clutch or no clutch shifting.

[phoenix]

got a guestion for you more experinced ones.
i have hurd that its better to shift with out the clutch. and i have hurd that its best to use it every time you shift.
what do you guys think?
thx for the info

[mr. softie]

Use it every time!

[alanmcorcoran]

Some of these guys use a "preload" technique that is somewhere in the middle. (Search for "preload.")

Mine shifts so easily and smoothly I'm usually not even aware I'm doing it. I think the bike designers intended for you to use the clutch and if you use the clutch you are less likely to experience mis-shift mishaps. You will find that the gearing is a bit low - see some discussions of the 16T sprocket.

[alantf]

When I first got the bike, I tended to pull the clutch in fully, every gear change. Result - Jerky gear changes. Then I found that the smoothest way was to pull it in slightly, at the exact same time as the gear change. I know that you need the clutch for every gear change, but I think you should try different ways of using it until you find the one that is smoothest for you.

[johnjh2o]

Use the clutch. Shifting with out can bend the shifting fork.
John

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by phoenix

i have hurd that its better to shift with out the clutch.

It depends on what you mean by "better".
Clutchless shifting is fairly easy to do........when shifting UP. I used to do it quite a lot on my two previous bikes which were both shafties.

Alas, the GZ doesn't seem to like to do that very much; it always ends up in a jerky shift, even from 4th to 5th where is should be smooth. As a result, I never do it anymore. If you can't accomplish it smoothly transmission/chain/sprocket damage can occur.

The technique is to heavily pre-load the shifter while the engine is pulling. As you let off on the throttle, it should fall up to the next gear when the RPMs are right. NOT to be done from 1st to 2nd however.

[phoenix]

i have done it shifting up and down. just to try it. shifting up is rather jurkey but down shifting is smoother than useing the clutch. anyway thx for the advice.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by phoenix

but down shifting is smoother than useing the clutch.

If that is true then your downshifting with the clutch needs some work. :shocked:
When done at the proper speed, it should be really smooth.......except maybe from 2nd to 1st where even the most experienced riders often have a clunk.