clutchless downshifting

Discuss riding techniques, styles and tips here.

clutchless downshifting

Postby Mickwitchy » Sun Apr 14, 2013 4:46 pm

Hey guys,

Heard about doing this a while back (I think it might've even been twist of the wrist 1) and just recently decided to give it a go. Seems to work quite well if you have good wrist control. I've been blipping while downshifting for a while, however I have always used clutch. I like doing it clutchless since it requires much less of a throttle blip, and it leaves your left hand firmly placed on the bar the whole time.

I just wanted to get some feedback from people including experienced track day riders and racers if possible on any potential hardware damage/other cons associated with downshifting this way.

Any info appreciated.

Cheers,

Mick
Mickwitchy
Warming up
Warming up
 
Posts: 78
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:00 pm
Bike: ZX10R
State: ACT

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Wattie » Sun Apr 14, 2013 4:50 pm

I do it on the road. but on track I tend to pull the clutch in bang the gears (1, 2 or 3) and drop the clutch and let the slipper do its thing.
If I don't have a slipper (dirt bike) I do the same but I moderate the clutch to make my own slipper.
Wattie #55
ZX10R "The Crim"
ZX10R "Gumby"
Proudly Supported by Allfixed Automotive 9634 1455
sam & srt, survived
RGM, left a message
User avatar
Wattie
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 10039
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: Bligh Park
Bike: ZX10R
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Mickwitchy » Sun Apr 14, 2013 5:31 pm

So you don't blip at all on the track?
Mickwitchy
Warming up
Warming up
 
Posts: 78
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:00 pm
Bike: ZX10R
State: ACT

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Wattie » Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:06 pm

Nope. Have slipper, no need
Wattie #55
ZX10R "The Crim"
ZX10R "Gumby"
Proudly Supported by Allfixed Automotive 9634 1455
sam & srt, survived
RGM, left a message
User avatar
Wattie
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 10039
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: Bligh Park
Bike: ZX10R
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Wattie » Sun Apr 14, 2013 6:15 pm

Wattie #55
ZX10R "The Crim"
ZX10R "Gumby"
Proudly Supported by Allfixed Automotive 9634 1455
sam & srt, survived
RGM, left a message
User avatar
Wattie
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 10039
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: Bligh Park
Bike: ZX10R
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Mickwitchy » Sun Apr 14, 2013 9:10 pm

Man that thing backs into turns like nobody's business ha ha. Not sure I'd have the skill to control it downshifting that way...

You say you clutchless downshift on the street, so I guess there's no dramas with hurting the bike?
Mickwitchy
Warming up
Warming up
 
Posts: 78
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:00 pm
Bike: ZX10R
State: ACT

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Jonno » Sun Apr 14, 2013 11:59 pm

http://youtu.be/4BGare6iLGI

like the braking squiggle into turn 2 and the bike @51sec :kuda:
User avatar
Jonno
Mobile Chicane
 
Posts: 5613
Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2004 4:10 pm
Location: Brisbane
Bike: Other Kawi
State: Queensland

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Wattie » Mon Apr 15, 2013 6:00 am

Yeah, the Wakefield vid I was using an old hard slick.
It was great for backing it in. But also bad getting on the gas early.

The eastern creek vid was on FX control tyres so much more grip :lol:
Wattie #55
ZX10R "The Crim"
ZX10R "Gumby"
Proudly Supported by Allfixed Automotive 9634 1455
sam & srt, survived
RGM, left a message
User avatar
Wattie
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 10039
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: Bligh Park
Bike: ZX10R
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby ZX9R Man » Wed Apr 01, 2015 4:26 pm

I'm not sure why you want to do this on the street ? Won't the use of no clutch affect control ?
I think for a street scenario, it is absolutely ridiculous.
For a G.P. race or similar, yes perhaps. Squiggle on braking is fantastic to watch and just goes to show what lengths these riders are willing to go to indicate the need to go faster and faster and faster and faster and faster an---=-=-r--r3=t-q===
faster !!!!! !

How much lighter and faster do we need to go ??
Shhit. What happened to when it was all about rider skill and not necessarily how fast the machine was ?
R.I.P. Barry Sheene #7 (with the cross bar in the 7).
User avatar
ZX9R Man
KSRC Member
KSRC Member
 
Posts: 211
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:24 am
Bike: ZX9R
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby tim » Wed Apr 01, 2015 7:43 pm

Not everyone has the same attitude, ability, level of experience or hardware as you, so what you think doesn't apply to everyone else. Your opinion is just that ;)
ZX9R Man wrote:I'm not sure why you want to do this on the street ? Won't the use of no clutch affect control ?
I think for a street scenario, it is absolutely ridiculous.
For a G.P. race or similar, yes perhaps. Squiggle on braking is fantastic to watch and just goes to show what lengths these riders are willing to go to indicate the need to go faster and faster and faster and faster and faster an---=-=-r--r3=t-q===
faster !!!!! !

How much lighter and faster do we need to go ??
Shhit. What happened to when it was all about rider skill and not necessarily how fast the machine was ?
R.I.P. Barry Sheene #7 (with the cross bar in the 7).
2008 ZX6R Special Edition
User avatar
tim
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 5815
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:12 pm
Location: Sydney, NSW
Bike: ZX6R
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Glen » Wed Apr 01, 2015 8:14 pm

Clutch is there for a reason. I kind of reckon the manufacturers probably know best and it seems like a waste of money if you don't use it. :) If you can't manage the bike while you pull the clutch in and blip the throttle to down change you should probably be riding a scooter.

Twist of the wrist is written by a bunch of masturbation marketers who want to make you feel like a superbike racer. It's all a wank and really....on the road....who cares.

Cynical old fart signs off..........
It's really all about standing around drinking Dave's beer.
2008 ZRX1200 Greeeeen Roadie
2016 KTM Superduke 1290 Oraaaaange
2016 Seadoo RXTX300
Too many toys.......work is getting in the way!!!!
User avatar
Glen
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 7268
Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 10:30 am
Location: Kellyville
Bike: ZRX
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Wattie » Fri Apr 03, 2015 6:29 pm

You're right Glen.
Imagine how hard it would be to start and stop without a clutch. :-)
Wattie #55
ZX10R "The Crim"
ZX10R "Gumby"
Proudly Supported by Allfixed Automotive 9634 1455
sam & srt, survived
RGM, left a message
User avatar
Wattie
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 10039
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: Bligh Park
Bike: ZX10R
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby ZX9R Man » Sat Apr 04, 2015 2:47 pm

+1
In addition, I wouldn't like to buy a streeter from someone who doesn't use a clutch.
Sorry, but I constitute this as abuse.
Standard bikes no.
Take your pick.
User avatar
ZX9R Man
KSRC Member
KSRC Member
 
Posts: 211
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:24 am
Bike: ZX9R
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Wattie » Sat Apr 04, 2015 7:56 pm

What do you think quick shifters do?
And auto blippers?
Wattie #55
ZX10R "The Crim"
ZX10R "Gumby"
Proudly Supported by Allfixed Automotive 9634 1455
sam & srt, survived
RGM, left a message
User avatar
Wattie
VIP MEMBER
VIP MEMBER
 
Posts: 10039
Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:23 pm
Location: Bligh Park
Bike: ZX10R
State: New South Wales

Re: clutchless downshifting

Postby Mickwitchy » Sun Apr 05, 2015 10:02 pm

What? You guys don't just force the shift lever until it goes into gear (or snaps off)? ;)
Mickwitchy
Warming up
Warming up
 
Posts: 78
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:00 pm
Bike: ZX10R
State: ACT

Next

Return to Riding Technique Discussion

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests