Is there any problem with riding with the clutch half engaged?

I drive a lot in city traffic.  Squeezing the clutch feels better than rolling off the throttle for low speeds.  Engine sounds better, bike doesn't jerk around.  I am finding it easier to monitor my speed with the left handle than the right. 

Related question, is engine braking with the throttle bad, or am I just doing it too abruptly?  I'm finding it challenging to find the right RPMs for stop and go traffic.

And does anyone have any other tips for city riding?

I engine brake all the time....... but my only advice is to practice

I was told in the MSF that motorcycle clutches are designed to slip, so it's not a bad thing to ride with them half-engaged at low speed, unlike a car's clutch.  In fact, that's how we did the figure-8, by regulating speed with the clutch.

Now, this may not be 100% true, but it sounds good to me

It's a wet clutch, so it's much harder to burn...  But, it can be done.

IMO 1st is too jerky to control without lots of clutch...  Even in a car.  When I'm in stop-n-go, I use my clutch all the time.  Riding at 5 MPH up hill is pretty damn impossible without working the clutch.

Make sure that we are separating the issue of judiciously using the clutch and "riding" the clutch.

If you are running through the friction zone a few seconds at a time, that's what it is there for. 
If you are using the clutch to continually roll at 2 mph for minutes on end, that is a bit harsh.

Usually the issue of burning a clutch is at higher rpm where the clutch is absorbing more energy and therefore heat.
At low rpm, there is a lot less heat going into the clutch, especially when you have oil for cooling.

Keep your oil changed regular and your clutch will let you know when it accumulates much wear.

I use the clutch significantly, dirt bike background.  Clutches are consumables.

well i dont use my clutch when i upshift.  discuss...

Quote from: weaselnoze on April 06, 2006, 05:29:50 PMwell i dont use my clutch when i upshift.  discuss...

Ever?

I skip the clutch when I'm in a big hurry to get through all my gears...  But, I usually use it.

Quote from: weaselnoze on April 06, 2006, 05:29:50 PM
well i dont use my clutch when i upshift.  discuss...

THIS I have never tried.  Sounds scary.  Is it really OK to shift up without clutch?  I'm worried about leaving my tranmission on the pavement behind me.

My '04 has never been able to shift (up or down) without the use of the clutch, unless I'm not doing it right.

I've always used the clutch when riding in the city at low speeds.  It's the only way.

Recently I've been practicing shifting without the clutch so eventually I can do it on one wheel. I've found that its generally not that smooth and I can actually shift quicker and smother buy quickly using the clutch. I donno, maybe it's a practice thing.

you guys do roll of the throttle when your upshift without the clutch right.

I've been told that you HAVE TO roll off the throttle to do this

Quote from: niteshade on April 06, 2006, 03:31:55 PM
Is there any problem with riding with the clutch half engaged?

No.

Quote from: niteshade on April 06, 2006, 03:31:55 PMSqueezing the clutch feels better than rolling off the throttle for low speeds.  Engine sounds better, bike doesn't jerk around.  I am finding it easier to monitor my speed with the left handle than the right.

You're doing it right.

Quote from: niteshade on April 06, 2006, 03:31:55 PMRelated question, is engine braking with the throttle bad, or am I just doing it too abruptly?  I'm finding it challenging to find the right RPMs for stop and go traffic.

Matching RPM's when downshifting takes practice.  Keep practicing

Quote from: niteshade on April 06, 2006, 03:31:55 PMAnd does anyone have any other tips for city riding?

Stay away from manhole covers and tarsnakes when it rains.  And, really try hard to cross railroad/tram/trolley/lightrail tracks as verticle as possible (hang off a little), at a right angle, and weigh the outside peg.

Thanks guys.  Thanks Scratch.  Yeah, I guess it all comes down to practice.  Always nice to know you're not hurting the machine.  I'm mostly looking forward to better gas mileage as I get smoother with the controls.

Another hint: Riding in slow traffic in 2nd is usually much smoother. 1st is way too jerky. It's geared to accelerate fast, not to ride smooth.

my b/f never uses his clutch. It drives me crazy! He has a CBR1000 (1990) and it seems to work well for him, until he gets on my bike and I get really mad at him for not using it! It's my baby! He always rolls off the throttle...

Why is this possible? Why do we have clutches if you don't have to use them?

Clutches allow you disengage drive when stopped 

They also allow you to shift down gears more smoothly, but they are optional when going up gears 

The GS has GEARS?   Have I been riding around in 1st all this time? 

If it goes from a standing start ok yes.

If it shudders alot on take off you might have been stuck in 3rd 


(everyones a comedian today)

Quote from: Maduro Mistress on April 07, 2006, 05:50:36 AM
Why is this possible? Why do we have clutches if you don't have to use them?

it is the nature of the clutch that is being taken advantage of.  it is the way it works.  Not that you don't have to use them. just mechanically you don't NEED to.