To clutch or not to clutch.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 113
Likes: 30
From: Detroit
To clutch or not to clutch.
I'm sure this will bring some debate. My wife just finished her class at the local dealership. What was throwing her was the instructors insistence that the bike be fully in gear when making a turn. She was feathering her clutch through sharp right hand turns from speed.
I understand why this could considered dangerous or improper. I went out for a ride and tested it myself and love and behold I do the same thing. Going from X gear at 55mph and dropping down to second to navigate a right hand turn I always held the clutch in through the apex and release as I accelerate out of the turn. To get the bike fully in gear and turn without the clutch was very strange to me and impossible unless I tried really hard. It felt so foreign.
so question is. Do you hold your clutch in while making sharp turns or do you let the rom drop way down while staying in gear?
I understand why this could considered dangerous or improper. I went out for a ride and tested it myself and love and behold I do the same thing. Going from X gear at 55mph and dropping down to second to navigate a right hand turn I always held the clutch in through the apex and release as I accelerate out of the turn. To get the bike fully in gear and turn without the clutch was very strange to me and impossible unless I tried really hard. It felt so foreign.
so question is. Do you hold your clutch in while making sharp turns or do you let the rom drop way down while staying in gear?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 2,554
From: UK
First, reduce speed and then make sure you are in the correct gear for the speed of the turn, then accelerate (or at the very least keep the throttle constant) through the turn.
So you should not be feathering the clutch through the turn. The bike should be in the correct gear and powering round the turn to the exit.
So you should not be feathering the clutch through the turn. The bike should be in the correct gear and powering round the turn to the exit.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 212
From: Alabama
Clutch on the Harley, not on a sportbike.
Rode a Suzuki GS750E in the 80's, back end would drift if I clutched. Took awhile to override my instincts to clutch.
My Fatboy's rear tire was wide enough to not drift so just let my instincts have their way. I clutch going into the turn but power out halfway through.
Rode a Suzuki GS750E in the 80's, back end would drift if I clutched. Took awhile to override my instincts to clutch.
My Fatboy's rear tire was wide enough to not drift so just let my instincts have their way. I clutch going into the turn but power out halfway through.
Last edited by TeaRunner; May 14, 2018 at 08:21 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,971
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From: In front of the computer for now.
I always leave the clutch engaged. I try to estimate the speed, and therefore the gear, that I'll be in when I hit the apex to accelerate out of the turn. I don't want any "jolts" in the driveline as I accelerate out of the turn if I misjudge the engine rpm when I let the clutch lever out that might break the rear tire loose.
Last edited by monkeyboy22; May 14, 2018 at 08:22 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,801
Likes: 3,800
From: Cape Cod
low speed turns should be in gear.....clutch out........as stated.......at the apex should start rolling on throttle........hit the friction zone if needed and draggin rear brake........
coasting through a turn is not recommended.........
coasting through a turn is not recommended.........
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 82
Likes: 21
From: Washington
I've also wondered whether I should feather the clutch or have it fully engaged for low speed right-angle turns, like on street corners.
I found that, after slowing down, that feathering the clutch helps give me finer control over the power/acceleration. Higher speed curves I don't feather.
Not sure this is the correct technique though but given that Ride Like A Pro seems to use the feathering technique for low speed turns, this seems like the best way.
I found that, after slowing down, that feathering the clutch helps give me finer control over the power/acceleration. Higher speed curves I don't feather.
Not sure this is the correct technique though but given that Ride Like A Pro seems to use the feathering technique for low speed turns, this seems like the best way.
Last edited by TiRider; May 14, 2018 at 08:26 AM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Ive never pulled the clutch in and held it in through a turn. Who teaches that?
Have I downshifted just prior to a turn or slipped the clutch through a low speed turn (say a parking lot)? Yes, but thats not the same as holding the clutch in through a turn.
Have I downshifted just prior to a turn or slipped the clutch through a low speed turn (say a parking lot)? Yes, but thats not the same as holding the clutch in through a turn.
Last edited by Cygnusx51; May 14, 2018 at 08:29 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,129
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From: Illinois
I too, feather the clutch on turns, but only when I am going slower than 15-20 MPH like in a residential neighborhood for example. On curves or major intersections, I put it in proper gear and follow through with motor fully engaged.
