"Upshift" w/o clutch
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Valley Park, Missouri
"Upshift" w/o clutch
This morning on my '08 flstf, I accidently shifted from 2nd to 3rd without pulling in the clutch, and it shifted. I can't fathom not using the clutch, but when "upshifting" do you need to use the clutch, or can you just cut back on power and shift up in gears?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
I've wondered this myself. On the high revving sport bikes, it was this case. No clutch to upshift, but certainly to down shift.
Haven't tried yet on my harley. The way I always see it was that riding the harley is smooth, and I didn't have a need for the quick shift....I just enjoy that "nostalgic" sound of the harley revving up, shifting, and doing it again....
Haven't tried yet on my harley. The way I always see it was that riding the harley is smooth, and I didn't have a need for the quick shift....I just enjoy that "nostalgic" sound of the harley revving up, shifting, and doing it again....
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Likes: 1
From: Durham, NC
Can you, yes. Should you, matter of opinion. Mine, the bike has a clutch, might as well use it.
During my Riders Edge class a couple years ago, I heard so many clutchless shifts it wasn't even funny after a while.
During my Riders Edge class a couple years ago, I heard so many clutchless shifts it wasn't even funny after a while.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 1
From: Drexel Hill, Pa
I use to flat shift my GSXR up shifting and down shifting. Alittle throttle control and the right RPM's and it's as smooth as silk. On the harley, your running at a lower RPM and clutchless shifting is not as smooth. Up shifting is easy but down shifting I use the clutch. As long as the shift is smooth it won't hurt anything but if it's not you can do some damage.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: United Socialist Republic of Massachusetts
On my Yamaha 750 Maxim I almost never used the clutch (except start/stop)
when I tried that on my 04 roadking, I thought I was going to leave the trany behind!
I figured the four cylinder ran smoother than a twin and gave up.
after riding my 09 Crossbone I've shifted a couple of times without a clutch, no problem.
I wonder if it has to do with the counter balanced engine?
when I tried that on my 04 roadking, I thought I was going to leave the trany behind!
I figured the four cylinder ran smoother than a twin and gave up.
after riding my 09 Crossbone I've shifted a couple of times without a clutch, no problem.
I wonder if it has to do with the counter balanced engine?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 0
those ja panese bikes have gears that are better matched then a harley.
thats also one of the reasons some will hit 160 mph . a
i dont want to go replaceing a gear box just because i am too lazy to use the clutch.
thats also one of the reasons some will hit 160 mph . a
i dont want to go replaceing a gear box just because i am too lazy to use the clutch.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
My boss hammers through gears on his 01 fatboy. it has a bunch of engine work and he says your suppose to drive it like that. I just say ok. and use my clutch hah.
I've done it, my gixxer I do it all the time, my jeep I do it all the time. Harley, not so much.
I've done it, my gixxer I do it all the time, my jeep I do it all the time. Harley, not so much.
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I had the same thing happen to me on my 07 fatboy, while getting ready to grab the clutch to shift from 2nd to 3rd i hit the up shift and it shifted smoothly, but scared the @#$% out of me//lol
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Actually it's a matter of fact that you should not, at least as far as MoCo is concerned. The owner's manual for my Heritage specifcally warns against shifting without using the cutch. I've done it a few times accidentally and the world didn't come to an end, but it's definitely something I wouldn't make a habit of.
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Oct 6, 2011 09:46 PM
2003, accidentally, accidently, boy, clutch, dont, fat, harley, motorcycle, pulling, shift, shifted, shifting, upshift, upshifting
