Question for more experienced offroad riders

[Shftatsix]

Ok I want to preface this by saying I have never ridden in dirt on any vehicle until about a week ago.

I have always used the clutch for up/down shifting in my car and on my street bike, I just had a discussion with my buddy about clutchless upshift and downshift while on the trails and track with dirt bikes and trikes. My gut instinct says that this will damage the gears, but the more I read websites and forums the more im thinking that it wont.

Can someone shoot some facts/opinions at me please?

[Louis Mielke]

You can indeed shift without using the clutch. Believe it or not it is actually possible to shift a road vehicle such as your car without using the clutch but it's very difficult. It's really just a matter of knowing you engine, and "feeling" the RPM of the engine vs the trans.

That being said, yes you can wear out your trans parts and clutch faster by not using the clutch if you're doing it improperly. Unless you really comfortable with your bike and shifting and all that jazz, just use your clutch to be safe.

[JohnR.]

Motorcycle and ATV transmissions don't use synchros like a car trans does, they have straight gut gears that are often called a dog box. Trying to jam the trans into the next gear while under throttle will damage stuff. Clicking it up or down a gear while easing off the gas will not hurt it.

John

[Shftatsix]

So have you seen first hand damage to the tranny due to clutchless shifting? Because these ppl on this other forum have said they always shift w/o clutch and no tranny prob due to it.

And how do you do this technique properly vs improperly? Maybe some pointers on how to learn this technique properly? (edit: ok so proper technique is to just let off the gas and shift as normal, just w/o clutch?)

[deathman53]

by not using the clutch to shift you will wear grooves faster in the clutch basket. More people than will say don't use the clutch for up/down shifting, I don't alot of times in the dirt. If you do it just right, the gear will slip right in, you must know your bike to do this. I know truckers that don't use the clutch for shifting, only first few gears get the clutch used. On the street and on a bike w/o a cush hub or dampening system can be harmful if done wrong, on the dirt, its alot harder to hurt things. I know guys that were taught, to use the clutch for 1st gear and stopping only. When they inspect things, stuff is all good, they tend to get replace clutch baskets every several years.

[JohnR.]

Personally, I haven't had any clutch basket issues and I'm still on my stocker. I have a billet one that I really need to dig out of the closet and put in.

John

[Billy Golightly]

Your more likely to bend a shift fork because of the extra tension required to move the gear sets around on the shafts while its under a load, and maybe some additional clutch basket notching, but thats the extent of it. I'm pretty hard on my transmission. I hardly ever use the clutch to change gears with unless its coming out of a corner and I'm using it to keep me in the power.

[ironchop]

I agree with all the answers posted

Shftatsix, these trannys can hold up well....get yer machine and ride through some soft stuff (helps lessen gear backlash)...I ride around using clutch to start and shift to 2nd....and then practice shifts w/o the clutch....the key for me is letting off throttle while already putting pressure on the shifter in the direction ya want to shift...add throttle only after shift is complete.

as John R. pointed out:"Clicking it up or down a gear while easing off the gas will not hurt it."

Use the throttle as the clutch (in a way)

it will take you some practice to get the feel of yer tranny and a little practice won`t trash a trans...but don`t "Jam" it into gear while accelerating or long term damage would be an issue.

[BigRed_Ryno]

Would i be right in saying it woud be ess harmfull on a 2 stroke? as you haven't got al that engine torque to be fighting?

[Louis Mielke]

If your worried about it then just use the clutch all the time. It's that simple.

[DeePa]

i always try to use the clutch, but sometimes in drastic situations ill slam her around a little bit...

[Louis Mielke]

sometimes in drastic situations ill slam her around a little bit...

Jeezzzzeee....Wifebeeter. LOL :-P Told her twice eh?

[Vealmonkey]

I look at it like this. Alot of pro dirt bike racers and some other racers don't use the clutch a whole lot. But racers often have racing teams who are tearing apart their machines at the end of every race and inspecting parts. If you are just a recreational rider, than use the clutch. Alot of people who don't use the clutch are wanna-be racers. You can do alot of damage to your equipment and that means money spent in repairs. It's your machine, ride it how you want. But be prepared to pony up the cash if you damage anything and it's no ones' fault but yours. There are plenty of low hour used machinary that has trashed transmissions for this very reason. Also doing this will guarantee alot of premature wear and tear in your tranny and have all kinds of multicolored shavings in your oil everytime you change it. And where do you think all this metal comes from? Is it worth it to you? Do you have a bottomless waller? I know I don't. Even goofing around with my buddies, it's just not worth it to me to unnecessarily abuse my equipment. Sooner or later you will pay the price. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

[the tecate kid]

When I first started to race quads I was 15 and it was a Quadracer 250. Let me tell you, I used the clutch only at the holeshot and when I was pulling up to the van after the race. Was it to be faster? HELL NO! I was holding on for dear life! I didnt want to let go to pull in the clutch! Basically its a bad habit in my opinion. When I switched to the four-strokers back in 2000, it broke that habit quick. For some reason the big thumpers wont shift like the 2 strokers would. Looking back now, I should have learned to use the clutch efficiently years ago. You will be MUCH faster on a track with the clutch. With my cannondale, you better have a finger or two on the clutch at all times, or you will stall out each and every tight turn.

[BigRed_Ryno]

I know riding bikes on the road when learning they teach you to ride the clutch, A LOT. Being a wet clutch it aint gonna burn out like a 'dry' clutch in a car would in a matter of minutes. Sure i can fix most things myself bike wise, but if the clutch is there might as well use it. I agree with Vealmonkey here, there's no point taking the edges off those drive dogs for nothin more than being a 'wanna-be'
I'd rather make the machine last