Hello all, I have been riding for almost 3 years now but got a VFR 03 a month ago… I came across this article that talk about not having to use the clutch when up shifting. http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0409_sport_bike_clutchless_upshifting/ Is this true and can VFRs handle that or is it a technique meant for racing bikes….
eeaa yea it can. takes a fine touch to be smooth, just IMO not that big a deal to use the clutch as it akes me what .003 of a second it's not like you're pulling it in all the way as in like you do to stop more of a take the load off for that fraction of a second then click you're gone, but yea it will do it just need to get a feel for the power off and on how much is enough, etc...
I use the clutch most of the time, I just think its better for wear and tear. Once in a while I go clutchless just for practice. Also at my annual one day at the drag strip. I used to ride moto cross and pretty much the clutch is use for starting and stoping, and not much else. This is the same technique for performance riding on the street. I have even done it on my big ass Valkyrie. - a quick note, you need to be precise about it, if your sloppy - crunch, crunch the box will go. MD
You can check out this thread and then decide for yourself. http://vfrworld.com/forums/mechanics-garage/5752-clutch-not.html?highlight=clutchless+shift
Why chance it? Unless you have $$$ laying around to fix the trans why bother? Use the clutch, that's what it's there for. KC-10 FE out... lane:
I've tried a few clutchless shifts but I don't think I did them all that well. I'll stick to using the clutch for all shifts. :smile:
Clutchless shifts do require some finess and timing. Tranny's in motorcycles are constant mesh, meaning the gears are always turning and are together, unlike a car which uses a synchro mesh design. I am not saying that clutchless shifts may not be harder on a tranny, just that it can be done. I, too used to race MX. I used the clutch for starting, stopping, and slipped the hell out if it coming out of turns or if the engine got bogged somewhere. The use of the clutch to shift, in the big pic, is really up to the rider. Sometimes I use it, soemtimes I don't. I expect some Almond Joy/Mounds jokes to appear now. lol