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Clutchless Shifting - Riding Skills Series
Upshifting Without A Clutch
Once its fundamental theory is understood, the skill of clutchless upshifting
is typically mastered in a matter of minutes. For first-timers, snicking
slickly through the gears without the clutch brings a smile of wonderment, as
if they just learned a new magic trick.
Surprisingly, the last time this shifting trick was discussed in these pages
it brought about a storm of controversy that continues through Sport Rider
correspondence to this day. It's actually a time-honored technique that I
first read about in a Motorcyclist story about Eddie Lawson more than two
decades ago. After that story was published, Lawson earned four Grand Prix
world championships, all before the rider-aid wizardry of electric shifters,
which, by the way, use the same basic principles discussed here. Anyone who
still doubts the advantages of clutchless upshifting is welcome argue with
Mr. Lawson, though last time I checked he still isn't one to lose at anything.
Though it's difficult for many to initially accept, upshifting without a
clutch is in many ways simpler than the conventional
pull-the-clutch-in-while-rolling-off-the-gas,
shift-up,let-the-clutch-out-smoothly-while-rolling-back-on-the-gas method
most of us grew up using. Instead, simply preload the shifter lightly, then
quickly let off the throttle slightly and then back on and-presto-you're in
the next gear. Done correctly, a clutchless upshift sounds and feels like
that of an electric shifter, and no, it's not abusive to the transmission;
countless years of the SR staff racing their personal bikes stand witness to
this. The key qualifier here is the phrase "done correctly." Fortunately this
is as easy to feel as it is to learn.
First, understand that while accelerating, even mildly, you're able to
lightly lift (preload) the shift lever with your toe without causing the
transmission to shift or pop out of gear. By lightly, we mean perhaps two to
four pounds of upward pressure for a moment before your desired shift point.
Then, as the tach sweeps past the desired rpm, simply crack the throttle
slightly off, then instantly back on, as quick as a blink of an eye. Don't
fully shut the throttle; only close it enough to momentarily reverse the
acceleration load on the transmission before returning the twist grip to its
original position. Remember to release the pressure on the shift lever after
the shift to allow the mechanism to ratchet back and index the next gear.
As Kevin Schwantz teaches at his school, clutchless upshifting doesn't have
to be under full-throttle acceleration and, in fact, is best learned under
moderate acceleration at partial throttle. Once mastered, however, you'll
find that it works at any speed and any rpm. Initially, it takes a bit of
trial and error to get the timing and feel for it, and different bikes may
require slightly different amounts of throttle change or quickness of
movement, but you'll know when you hit the right combination. The shifter
should snick into gear with a smooth movement and no notchiness. The bike's
acceleration between gears should be virtually seamless.
All this clutch-free shifting business isn't just to impress your friends or
passenger, however; there are several tangible advantages as well. As a man
who earned his living (and the '93 world championship) wrestling savagely
unsophisticated two-stroke GP bikes before the days of engine-management
software, Schwantz is able to demonstrate that a well-executed clutchless
upshift upsets the bike less than a conventional shift. In my 26 years of
experience, I miss fewer shifts when I shift without using the lever on my
left handlebar. Exiting right-hand corners with my body hung off to the
inside (I'm talking track riding here, since, for several reasons, I do not
hang off on the street), it's far easier to just snap back the throttle for
an upshift than to make sure my left forearm is in position to allow my
fingers to properly manipulate the clutch as well. It's simply one less thing
to do, one less thing to think about and one less thing to go wrong.
We're not saying you should forget about using the clutch entirely; there are
plenty of situations where it's likely to be to your advantage. But at the
same time, clutchless upshifting is a skill worth learning. Don't get
discouraged if it doesn't come to you on your first, second or 16th time.
Practice it in a parking lot, or on a remote stretch of straight road, at
moderate speed in an environment that allows you to give this novel technique
your full attention and, by trial and error, varying the quickness and amount
of throttle movement, it will come to you. When the situations warrant it,
using your new shifting skill should give you all the satisfaction of pulling
a rabbit out of a hat.