Clutchless Gear Changes

[Villager]

Since reading of this on a website over a years ago, I have been using clutchless gear changes regularly. I find changing up through the gears is easier and often smoother without using the clutch.

Do you do this?

Is it harmful?

[Jerka]

I do it occasionally, but I find it to be a more violent shift...the bike seems to jerk pretty hard....but you know, I don't think that I've tried it since I put the progressives in...maybe it will be smoother now.  Anyway, I've read a few articles about clutchless shifting and they all say that it is harmless.  These articles are coming from respected sport bike magazines and they all mention how they have been doing them for years with no ill-effects on their bikes...I don't know...just my $0.02.

[Villager]

It is a violent shift unless you accelerate hard and then coem off the throttle before doing it. I don't do it so much in the lower gears because it is rougher, unless I'm really wringing it.

[ohgood]

Since reading of this on a website over a years ago, I have been using clutchless gear changes regularly. I find changing up through the gears is easier and often smoother without using the clutch.

1) Do you do this?

2) Is it harmful?

1) sometimes, but not often (UP yes, DOWN never)

2) if done right, no

explanation: you don't want to go slamming into the next gear every time. it should be a method for progressive acceleration, not JUST aggressive acceleration. it can be as smooth or smoother than using the clutch, depending on the rate of acceleration, and mostly the rider's talent.

DON'T use it for downshifting, it's hard on -everything- and can cause a nasty spill. keep away from the downshifting clutch-less habit !

[Jay_wolf]

I would hate to see someone do it down ,

[510]

One time my clutch pushrod got broken and I had to ride the bike home push-starting it every intersection and shifting both up and down without clutching.

It was a painful, bone-jarring experience. The next time I changed the oil there were a ton of metal filings in the drained oil and filter. I would definitely not recommend it for shifting down. Shifting up without clutch seems to be alright as long as you put some pressure on the shifter and blip the throttle before you press it all the way.

[bucks1605]

I've always been to scared to try shifting without using the clutch, on my bike and in my truck.

[Jay_wolf]

I used to clutchless on my 125cc's . it was smooth like butter , sometimes on the gs , not always tho , i like the clutch action 

[Chuck]

If it's violent, you're doing it wrong.  If you preload the shifter, and rock the throttle off and back on, it should be smooth as butter.  I'm only able to do this from 2-3 and above.  A 1-2 shift is always hard.  (These gears are farther apart.)  Like everyone else says, up only.

[Jay_wolf]

On one of my 125cc's it was like butter , it was like it didnt need a clutch , until you downshift that is