Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original
shifting with out cluching?
Johnniespeed:
I only use the clutch for starting out, or if in a special situation, I may slip it a little. I have never had any transmission issues with any motorcycle. My old red bike, I could upshift under full power without the clutch.
Of course I dont reccomend this for others,but it is what I do. I also change transmission fluid once a week.
Hillclimb#42:
Obviously the important thing is to let off of the acceleration, during the upshift or to wait on less decceleration on a downshift. Its harder on the dogs, if the motor is under a load one way or the other. Mis-timed shift can be the hard part on the tranny. Transmission problems suck, so i just give the clutch a quick pull, but I do alot of non-clutch shifting on our yz125. I put the magura hydraulic clutch on the 500, so its easier on the forearm. The pull is so fast during a fast section that I'm not sure its much different. Possibly faster shifting with clutch, since the load is takin off of the motor with the lever instead of rolling off the gas. The throttle movement is much less when aided by the clutch. Maybe its better on the transmission to use the clutch during aggressive riding and OK to not use it during a medium to slow pace. I have no experience fixing transmissions, just some shifting them.
KTMEXC125, its just dangerous to ride without any clutch. I have had to ride from a crash back to the truck without a lever and its not fun. You can't ride for fun. You can ride it for transportation from point a to point b, but it sucks. Its like deciding to ride without brakes. You think, no biggie, I'll use the other brake, then when you need to stop, your reactions have you stomp on the pedal, even though you know it won't work. Motosport Outlet will 2-day that to you for no extra charge. Their list prices include tax, shipping is free on orders over 150 or 200.(it changes)
Good:
I didn't expect to see so many people shifting without clutching. When I was little racing an RM60, my uncle told his son that if he caught him using his clutch after the gate dropped he'd pull it off the bike. He was on a YZ80.
After this, I began to try both, with clutching, and without. I really think I'm quicker if I keep a finger or two on the clutch lever for multiple reasons. I slip my clutch out of corners to get the maximum force out of the corner possible without blowing up the back tire, among other situations.
One of the magazines did tests on this very subject like 10 years ago and determined that their test riders were like a second a lap faster when they used both brakes and clutch. I'll look see if I can google up anything on the subject.
turtle22:
thanks everybody. it seems like im riding like a lot of u out there. i do use the cluch coming out of corners and in ruff spots. but i find that(maybe cause i do drive a big truck) that i get real smoth shifting without it. i have a lot to learn about riding a dirtbike, i can not speed shift my harley. way to much horsepower going to the back wheel for that.im just afraid of learning bad habits now that i will regrate years down the line.
Good:
Here's some junk I found:
http://www.motocrossactionmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=02A1E1DBEA2247C8AB91AC06A147EE30
http://www.gsmxs.com/tips.htm
http://www.atlanticmx.com/howto_clutch.shtml
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version