Okay, been riding for 35 years, last four bikes were HD. I am extremely impressed with the new 07 VFR I picked up last week. Here is my question. When rolling, changing gears from 1 on, I have discovered the smoothest shifts seem to happen when you only pull the clutch lever in about 1/4 the way. A real quick pull and release results in the smoothest shifting. On previous bikes, you pulled the clutch lever all the way and then release. What have you guys experienced? Forgive the novice sounding question, but after a week, I am convinced that this bike just requires this type of clutch lever work. Perhaps the lever is adjusted incorrectly........... Thanks guys!
HI Rex, I agree with you, there seems to be no need for full clutch lever travel. I find that I lightly load the gear lever, and then just twitch the clutch, and she changes gears without any problem.
Wow, quick replies! I love forums! Glad to hear this is your experience also. With a Harley Davidson, it is like driving a dump truck by comparison, but I guess that is another thread!
No clutch at all???? Gosh, I don't know if I could bring myself to do that! Doesn't the tranny kinda want a little relief between gears?
No clutch is easier than a little clutch, just gently load the gear lever, then twitch your throttle. The millisecond that power is removed from the driveline the gearbox snicks into the next gear. This is best performed from about 4k up, and best on an upshift. Would recommend you use a small amount of clutch on downshift. I have been using this technique without problems on a number of bikes; used to do it all day every day when I was a motorbike courier (always had left hand on microphone for the radio, taking jobs).
This does work! I have not used a clutch upshifting on a sportsbike for over 10 years. Under acceleration before you want to upshift put light pressure on the shifter, let off the throttle slightly and increse pressure on the shifter. Before long it is second nature:thumbsup:
+1 :thumbsup: The clutch isn't needed for either up or down shifts, but I use it most of the time anyway because it just doesn't seem right that it does no damage. As said, just preload the shift lever, slightly twitch the throttle (don't even have to do this), and up shift away!
I''m gonna quote this "With a Harley Davidson, it is like driving a dump truck by comparison," thats funny poo right there
<Threadjack on> I believe that is the exact feeling that most people get when they come off of 600 supersport machines to the vfr......i know that was my exact thought after track riding a zx6 at a school. Should have never have done that, it caused a lot of work...... <Threadjack off>
It would be of some value to state which HD's were previously owned and ridden. Some may have had mechanical clutch linkage and a separate (non-unit) clutch. The VFR mentioned has a hydraulic coupling and is a unit type clutch. Upshifting can be done "clutchless" on an HD by grounding out the ignition. Same deal on any mechanical unit or non-unit clutch assembly. The new hotrod BMW has a solenoid actuator that does this for the rider. I thihk it's another 300 bucks if ya want one. The new VFR has "something" that is similar. Honda has had in past some auto trannys that were fine with one exception. When ya backed off the gas, they went into freewheel. A little hard on the old brake pucks and the brakes then were not anywhere near as good as they are today. Sort of like getting off the gas on a two-stroke. If the opportunity arises check out some vintage flattrackers. Many of them will have a short length of a dulled hacksaw blade taped to the handlebars on the left side of the bar near the clutch perch used as a spring loaded ground. Moot point on the vintage flattrackers for downshifts. They didn't and didn't have brakes either. Waaay cool. In a unit type hydraulic actuated clutch ie in the VFRs of late the clutch is already spinning. IMO both upshifts and downshifts can be done but I save that for the racers to do. I sure don't want to buy a new gearbox for my bike just so I look cool like the really fast guys. In a sequence of events in downshifting, the shift lever would be preloaded. Smooth downshifts call for matching revs then backing off the gas to decelerate. If this procedure is followed to the letter and if the throttle is null it takes an extra step to perform a downshift. This is why if one does a little homework it will be found that the really fast racers use the clutches when downshifting. Saving time on a racetrack is critical to winning. Blowing out a gearbox is just another DNF.
Same here, the clutch engagement point on my viffer is kind of awkward and requires alot of lever movement and with no way of adjusting this (that ive found) i just do clutchless on all gears after 1st. Ive came quite accustomed to it since the first bike i had 2 years ago.
