Shifting without the clutch

[heckler]

A buddy I ride with tells me to shift without using the clutch by getting the engine revs to the right speed. It seems to work quite smoothly and I've even figured out the down shift.

Question is - am I damaging or prematurely wearing anything out by not pulling on the clutch when I shift? The clutch would be used for first gear or letting it coast.

[scheckaet]

should be fine if you're not doing it under heavy load.

[Julien D]

Right, no problem at all. If it's hard to shift then you're doing it wrong and probably causing damage. As long as you have the trick of shifting smoothly without the clutch then you don't need to use it. When the trails are tight, I almost never use the clutch to shift. Use it plenty for other things though, like getting the front end back down on the ground!

[heckler]

sweet, thanks! time to start practicing!

[hbgod]

downshifting withou the clutch can damage ur trany if done wrong and also can make parts wear out faster. but upshifting without the clutch doesnt have much of an effect

[MadMax]

If I'm going through the gears while doing a wheelie I never use the clutch, otherwise, I keep my ring or middle finger on the left lever and give a small tug. But that's just me.

Damage? Nah. Just don't try to do it with a serious load, either direction.

[Julien D]

downshifting withou the clutch can damage ur trany if done wrong and also can make parts wear out faster. but upshifting without the clutch doesnt have much of an effect

Do you have a solid understanding of how a constant mesh transmission works? Doesn't sound like it...

[KarlP]

You won't hurt anything.