I would be concerned that a messed up clutchless downshift could damage gears/shifting forks/dogs/slots requiring a complete engine teardown to repair while changing/fixing a clutch is a whole lot easier.... and cheaper.
Clutchless downshifting
Do you do it and does it wear the clutch/gears prematurely, etc?
I randomly started doing this about 2 years ago when coasting to a stop. It engages extremely smooth all the way from 6th to 1st gear. It's actually (and obviously) faster and smoother than when I use the clutch. I don't do it often, but after I had to replace my clutch last week (19k of use) and my discussion with my friend, I wanted to get a little more information regarding this. According to Ari Henning, it's harmless. Slowing down, and click down a gear right when I start blipping the throttle (split second when unloaded). I like to prioritize smoothness and less wear on bike components, so if this actually does prematurely wear the clutch (assuming it's done as properly as possible), I won't use this as much.
I'm hoping others do this frequently with no issues as I think it would be super helpful when utilized on the track. Only caveat is you cannot do a double downshift, but that wont really be needed if doing this.
The Truth About Clutchless Shifting On A Motorcycle (1:40 mark)
edit: if CSBS says its okay, good enough for me
I randomly started doing this about 2 years ago when coasting to a stop. It engages extremely smooth all the way from 6th to 1st gear. It's actually (and obviously) faster and smoother than when I use the clutch. I don't do it often, but after I had to replace my clutch last week (19k of use) and my discussion with my friend, I wanted to get a little more information regarding this. According to Ari Henning, it's harmless. Slowing down, and click down a gear right when I start blipping the throttle (split second when unloaded). I like to prioritize smoothness and less wear on bike components, so if this actually does prematurely wear the clutch (assuming it's done as properly as possible), I won't use this as much.
I'm hoping others do this frequently with no issues as I think it would be super helpful when utilized on the track. Only caveat is you cannot do a double downshift, but that wont really be needed if doing this.
The Truth About Clutchless Shifting On A Motorcycle (1:40 mark)
edit: if CSBS says its okay, good enough for me
Clutchless Down Shifting?
Hello All, I understand "Powershifting" or clutchless UP shifting. But can I do a clutchless downshift on a regular strreet bike? On a bike with a slipper clutch? Or is it just a BAAAD idea? Thanks. Best wishes, Crash
forums.superbikeschool.com
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
I'm sure it would take a ton of miles doing this for the clutch to be affected. 🤷🏼♂️
I tried it a few times but I love the feeling I get when I can flawlessly rev match with clutch blip, throttle blip, downshift, and the sound at the muffler confirming you did it right. 🥰🤙
When I hear a car or bike do this perfectly I instantly give the guy/ gal an immediate prop in my mind for letting me hear it. 😁
I tried it a few times but I love the feeling I get when I can flawlessly rev match with clutch blip, throttle blip, downshift, and the sound at the muffler confirming you did it right. 🥰🤙
When I hear a car or bike do this perfectly I instantly give the guy/ gal an immediate prop in my mind for letting me hear it. 😁
I didn't read through the entire linked thread, but how in the world do people think modern up/down quick shifters work?Do you do it and does it wear the clutch/gears prematurely, etc?
I randomly started doing this about 2 years ago when coasting to a stop. It engages extremely smooth all the way from 6th to 1st gear. It's actually (and obviously) faster and smoother than when I use the clutch. I don't do it often, but after I had to replace my clutch last week (19k of use) and my discussion with my friend, I wanted to get a little more information regarding this. According to Ari Henning, it's harmless. Slowing down, and click down a gear right when I start blipping the throttle (split second when unloaded). I like to prioritize smoothness and less wear on bike components, so if this actually does prematurely wear the clutch (assuming it's done as properly as possible), I won't use this as much.
I'm hoping others do this frequently with no issues as I think it would be super helpful when utilized on the track. Only caveat is you cannot do a double downshift, but that wont really be needed if doing this.
The Truth About Clutchless Shifting On A Motorcycle (1:40 mark)
edit: if CSBS says its okay, good enough for me
Clutchless Down Shifting?
