Comments on: Clutchless Shifting

By: robotribe

robotribe — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:44:16 +0000

@Subaruzi:
As far as fancy levers go, I can only speak for Pazzo levers. Simply put, yes, they are indeed every bit easier to use than the OEM Honda levers on my bike. The clutch pull is lighter and I can brake with two fingers with as much control and more ease than the stock levers. Plus, if you’ve got small hands like me, you can adjust them (or really, leave them at their lowest setting) to be closer to the grip/bar.

I liken the difference to cheap running shoes from Payless (stock levers) compared to REAL running shoes like New Balance, Asics, Brooks, Saucony etc. (aftermarket/Pazzo). You don’t know what you’ve got actually sucks until you try something better. That’s my experience, at least.

Aesthetically, they deliver as advertised too.

By: Zac Hunter

Zac Hunter — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:39:46 +0000

Lightly preloading the shift lever before cutting off the throttle also helps. When the engine speed is right, it will pop into the next gear and off you go. According to Keith Code (I can’t remember the exact article), clutchless upshifting is faster too. The idea is that it takes less time to shift so more time is spent with the engine pushing out power to the rear wheel. When using the clutch, the time it takes to disengage it is time/power lost to the rear wheel. I have noticed this on onramps etc when I can really open the bike up, and I have heard it makes a world of difference on the track.

P.S. I just need to vent that I got my first parking ticket on the bike today. $60 for residential 2-hour limit. The worst part is, I was sharing a single spot between driveways with another that didn’t get one. Life is cruel sometimes.

By: Subaruzi

Subaruzi — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:09:58 +0000

Two thoughts:

1. Do fancy control levers make a difference from stock? Are they smoother or easier to use or is it just an aesthetic thing?

2. I have been clutch-less shifting for a while, primarily by accident. What I mean is that I learned to ride on an old 2 stoke enduro and would occasionally fail to engage the clutch the whole way and discovered that it would shift. I now do it as a force of habit type thing but I have been wondering about damage to the transmission. I guess it boils down to–> As long as I am not grinding gears or forcing a shift am I causing any damage or unnecessary wear?

By: Sanka

Sanka — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:48:40 +0000

Careful being REAL firm with the shift because if it gets “stuck” in between it may pop back down to the lower gear. This has happened to me coming out of an off ramp into JFK, the bike fishtailed greatly but thankfully regained its composure and did not crash. I must admit, it was a half hearted shift though.

By: robotribe

robotribe — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:02:30 +0000

So you’re saying I didn’t need to upgrade to the fancy Pazzo levers (like the photo, but the shorty versions) to make shifting easier?!?!?!

(I would have anyway since they look SO sweet)