so just watching youtube videos, this one said speed shifting, sure..i should shift fast. i've always pulled the clutch when changing gears, upshift and downshift, do you need to? are you suppose to? i always thought the clutch disengaged the transmission from the engine, transmission changed gears then you let off clutch to engage trans to engine again? totally wrong? i do work the throttle to try to match my rpms so i shift smoother. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P5lk426tOQ
nobody can answer this? i want to try it but i really dont want to mess up my bike, can you upshift vfr w/out the clutch?
of course you can, need to rev the throttle a bit and up shift or down shift as you will. And no it will not harm your clutch or engine.
If you want "speed shift", that is shift without using the clutch, just pull up on the shift lever as you momentarily reduce power to unload the gears. That's how an air shifter works. No harm, no foul. Not that you can't do some damage if you're really ham-fisted, or footed. LOL The hardest shift to get right is the shift from 1st to 2nd, because you're going through neutral. To give it a try without "speed shifting" just put some pressure on the shifter and cut the throttle as you lift up a bit harder on the lever. You'll find that it will move into the next gear without any undue effort. Just remember the key word: "Smooooth".
i got to ride this morning for a lil bit, my keyword is "clunky" but it worked, 2-3rd easiest, couple times i was trying to shift w/out letting off throttle, that didnt work out well. i'd say 2:10x it was smooth from 2-3rd, 1-2nd was never smooth, i didnt try the downshift. pressure on shifter, back off throttle, more pressure, *click* more throttle. i'll have to practice.
Just takes practice. You won't do any damage unless you're trying to force things. The cush drive takes the brunt of the harsh shifts until you get the hang of it.
Why punish the gears ??? Smooth coordination of clutch and throttle is a riding skill you need to practice. Just slamming the shifter is lazy and can't possibly be good for the tranny.
Why punish the gears ??? Smooth coordination of clutch and throttle is a riding skill you need to practice. Just slamming the shifter is lazy and can't possibly be good for the tranny. thats what i was wondering, how many vfr riders use clutch, i always have, didnt even know you couldnt, will say, when i was smooth doing it that it was smoother than clutch.
Most advanced bike schools and all racing schools teach clutchless shifting. Whether or not you use it is up to you. I've heard many differing opinions pro and con on the subject. My thoughts are if done properly it will cause no more and no less damage than a properly executed clutched shifting. I've been doing it for years on everything from old KZ's and CB's, CR 125, to Cruisers, Concours, and VFR. I have yet to replace any cables, gears, clutches, springs, or hydraulics as a result. Properly executed is the key. I now shift not only up but down as well including the surprise neutral dropping 1-2 up torque inducing 2-1 downshift, with practice it increases control and predictability in most situations. I do not shift clutchless exclusively, some scenarios demand a bit of slipping finesse. Lee Parks and Keith Code both have good beginning technique on the subject.
