Do you use your clutch to shift?

Nighthawk016 · Aug 17, 2010

SlowmanRMZ:
Nope no clutch here. But, I guess when you don't get out of first gear, really don't need one.

just do an MX start, put it in second and take off, then never shift

SlowmanRMZ · Aug 17, 2010

Good idea... Roost for you!!!

Weathergeek · Aug 17, 2010

I have always used the clutch. I don't get it. If it wasn't really necessary, why have it at all? Just for the feathering in tight situations? Seems to me that if not used all the time it would lessen the life of the gear box. But what the hell do I know? :smirk:

CDA · Aug 18, 2010

Weathergeek:
I have always used the clutch. I don't get it. If it wasn't really necessary, why have it at all? Just for the feathering in tight situations? Seems to me that if not used all the time it would lessen the life of the gear box. But what the hell do I know?

I thought I was the only odd one here.... :noidea:

rezrider · Aug 18, 2010

CDA:
I thought I was the only odd one here....

THAT's a whole different thread all together.............. :focus:

CDA · Aug 18, 2010

rezrider:
THAT's a whole different thread all together..............

I know.

Bryce R · Aug 18, 2010

Weathergeek:
I have always used the clutch. I don't get it. If it wasn't really necessary, why have it at all? Just for the feathering in tight situations? Seems to me that if not used all the time it would lessen the life of the gear box. But what the hell do I know?

Well that is me. Its so fast as easy then I was told I was riding wrong. :thinking:

Thought I would see what you boys were doing. Maybe we should be asking who goes through alot of clutches and who fixes transmissions alot or who just buys a new bike often.

rezrider · Aug 18, 2010

Bryce R:
Well that is me. Its so fast as easy then I was told I was riding wrong. Thought I would see what you boys were doing. Maybe we should be asking 1) who goes through alot of clutches and 2) who fixes transmissions alot or 3) who just buys a new bike often.

1) Not me
2) Not me
3) I wish

Regarding 1 & 2, if I rode more often then maybe i would be in that predicament...

James · Aug 18, 2010

Bryce R:
Well that is me. Its so fast as easy then I was told I was riding wrong. Thought I would see what you boys were doing. Maybe we should be asking who goes through alot of clutches and who fixes transmissions alot or who just buys a new bike often.

It has more to do with your riding style, my previous post was regrading MX. If I'm just "putting" around I always use to clutch, the same with trails. The main reason I downshift without the clutch is because it keeps the bike more stable coming into the corner. Plus it keeps the "engine braking" to the rear wheel more consistent, which is why I've never heard of using the rear brake, :devil:

but that's for another thread.

rezrider · Aug 18, 2010

James:
It has more to do with your riding style, my previous post was regrading MX. If I'm just "putting" around I always use to clutch, the same with trails. The main reason I downshift without the clutch is because it keeps the bike more stable coming into the corner. Plus it keeps the "engine braking" to the rear wheel more consistent, which is why I've never heard of using the rear brake, but that's for another thread.

Higher chance of stalling in the event you didn't pull in the clutch in time or hit the brakes too hard...right?

MikeinFresno · Aug 19, 2010

I grew up on a 2st and you had to use the rear brake to slow down, no engine braking like a 4st

James · Aug 19, 2010

rezrider:
Higher chance of stalling in the event you didn't pull in the clutch in time or hit the brakes too hard...right?

Correct you can stall if you hit the rear brake to hard without any clutch.

MikeinFresno:
I grew up on a 2st and you had to use the rear brake to slow down, no engine braking like a 4st

Never had the opportunity to ride a 2st for more then a couple minutes.

rezrider · Aug 19, 2010

rezrider:
Higher chance of stalling in the event you didn't pull in the clutch in time or hit the brakes too hard...right?

More so on a 2t... I remember it didn't take much to stall it out.

MikeinFresno:
I grew up on a 2st and you had to use the rear brake to slow down, no engine braking like a 4st

You are correct

James:
Correct you can stall if you hit the rear brake to hard without any clutch.

Never had the opportunity to ride a 2st for more then a couple minutes.

Was that couple minutes cruising it or were you able to "ride it"? What size was the bike?

James · Aug 19, 2010

rezrider:
Was that couple minutes cruising it or were you able to "ride it"? What size was the bike?

Just a couple minutes putting around, but that's one of the reasons I got my own bike and started :ride:

Edit: It was a 125 BTW

Travace · Aug 19, 2010

MikeinFresno:
I split but lean more to not using it. It is for stopping and starting first, then it is for keeping revs up to get thru an obstacle like hill, corner, rock, etc. I usually use it to down shift since there is more load that way, but not in a quick decision case. Years ago the manufacturers spent a great deaL OF TIME TO GET THE BIKES TRANSMISSIONS IN TIME-THE GEARS SPINNING AT SPEEDS WHICH WOULD LET THEM up SHIFT with full power with no clutch. This was a big deal at the time. Now the newer generation doesnt know how it was and think its always been this way. When i was a kid gear boxes would blow all the time.

thats how i was raised riding ATV's and i alwyas pull when shifting even now.