[B]To clutch or not to clutch[/B]

[henzilla]

To clutch or not to clutch

Was just wasting time waiting for lunch...
Was wondering what folks thoughts and practices were in regards to use of a clutch while riding? I do most of the time, but on different bikes and cages have often only used for take off and downshifting. If my clutch hand happens to be messing with GPS,camera,I-Pod,helmet,etc. I sometimes just hit the next gear and move on.
With the push button shifting common to race bikes and a lot of C-rockets I think it is more common than ever.

Whats your clutch doing for you?:lurk

[henzilla]

NICE,Henson! title didn't quite come out right!:doh

[Motor31]

Why are you fiddling with the farkles instead of paying attention to the riding? That's pretty much like the cell phone while driving situation isn't it?

As far as the clutch is concerned, I use it all the time. The only time I didn't was when the cable started to shred and I needed to get back a few miles to home for repair. Fussing with farkles is no reason to put that kind of shock stress on gears in an expensive transmission.

[screwtop]

I've heard all kinds of opinions on this one. I've shifted without the clutch, but for the most part, I think it's there to be used, and I use it. I do preload the shifter to take up some travel to make my shifts a bit smoother, but that's about it.

[henzilla]

I usually use mine...and don't fart with the gizmos when in traffic...since I do gripe about the cell phone thing. Had ridden a broken clutch cable for about 50 miles...ONCE, but that was a l-o-n-g time ago and the bike was push startable at stops...when I had to!

I just was watching some motorcycle tech shows and road racing and see all the SpeedShifters installed on even street legal 'Busas and such ruinning them for upshifts...

[YELLOW_S]

I have a R1100S, I always use clutch. I tried to do some speed shifting, but the gear box just wasn't built for it. It gives out big loud clunks... Not that it doesn't do that all the time... lol