Shifting Into Neutral on SE6

[TommyBwell]

I didn't want to hijack the other transmission thread but wanted to see how many SE6 riders shift into neutral when at a light? I most always do. I think it has to be hard on the clutch to leave it in gear and despite MSF teachings I always shifted into neutral once a car has stopped behind me when I drove a manual two-wheeler. It is nice being ready to go but I think I am doing my clutch a favor by not sitting in gear.

[ARtraveler]

I have never done the shift into neutral when waiting for a light to change. If I get stuck in "parking lot traffic," (very rare) I will then go to neutral or actually shut the engine off if its more than a minute.

A force of habit and convenience for me. Never gave any thought to the possibility of damaging the clutch.

Eager to see what others may have to say.

[Orange Spyder Man]

I never shift into neutral while sitting in traffic... especially at a red light... I ALWAYS keep an eye on my rear view mirror for the idiot that does not notice I am stopped..

osm

[bscrive]

better to be ready. I doubt that it wears it down at all.

[SpyderAnn01]

I always shift into neutral at a stop but I'm on a manual. Do you shift your automatic car into neutral at stops? I don't, but I did shift my manual cars into neutral. I guess it is more for giving my hand or foot a break then anything else.

[HIspyder]

I don't shift into neutral at a stop light or in grid lock traffic.

I did that once, forgot I was in neutral and the bang into 1st after revving the engine and dropping it into gear was horrendous so I just don't bother.

[mstngken]

Your clutch is not engaged at a light if you are in 1st or neutral it is at the same position. Once you start to accelerate the clutch begins to engage at around 2100 rpm it is fully engaged this is only on the se6 se5 is diff.

[Lew L]

Usually don't go into neutral at stoplights. But always into neutral when I shut off the motor---became a habit like touching the parking brake.
Kaos

[4 MARIE]

I don't use neutral sitting at a light. ANYTHING I can do to avoid the clunky N to 1 shift.

[Chupaca]

I do (have the manual 5) if it is a long light. I would think the semi auto will do fine idling in gear. You have to bring up the revs to have the clutch system start to engage. Most , if not all the se's we ryde with keep it in gear...

[fratzba]

I don't use neutral when on 2, 3, or 4 wheels when at stoplights.

The only time my Spyder is in neutral is right after I start it, when it does it automatically.

-Fratz

[PaladinLV]

I didn't want to hijack the other transmission thread but wanted to see how many SE6 riders shift into neutral when at a light? I most always do. I think it has to be hard on the clutch to leave it in gear and despite MSF teachings I always shifted into neutral once a car has stopped behind me when I drove a manual two-wheeler. It is nice being ready to go but I think I am doing my clutch a favor by not sitting in gear.

Never shift into neutral and never did when I rode Harley's.

Always leave plenty room between me in car in front.

You never, ever know what could happen. The car behind you MIGHT stop, but what about the 1, 2, 3 . . .. behind him.

I want the option to get the hell out now if I need to.

AJ

[djhobin]

I never shift to neutral at a stop light. No problem with the clutch in 10,000 miles.

Dennis

[Gordon]

I didn't want to hijack the other transmission thread but wanted to see how many SE6 riders shift into neutral when at a light? I most always do. I think it has to be hard on the clutch to leave it in gear and despite MSF teachings I always shifted into neutral once a car has stopped behind me when I drove a manual two-wheeler. It is nice being ready to go but I think I am doing my clutch a favor by not sitting in gear.

When I shift into neutral at a light I also set the parking brake and standup. I only do this when a realignment is needed.

[jcthorne]

If it makes you feel any better, the computer controlled clutch on the SE6 is fully disengaged at idle when in first gear. There is no clutch wear. Its the same as if you had the clutch lever on the SM pulled fully in.

[Pampurrs]

If you look in your mirror and see a vehicle bearing down on you from behind, you're better off being in gear so you can take evasive action. I have a semi-automatic Spyder now, but when I was riding motorcycles with standard trannies, this was always my policy. I have personal experience in this myself, and so have a few of my friends. Back in 2010, eight of my friends were plowed into by a dump truck while sitting at a light here in Phoenix. Four dear friends died (three at the scene and one in the hosptital), three others were seriously injured, one with permanent brain damage. One of them saw it coming in his mirror and took evasive action, escaping unscathed. Having his bike in first gear saved his life.

http://www.kcby.com/news/national/89266222.html

If you ask me, I say always keep it in gear while at a light.

Pam

[Bob Denman]

It's better to leave the option of a "quick-getaway"; available for your use...

[JayBros]

I always shift into neutral at a stop but I'm on a manual. Do you shift your automatic car into neutral at stops? I don't, but I did shift my manual cars into neutral. I guess it is more for giving my hand or foot a break then anything else.

I'm probably dating myself but on old Maico 500s if you didn't shift into neutral on the starting line the bike would creep forward in first and you couldn't hold it back. Made for crappy starts.

[ARtraveler]

The quick getaway posts are right on. Of course, I did not think of that yesterday.

[TommyBwell]

I know we have gotten pretty far from the initial post but I acknowledged the safety aspects of keeping it in gear. Once the car behind you comes to a complete stop, historically closer than you want them too, it's pretty hard to see past that and in my opinion most of the safety afforded by being in gear is nullified. My thought was that it might help save some clutch wear but from what's been posted I guess that has been nullified too.

[Buggy]

If you look in your mirror and see a vehicle bearing down on you from behind, you're better off being in gear so you can take evasive action. I have a semi-automatic Spyder now, but when I was riding motorcycles with standard trannies, this was always my policy. I have personal experience in this myself, and so have a few of my friends. Back in 2010, eight of my friends were plowed into by a dump truck while sitting at a light here in Phoenix. Four dear friends died (three at the scene and one in the hosptital), three others were seriously injured, one with permanent brain damage. One of them saw it coming in his mirror and took evasive action, escaping unscathed. Having his bike in first gear saved his life.

http://www.kcby.com/news/national/89266222.html

If you ask me, I say always keep it in gear while at a light.

Pam

What a horrific situation. Sorry for the loss of your friends Pam.

[Mike Ard]

I talked with my tech when I bought the F3 and he told me leaving it in gear at lights etc... is no problem with the 1330 motor SE6 trans. He said that the clutch on the new motor was designed with this in mind.