get it wrong it can give a bit of a clunk. The rest of the time I shift up without clutch. Slight pressure under gear lever with foot then back of throttle for a split second, the gear snicks up and then you're back on the power. Takes a bit of practice to get it smooth but it feels sooo good when you get it.

Chris

Totally agree with Chris - well described fella. In town clutch 2nd to 3rd, out of town clutch only 1st to 2nd. Slight pressure under the gear lever is the key. Makes a smoother ride I find especially with a pillion.

Works really well when your hammering it through the gears and sounds great too

[Freza]

Just tried it, works perfectly smooth.
Kind of a "DIY" quickshifter 

[fazersharp]

This video helped me a lot:

If he would just shut up for a second I might be able to hear the engine

[Chris]

it's the blipping on the downshifts that I still haven't mastered properly yet, sometimes get it spot on and other times it's a complete mess. All about practice though and everything that helps you stay smoother and not unsettle the balance of the bike is a good thing.

Chris

[Frosties]

Just tried it, works perfectly smooth.
Kind of a "DIY" quickshifter 

Lesson number 1 is now complete. Lesson number 2 involves the same principle but with the bike off the centre stand 

[Chris]

Just tried it, works perfectly smooth.
Kind of a "DIY" quickshifter 

Lesson number 1 is now complete. Lesson number 2 involves the same principle but with the bike off the centre stand 

 

[mr self destruct]

it's the blipping on the downshifts that I still haven't mastered properly yet, sometimes get it spot on and other times it's a complete mess. All about practice though and everything that helps you stay smoother and not unsettle the balance of the bike is a good thing.

Chris

There's a definite knack to it, and I've not mastered it yet. 

[bigralphie]

If you push with your thumb and pull with your middle fingers its easier to blip the throttle for me
though one has a slipper clutch and does not need to blip now 

[Millietant]

Like most others, I only use the clutch for 1st to 2nd gear changes (and 2nd to 1st) - otherwise IRS clutch less all the way.


I've done this on all my bikes over the last 37 years and whilst every one has been a joy on up shifts, a couple have been pigs to master on downshifts (older Honda SOHC fours were the worst).


Downshift wise, my RSV is the easiest for a beautifully smooth shift and I reckon the Fazer 600 is the easiest (non 2 stroke) for smooth up shifts.


It's all about matching revs and throttle, together with a quick "snick" of the pedal.

[fazersharp]

I have had ago today (upshift) and some times it just wont move at all - other times its a "jolt" and then when I think about how I change gear ( when getting a move on) I do exactly the same -- its a flick of the throttle and the clutch is hardly in so I am sort of half clutchles changing, I got it right once and was smooth but ther rest of the time there was a jolt but i dont think I am going to be any quicker clutchless than the way I already ride.
Down shifting with a blip though I do without thinking and somtimes with two fingers on the front brake too

[wickedmonkey]

I have tried this before and found it jerky (maybe I was chopping the throttle off too much?) but I tried again on the way home last night and most of the upshifts felt good. I found the smoothest RPM to do this was around 5-6k I think but it was difficult to tell as I was watching the road, etc.

Anyone have any suggestions for ideal revs to upshift at?

What about this? Seems like kind of a compromise:

MXTV Rider Tip - Race changes

[fazersharp]

when I did get it right I found that I had to be getting a move on and the revs were mor like 6-7 k as anything under the shift just wouldnt move

[Frosties]

when I did get it right I found that I had to be getting a move on and the revs were mor like 6-7 k as anything under the shift just wouldnt move

Think you could probably do with a bit more pressure on the gear lever - I'm used to short shifting round London at about 3k Rpm. Give it a go fella.

[fazersharp]

when I did get it right I found that I had to be getting a move on and the revs were mor like 6-7 k as anything under the shift just wouldnt move

Think you could probably do with a bit more pressure on the gear lever - I'm used to short shifting round London at about 3k Rpm. Give it a go fella.

3k ?? is that on fzs 600 I wonder if it has anything to do with mine being a "98" as they are a bit unique in other areas too.

[Chris]

maybe just need to back off more so the engine speed can match up then it'll change. I find the lower down the revs the harder it is to get it smooth.

Chris