When do you clutch shift?

[PizzaMonster]

The option I need to answer your poll isn't there.

How about adding "Some of the time"?

When I'm riding harder than normal I use the clutch.  I find under hard acceleration I can shift faster without releasing the throttle and just quickly pulling in the clutch about 1/3 the way. (Makes for neat little wheelies in between gears too)  .    I also like to try and match the engine revs by blipping the throttle on downshifts although I have to admit that if I feel I'm in over my head going into a turn it sometimes is a bit too much multi-tasking for my limited skills.  Then I might use the clutch to avoid totally screwing up.    The more I ride the more I am finding that not using the clutch on downshifts is much smoother and upsets the rear less (but only if done properly!)

When I'm just enjoying myself around town or cruising easily on the highway I may or may not use the clutch except for starting off, the 1-2 shift or when I feel lazy.  I enjoy the feeling of being "at-one" with the machine and gently sliding it in and out between gears with out a sound and listening to the engine noise rising and falling.  I spent quite a few years driving trucks and buses with straight-cut crash-box transmissions where you always had to carefully time your shifts so.  Old habits die hard I guess. .

[darkduke]

I always clutch it. It's surprising how quick you can shift with it after a while of practice. Besides, the idea of ruining a gear box makes me shudder a little.

[duc996]

I use mine most of the time,except upshifts.Works for me.

[Bizzarrini]

Not to thread-jack or anything, but I've got a question regarding the clutchless upshifting. I was at a trackday a couple of weeks ago, and had some problems shifting to 6th gear when not using the clutch. What could be the problem? I was preloading the lever quite heavily. Maybe not enough flick of the wrist? Or could there be gearbox problems? If so, how can I check? I've noticed while riding on the street that clutchless upshifting seems easier for me if I don't preload, but just release the throttle a bit, and then push the shifter up. Maybe my problem with the preloading was not releasing the shifter fully after selecting a gear? I've also noticed while riding another monster that, in comparison, my gearbox seems a bit sloppy. The other bike gave me crisper changes. Any thoughts?

Thanks a bunch!

[topspin_flyer]

You all should try clutchless downshifting, I am surprized nobody is really talking about it.  Just blip the throttle as you downshift and it will work quite nicely when you get the timing down. You can read about it in the Total Control book, where they explain in detail the techniques for speed shifting as well.  And blipping the throttle sounds way cool too!  Once you learn it you will never go back.

Also, on the upshifts you will need to use the clutch to get out of first gear because it is just too jerky without the clutch, but beyond that clutchless upshifting or speed shifting is pretty neat.

[mstevens]

I've messed around a bit with clutchless downshifts and must say I was pretty surprised at my success given that I'm such a noob. For me, though, it's a novelty rather than something that's of practical use on the street.

[DesmoDiva]

You all should try clutchless downshifting, I am surprized nobody is really talking about it.  Just blip the throttle as you downshift and it will work quite nicely when you get the timing down. You can read about it in the Total Control book, where they explain in detail the techniques for speed shifting as well.  And blipping the throttle sounds way cool too!  Once you learn it you will never go back.

Also, on the upshifts you will need to use the clutch to get out of first gear because it is just too jerky without the clutch, but beyond that clutchless upshifting or speed shifting is pretty neat.

Learned this technique from Lee this past weekend at the Level II Total control class.  It was so much fun.  When you do it right, you don't even notice the shift. 

I never realized how clutched shifting upsets the suspension so much.  I'm a complete convert from always using the clutch, to speed clutching and clutchless downshifting. 

[Ducatista]

I never realized how clutched shifting upsets the suspension so much.

+1 

Each time you pull in that lever, it makes everything a bit lighter, which is bad no matter which way you slice it.  Lighter=smaller contact patches and loss of inputs=

[uclabiker06]

Tried it for the first time today:  1st to 2nd is too jerky for comfort,  but after that there were a couple shifts that were so smooth that I didn't even notice it. 
So I will be using this technique from 2nd up; mainly because my left wrist will be more comfortable.  I heard that if its done correctly your clutch lasts longer which makes sense because you don't use it.  I also heard that if you master this technique then your clutch induced shifts will be better, which also makes sense.

A quick shifter basically works by sensing when you push down the shift lever (for GP shift) for an upshift and it momentarily cuts the throttle to give you the blip to complete the shift without using the clutch.

Can anyone comment from experience how much easier clutchless shifting is with a quick shifter;  is it really worth the money?  From my understanding Dynojet is the only company that sells this device and you have to remap after you install it.  Just wonder if its really worth it.  I don't think it is for street riding; maybe for the track.

[johnster]

You all should try clutchless downshifting, I am surprized nobody is really talking about it. 

The one time I did, it scared the crap out of me!! The rear wheel hopped, and it felt like I was shredding the gearbox. I'm usually pretty good @ blipping the throttle + can downshift from 5th to 2nd in a matter of seconds, but clutchless downshifting is just to easy to screw up IMO...

9 times out of 10, I'll just slightly pull the clutch in with 1 or 2 fingers just to help "snick" up to the next gear, but I rarely pull it all the way in, unless I'm at a stop.

[Ducatista]

Can anyone comment from experience how much easier clutchless shifting is with a quick shifter;  is it really worth the money?  From my understanding Dynojet is the only company that sells this device and you have to remap after you install it.  Just wonder if its really worth it.  I don't think it is for street riding; maybe for the track.

No FHE, but maybe I can get Stillie to chime in.  It saves a fraction of a second on each upshift.  All those fractions save TONS of time on the track on each lap.  He said it makes shifting stupid easy.  That said, the DynoJet quick shifters are not intended for street use and the literature indicates that. 

[Stillie]

I have no idea what quickshifter works with Monster applications but I know you can get it in two flavors, stand alone and PCIII USB. Both operate in the same manner and momentarily cut the ignition while you're shifting. The one I had plugged directly into the expansion slot on the PCIII and required no additional modifications. I know that the standalone requires some sort of mods to work with the ignition but I'm not sure what. You should be able to find that info on Dynojet's website.

It is the greatest thing since sliced bread and I'll definitely be getting mine repaired once I get around to it.

[A.duc.H.duc.]

Down shifting - you, me and most mortals must use it.  If you're very skilled at matching your engine RPMs to the wheel speed you can down shift safely w/o the clutch.  But for most folks, we're not that good and you'll get at min, protests from the drive line - at the worst you'll lock the rear or bust something.  Unless you've got ninja skills and a slipper, it's very wise to use the clutch while down shifting

I almost never use the clutch on the down shifts....

[uclabiker06]

I was just informed that shifting with out the clutch is bad for the gears so I am not going to be using this technique.

[He Man]

who told you that?

Riders have been doing that for many many years.Electronic shifter is almost the same way, the controller kills the plugs for a fraction of a second to unload the gears so you can smoothly shift into the next, same principal when you back of the throttle a hair.

ANd as far as clutchless downshifting, i dont know how you never use the clutch on downshift, you must be very gentle on the bike because any kind of downshifting without a clutch above 5,000rpm in my experience has led my rear wheel to slide, blow that and the bike is not smooth and wants to throw me foward.