I have a tendency to engage my clutch half way to give me the friction I need to keep the bike up when starting out in first gear or in heavy stop and go traffic. I am wondering is this bad for the transmission, clutch or anything else on the bike?

 

Shouldn't. Sounds like you are using the "friction zone" as you should be.

 

My advanced riders course teaches you to do that. Has never hurt anyones bike that I know of.

 

It is an oil cooled clutch unlike a dry clutch in a car is how it was explained to me. Using the friction zone is a good rider habit.

 

Good post and glad it was brought up. I have always treated a bike clutch like a car/truck using it in and out as quickly as possible.