Clutchless shifting on VTRs

Jake the Snake · Post by **Jake the Snake** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 9:27 pm

Anyone change gear without the clutch, after the 2nd shift?
Obviously only on the upshift.

I read on another forum that most sports bike riders do this most times they ride.
Something I never used to do, so tried it a bit yesterday, and it was fine, if not faster in the shift.
Any problems likely to occur with repeated clutchless shifting on the VTR??

Fireman on a Storm · Post by **Fireman on a Storm** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 9:49 pm

I've been doing it for years on all of the bike I've owned.
Not a great idea from 1st to 2nd but fine from there on.
Hold your foot under the gear lever with a bit of light pressure shut the throttle as normal and it will up shift as normal if not smoother.
You need to experiment a bit. You may find fully shutting the throttle may be too much.
You may only need to half shut the throttle when you are going a bit faster for the smoothest nd quickest gear changes.
Clutchless up shifts will not do any harm.

Down shifting without the clutch needs a bit more skill and if it goes wrong you will get some nasty sounds!

The idea is to down shift as normal with the foot but as you press the lever down a well timed blip of the throttle will see the gear slot in no probs. To learn this skill start at the lower end of the rev range. Brake slow down then change down!
With practice you will be able to change down without the clutch just as smooth as your up change.
A smooth clutch less down change will not harm the box either. Just make sure you learn the skill at lower revs

I learnt these skills form an ex 250 racer because I was struggling with the clutch due to a broken middle finger on my left hand.

IF YOU MISS A GEAR DON'T DAB THE GEAR LEVER AGAIN UNTIL YOU HAVE PULLED THE CLUTCH IN you will be in a false neutral between gears and may shift down 2 gears and lock a wheel, ALSO THE GEAR BOX WILL MAKE SOME COMPLAINING NOISES

Jake the Snake · Post by **Jake the Snake** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 9:53 pm

Sounds good mate.
I will experiment a bit more now.

eddvtr1000 · Post by **eddvtr1000** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:48 am

do it all the time especially when ive got a pillion on the back.
down shifts are ok if ya get em right, bit like fireman said but do be carefull. practice them only in the dry!

VTRgirl · Post by **VTRgirl** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:29 pm

I tend not to use the clutch if my left hand is busy with my pillion...

However, I expect they have a clutch for a reason & if my left hand has nothing better to do, I'll use it

.

Post by **sirch345** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 12:13 pm

VTRgirl wrote:I tend not to use the clutch if my left hand is busy with my pillion...

However, I expect they have a clutch for a reason & if my left hand has nothing better to do, I'll use it .

You're getting worse

or should that be better

dookie · Post by **dookie** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:35 pm

Nearly always

Jaglifter · Post by **Jaglifter** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 7:48 pm

Always change up without the clutch. It just seems smoother and quiter. Tried it changing down and locked up back wheel - not tried it since.

Jake the Snake · Post by **Jake the Snake** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:13 pm

I did'nt expect it to be so common. Mind you, up until 6 months ago I've been out of biking and owning one for 8 yrs so its very interesting.

DoodleBug · Post by **DoodleBug** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:25 am

Fireman on a Storm wrote:IF YOU MISS A GEAR DON'T DAB THE GEAR LEVER AGAIN UNTIL YOU HAVE PULLED THE CLUTCH IN you will be in a false neutral between gears and may shift down 2 gears and lock a wheel, ALSO THE GEAR BOX WILL MAKE SOME COMPLAINING NOISES

I couldnt have read that before this weekend just gone, could I?

Fireman on a Storm · Post by **Fireman on a Storm** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:43 am

Bugger!

Are you OK?

DoodleBug · Post by **DoodleBug** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:31 am

Sore shoulder/elbow/ego ;)

But fine, cheers.

Did exactly as you described coming up to the hairpin at Lydden Hill, instantly locked rear wheel, off i came. Engine case wore through and snapped brake pedal, apart from that it was cosmetic. Lesson learnt I guess.

thumper · Post by **thumper** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 10:44 am

VTRgirl wrote:I tend not to use the clutch if my left hand is busy with my pillion...

However, I expect they have a clutch for a reason & if my left hand has nothing better to do, I'll use it .

clutchless not crotchless , but by all means tell us more girlie

Stratman · Post by **Stratman** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:19 am

Use clutchless upshifts if in a hurry. Sometimes use clutchless downshifts, but a low speeds - it is a knack and quite satisfying when you've mastered it.