Hello All, I understand "Powershifting" or clutchless UP shifting. But can I do a clutchless downshift on a regular strreet bike? On a bike with a slipper clutch? Or is it just a BAAAD idea? Thanks. Best wishes, Crashforums.superbikeschool.com
When you put pressure on the shifter it auto blips the throttle allowing the unloaded transmission to down shift.
There is nothing actuating the clutch, no magic, no internal solenoid moving the shift forks, etc.
An up shift just kills the ignition momentarily to allow the transmission to unload.
Why would a manufacturer install a quick shifter with auto-blip if it damaged the transmission?
Matt, you don't need to time it, just hold downward pressure on the shifter with the throttle closed, and when you blip it, it will shift.
Nope, I’m a simple man with simple tastes. Nothing flashy. Just pull in the clutch and downshift thru gears at appropriate speeds until a smooth stop. Don’t need to make it more complicated for no reason.
That definitely was a passing thought to me and others as well. I think it is extremely difficult unless you have a very heavy and oblivious foot as the tranny wouldnt even unload and allow you to do this unless you did it correct. The blip part is also very simple. I plan to continue to utilize both clutchless and clutch depending on mood haha. Which is around 95% using the clutchI would be concerned that a messed up clutchless downshift could damage gears/shifting forks/dogs/slots requiring a complete engine teardown to repair while changing/fixing a clutch is a whole lot easier.... and cheaper.
Thought it was just me haha. The first time I had a manual car and started downshifting + rev matching, it got my juices going and I felt like a badass when done correctly. I wonder how many casual drivers/riders think it's just people being obnoxious lol, definitely how I felt in my younger oblivious days.I'm sure it would take a ton of miles doing this for the clutch to be affected. 🤷🏼♂️
I tried it a few times but I love the feeling I get when I can flawlessly rev match with clutch blip, throttle blip, downshift, and the sound at the muffler confirming you did it right. 🥰🤙
When I hear a car or bike do this perfectly I instantly give the guy/ gal an immediate prop in my mind for letting me hear it. 😁
Exactly! Pretty simple procedure to do for me. It was a lot easier for me to get clutchless downshifting smoothly vs upshifting. It was only when an acquaintance said something that made me second guess and wanted to do a little more research just in case!I didn't read through the entire linked thread, but how in the world do people think modern up/down quick shifters work?
When you put pressure on the shifter it auto blips the throttle allowing the unloaded transmission to down shift.
There is nothing actuating the clutch, no magic, no internal solenoid moving the shift forks, etc.
An up shift just kills the ignition momentarily to allow the transmission to unload.
Why would a manufacturer install a quick shifter with auto-blip if it damaged the transmission?
Matt, you don't need to time it, just hold downward pressure on the shifter with the throttle closed, and when you blip it, it will shift.
Cant go wrong with that! I like learning new things even though I may not always do it. Kind of like how I want to master how to wheelie, stoppie, and slide the rear. It's not something I will do often, but being familiar with it and the extra bike control is neat. I wouldnt do that to my 400 though, it is too precious to me. Might eventually pick up a 125 mini-moto to practice this on in the next 10 years.Nope, I’m a simple man with simple tastes. Nothing flashy. Just pull in the clutch and downshift thru gears at appropriate speeds until a smooth stop. Don’t need to make it more complicated for no reason.
I've been practicing clutchless up shifting recently because of Ari's video. I want to get to the point where it feels natural but my old ways makes me feel like I'm cheating lol. After I feel confident on upshifting I'll work on clutchless downshifts, so far that really feels weird to me.
The thing that helped me was consciously thinking of the steps and logical physics, and also the feel. From there, it kind of all clicked into place! It also helps when the engine + oil is warmed up.I've been practicing clutchless up shifting recently because of Ari's video. I want to get to the point where it feels natural but my old ways makes me feel like I'm cheating lol. After I feel confident on upshifting I'll work on clutchless downshifts, so far that really feels weird to me.
did it without thinking once a month ago and now it’s kind of like second nature.
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