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Shifting without the clutch

Rando

New member
Has anyone tried up/down shifting without the clutch. I did it by accident today and was surprised at how easy and smooth it was. Is there any harm in doing this?
 
Upshifting without the clutch can be done quite easily, but I find that downshifting is usually quite harsh if not impossible.
 
Upshifting without the clutch can be done quite easily, but I find that downshifting is usually quite harsh if not impossible.
Downshifting should be fairly easy also. The key is to blip the throttle to take pressure off of the gears. (similar to what the SE5 does automatically) ;)
 
Has anyone tried up/down shifting without the clutch. I did it by accident today and was surprised at how easy and smooth it was. Is there any harm in doing this?

I do it quite often - mostly on the upshifts. As long as you're doing it smoothly it won't hurt a thing. You'll know if it ain't smooth !

Back in my dirt-bike days you didn't have time for no stinkin' clutch !
 
Upshifting without the clutch can be done quite easily, but I find that downshifting is usually quite harsh if not impossible.

Downshifting should be fairly easy also. The key is to blip the throttle to take pressure off of the gears. (similar to what the SE5 does automatically) ;)

+1

I found that just having pressure on the shifter upwards and letting off the throttle unloaded the pressure on the gears and let them shift up easily. Same can be done on the downshift but you blip the throttle then release and it'll downshift when the pressure comes off the gears. I don't do the clutch-less downshift much but upshifting is so easy, I find myself doing it without thinking about it.
 
Been using this shifting method...

since the GL1100 came out many years ago. Drop the throttle a wee bit and tap the shift up. Down shifting is a little to harsh a shift for me so I clutch it going down. A little practice and you'll love it for every up shift. /Ken
 
Upshifting is okay...no clutch needed as long as you get the RPMs right...downshifting you HAVE to use the clutch or you risk some damage.

I use the clutch all the time...more fun and part of the whole bike riding mystique.
 
I only use the clutch when down shifting.

I figure they put in a clutch for a reason. If it's too much trouble to use i would have gotten an auto. I've driven stick's many years. Starting with 3 on the tree. But i got to say it is fun not useing the clutch every now and then. ;) It's just that i can visualize parts intermingling that should not be intermingling.
 
Hi folks. Just got a red SM5 yesterday. With a bit of spirited riding I usually don't use the clutch to upshift. However my question relates to the feel of the clutch lever. It seems very light and and the clutch begins to engage only in the last say, 10-20% of lever movement. Is this mormal? Thanks in advance
 
Hi folks. Just got a red SM5 yesterday. With a bit of spirited riding I usually don't use the clutch to upshift. However my question relates to the feel of the clutch lever. It seems very light and and the clutch begins to engage only in the last say, 10-20% of lever movement. Is this mormal? Thanks in advance

:congrats:
Yes that is normal it does feel funny at first but you get used to it. Just ryde and enjoy. and once aging enjoy and ryde safe.
 
Hi folks. Just got a red SM5 yesterday. With a bit of spirited riding I usually don't use the clutch to upshift. However my question relates to the feel of the clutch lever. It seems very light and and the clutch begins to engage only in the last say, 10-20% of lever movement. Is this normal? Thanks in advance
It is normal. I've seen the engagement thing is with other hydraulic clutches. Might be able to be adjusted, but easier to just get used to where it grabs. Remember that the lever is adjustable, so you can move the handle closer or farther, so it grabs where you like it. Part of the lightness of the clutch is the clutch assist system of the Spyder. It uses vacuum valved through a solenoid valve to assist with pulling in the clutch.
 
I figure they put in a clutch for a reason. If it's too much trouble to use i would have gotten an auto. I've driven stick's many years. Starting with 3 on the tree. But i got to say it is fun not useing the clutch every now and then. ;) It's just that i can visualize parts intermingling that should not be intermingling.

:agree: Sometimes faster to just hit the gear and go...more fun to use the clutch! As far as getting an auto, I agree...the difference between the manual and auto is as someone here pointed out some time ago...you drive the auto, you ride the manual...a bit more involved with the clutch and IMHO, it's more fun and interactive...
 
I use the clutch most of the time, although it does shift well without it, but if you happen not to get it just right, you'll know it. Using the clutch just a little takes the shock out of the drive train
 
:agree: Sometimes faster to just hit the gear and go...more fun to use the clutch! As far as getting an auto, I agree...the difference between the manual and auto is as someone here pointed out some time ago...you drive the auto, you ride the manual...a bit more involved with the clutch and IMHO, it's more fun and interactive...

:agree:
 
:agree: Sometimes faster to just hit the gear and go...more fun to use the clutch! As far as getting an auto, I agree...the difference between the manual and auto is as someone here pointed out some time ago...you drive the auto, you ride the manual...a bit more involved with the clutch and IMHO, it's more fun and interactive...
So, after kicking shifters around for almost half a century, I buy an SE5, and you decide I'm now "driving" instead of "riding"? Some of my 2 wheeled friends tell me the same thing because I'm no longer countersteering. Look, Crusher, I don't care if you call it driving, riding or pogo-sticking, the fact is I'm having a blast with this thing and that's what counts with me.
 
Thanks guys and gals. That clutch assist thing obviously explains why it's so light. Got a lot of reading ahead of me I can see.
 
So, after kicking shifters around for almost half a century, I buy an SE5, and you decide I'm now "driving" instead of "riding"? Some of my 2 wheeled friends tell me the same thing because I'm no longer countersteering. Look, Crusher, I don't care if you call it driving, riding or pogo-sticking, the fact is I'm having a blast with this thing and that's what counts with me.

Please read my post....I didn't say that originally...I'm just repeating what someone else here said several months ago...I thought it was an interesting take...I think we can all agree that a car or bike with a clutch is quite different from an automatic...
 
Please read my post....I didn't say that originally...I'm just repeating what someone else here said several months ago...I thought it was an interesting take...I think we can all agree that a car or bike with a clutch is quite different from an automatic...
I do agree. I've always felt that this riding hobby was about making choices and having fun. If you're having fun, you've made the right choice. But don't worry about the other fellow, he'll make his own choices and find his own fun. Riders don't do it the right way or the wrong way, we do it OUR way.
 
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