Shifting in general...

[Bakerist]

Alright, I got my bike almost a year ago, put about 6000 glorious miles on the sucker myself this past year. I haven't stunted, nor will I (well, maybe in the future sometime), and I always thought of my shifting as crappy. I try to shift quickly, so the rpms don't drop and sometimes I get that clunking noise everyone talks about. I dunno, I guess you could say my shifts aren't all that smooth. What are some tips to shifting smoothly that doesnt hurt the engine or the tranny? I heard many people talk about preloading the shifter, which I try sometimes and doesnt help much. Also, a lot of ppl say not to close the throttle all the way. Is it bad for the bike to close the throttle completely while shifting? Is it bad for the clutch not closing the throttle? I've had no tranny problems so far, and am trying to avoid any in the future, thats mainly the point of this thread. Thx in advance.



I know im a asking this question, but hell, no accidents in my first year you gotta gimme some credit for that.

[wentouch]

a full clutch is really only necessary at times of launch or when one intends to slow down by downshifting. all other gear shifts only require a be light, quick & smooth application/ pull.

at all other times your hands do not need to even be touching the clutch, although it is ok to rest your fingers on it! only at times of execution!

hope this helps.

[ReCK1]

I had a question similar to bakerist's as well. I have been riding for little over 3 months now and would appreciate any help with shifting. The best method that has worked for me so far is to ease off the throttle a bit and give the clutch little squeeze and its pretty smooth but sometimes I end up pulling the clutch in almost half way then releasing it fast and I have a feeling that might be damaging something.

Also when taking off in 1st, now that my bike is broken into and I can go past 6K rpm sometimes it seems that 1st is lagging a bit around 9K rpm and bike doesn't want to shift into 2nd gear smoothly, its produces a small pop/click noise along with a small jolt. Would appreciate any help/tips/suggestions, thanks in advance.

[wentouch]

Not quite sure what your question is but...

As to your first paragraph, pulling the clutch in almost half way (or even completely) then releasing it quickly will not damage anything, but it may wear your clutch more quickly by burning the clutch depending if you are reving and how high you are reving while engaging the clutch. the more you throttle during engagement, the greater the wear.

The appearingly nonsmooth transition to 2nd is also normal on the R6; R6's box is typically clunky, and one of the few criticisms of the R6. try blipping the throttle while only slightly engaging the clutch during the transition!

booyah!

[fjman]

On a related note (and I suppose this belongs in the racing section), if you're drag racing, is it faster to shift without the clutch by snapping off the throttle slightly, or faster to shift with the throttle held open and use the clutch?

Didn't test this when I was last at the strip, was working on 60's (and sucking!).

Maybe one of the guys with a bunch of strip experience can help out here.

[mdsolutions]

Originally Posted by fjman

On a related note (and I suppose this belongs in the racing section), if you're drag racing, is it faster to shift without the clutch by snapping off the throttle slightly, or faster to shift with the throttle held open and use the clutch?

Didn't test this when I was last at the strip, was working on 60's (and sucking!).

Maybe one of the guys with a bunch of strip experience can help out here.

It is a lot faster (for me anyway) to shift clutchless, you don't need to completely close the throttle, just a slight blip. If the shifter is preloaded it will go to the next gear almost instantly.

I don't see how you could shift using the clutch w/o rolling off the throttle, as soon as you pulled the clutch the bike will hit the rev limiter.

[fjman]

I don't see how you could shift using the clutch w/o rolling off the throttle, as soon as you pulled the clutch the bike will hit the rev limiter.

Exactly. You'll bounce the limiter (or just rev up a bit, depending on your shift points) and the clutch will slip as the power comes back in.

I only mention it becuase I know that it's the faster way to shift a car (while dragracing) if you don't get wheelspin from it. Didn't know how it'd apply to a bike, though.

[jdoggg1]

Originally Posted by minicheese01

Exactly, thats why I stay in first gear everywhere I go, no matter what. Easier on my clutch and transmission. I get some weird looks on the highway at 16000 rpms in first, especially with my D&D pipe but that saves me from having to use my horn also.

Get a new gixxer 1k and you can do 110in first... you'll never need to leave it!

[fjman]

Some drag racers actually shift by bouncing the limiter intentionally... they hit the limiter with the shifter preloaded, the power cuts, and the bike shifts. It's not all that bad, just wouldn't wanna stay on it for terribly long