changing gear without the clutch
 

i changed gear without using the clutch by accident today - it sounded normal, not like when in a car and you hear grinding. why?

Up or Down?

Different type of gearbox: Synchro in a car, and a step type in the bike
In other word you can choose and gear in a car but not on a bike - simpler box = easier to use I guess

Don't try going down though.....................

Because you can. Out of first there is no need to use it! there are pros and cons... Just make up your own mind whether it is smooth enough!

I can go up and down without a problem (providing you get the revs right). But I don't do it often - normally just to practice in case I ever lose the clutch when out...

You should also be able to do it in your car (again get the revs matched), but again I only do it in case I ever have to drive without a clutch - it doesn't to it the world of good :) Not sure what it does to the bike gearbox...

Going up the gearbox on a bike really isn't a problem if you roll off the throttle a little as you do it, I don't see a point much on the road but it's not a problem if done right, going down the box is technically ok, but best avoided. It's called "clutchless shifting" bizarrely enough :wink:

I never use the clutch to change up, well maybe first to second if I'm taking a pillion, but otherwise I don't even remember the last time I used the clutch for an up-shift. Bike gear boxes are apparently designed this way and it is so much smoother. Just don't clutchless shift down (too often) unless you want to bu**er the bike good and proper.

can sombody tell me if its really bad for the bike to shift down without the clutch.

i always do it, shift and blip at the same time, always goes in no problem at all. If im going real slow ill somtimes use the clutch if it needs it.

am i doing the bike any harm?

I clutchless up a lot, works very well under acceleration. First to second is a bit iffy, and down I can do but don't often, purely because I like to smooth out the engine breaking.

If the change is smooth then no, no harm ... if you are forcing the leaver and the bike is jerking ... that is not so clever!! :lol: Its a lot more tricky to get a smooth downshift.

Phew. Had me worried there. Luckily I've nailed the art of smooth clutchless downshifts. The bikes suspension knows nothing about the gear change, and I'm confident it's so smooth it wouldn't really upset me in mid corner doing it. I'm still not going to be changing gears mid corner unless I absoluetly have to though (in which case, I'm riding poorly).

As for the up from first to second, try it a little sooner than you do the other gears, works wonders. :)

All the above is experience learnt from the last couple of months commuting. I've done more in maybe 3 months than most weekend warriors (nothing wrong with being a warrior by the way) do in a year. Currently standing at just over 5k, all done by me, other than the 4 mile pre-delivery check run.