Dumb Question from a Newbee !!!!!

I havent ridden in nearly 13 years since selling my 94 VFR750. I have wanted another ever since. With the big discounts on the leftover 2010s, I have now have one in my garage. I was just about to pull the trigger on a 2012 Kaw Versys when I found the VFR at another dealer. For just a few thousand more, I have alot more bike and couldnt be happier. There is really no comparison between the bikes.

One quick question... This bike seems much happier to be upshifted without using the clutch. I have never done this before on my previous bikes but I wouldnt consider myself a highly skilled rider either. Is it normal practice to do this and does it harm or cause premature wear on the transmission ???? It pops right to the next gear without grinding or hesitation at all....

Dont laugh at the question, I will get my bike legs back soon and will back in the swing of things..

So how many use or dont use the clutch on upshifts as a normal practice ?????? and how about downshifts....????

 

If done right, it wont hurt the bike. Clutchless up-shifting is not uncommon. I do it occasionally, but from what I understand it's more used for racing.

 

While doing club racing and ysr-ing it on the go-cart track, clutch only from first to second, other wise its basically WOT up shifts without clutch. Going down used the clutch, also had a regular street shift pattern as the typical race shift patter.

On the street, I always use a clutch going up or down with the gears. If I was going to flog someones bike and I wanted to be a dik - I would not use the clutch and basically let off the throttle a cunts hair and with foot pressure on the shift lever - would bump the next gear. This style works well if there is no traffic around, but imho to be super smooth and quiet I clutch on the street. If you dont wana clutch get one of those new fangeld FJRs or a new VIffer...

 

Thats just it... This bike shifts so smooth and effortless WITHOUT using the clutch on upshifts at moderate RPMs, its almost as if the bike is happier doing that.. I dont wanna not use the clutch, was just wondering if the bike was designed to be shifted this way....

 

I raced a Ninja 5 and a Ducati 900 / My EX was a 94? it shifted great wide open throttle and never missed a beat (low-sides gallore - once looped too!) I always ran a regular street shift pattern, one down, the rest up, I couldnt get used to the reverse race patter (one up, the rest down to go...) My current EX is an 04 which was stiff when I got it with 1200 miles on it. It shifts very nice now that it has 20,000 miles on it. Viffer, I replaced the entire clutch pack and barely noticed a difference except around 120 mph er so :smile:

It was ingrained in my brain and the last thing I needed was to have to think about shifting. On the track, it was easy to not use the clutch. On the street, I would have to think not to use it, I kinda load the shift lever prior to touching the clutch lever. I use it, do I think it will fuck up a bike not using it? Well they do design em with that lever right? I feel less noise is good, so if you can do it consistently in commuting, grid lock, lane splitting, running from the cops, DO IT.

 

Squirrelman should be showing up any minute now to tell you how irresponsible you are and to give a lecture on why you should always use the clutch.

Rollin

 

Waiting for Ice-Hunchin Man to berate that young whipper snapper

 

Same as with WW2's Bike, Mine seems happy to up-shift clutchless or semi-clutchless. Trueth is I don't try to shift that way, But usually when I start to engage the clutch, she pulls the upper gear with little real effort.