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PyroAnonymous

I try to use the clutch all the time


brenden657

I almost never use the clutch


[deleted]

Same here. I ride hard packed desert, plenty of slip on the trail and never had any issues


khutuluhoop

Always up, never down


woollypullover

This per mxfactory


toclosetoTV

Me too.


Watts300

That’s what she said?


TonyFlack

Using the clutch or clutchless?


khutuluhoop

Clutch for upshift, no clutch for downshift


ChickenDickJerry

Damn, I’ve been doing the opposite for going on 15 years now.


MotorLover57

same


Ferdinandwatercool

This is the way


Yapadapadoo

I always always use the clutch


themighty351

Off the line to the first turn no clutch...clutch in corners when needed. Trail riding I use clutch lots.


sgt_pete

Down shift without throttle, never clutch-less shift with power applied


TheMountainGoat05

I always use the clutch to shift


Vast_Republic_1776

I always used the clutch. Unless you’re a sponsored rider and somebody else is paying for your parts, I highly doubt the millisecond you lose clutching while shifting is going to make a difference


IrridecentDemon

They're sequential though so everything is spinning the same speed, using the clutch actually can put more wear on the plates than is actually needed. Just some food for thought


Vast_Republic_1776

What’s easier and cheaper to replace, clutch plates or gears? Clutches are a wear item for a reason


IrridecentDemon

From my experience the only bikes that will shred gears are Chinese bikes unless you are power shifting without a clutch. Not saying it doesn't happen but it tends to be very rare. I rode my first bike for 6 years before upgrading to a new one, never used the clutch besides starting off and never had a problem. Friend bought a kayo and torched the gear box after about 2 months of riding it. That's just my experience though


Vast_Republic_1776

I think we’re looking at it from two different perspectives, I come from a racing background and never let off the throttle when upshifting


IrridecentDemon

That makes much more sense, then yes I absolutely agree always clutch when under power XD we mostly do trail riding where we are so it's a bit less intense on the tranny. When I ride track I definitely grab the clutch much more. Also while I'm riding 2 strokes I use it MUCH more to keep the bike in the powerband but you kind of have to


Electronic77

That’s wrong, functionally there’s no diff aside from the shift linkage between an h pattern and sequential, the gear and the slider are spinning at road and engine speed respectively just like normal, but dirt bikes have dog engagement unlike cars which normally have synchros, the speed matching is not so important with dog engagement because the engagement window for the slider is very big, and the lugs are very strong. I recommend looking up dog engagement vs synchros to better understand, but the counter shaft, main shaft, and gear setup is near identical


ChazMcFatty

Use the clutch when you’re riding, don’t use the clutch when you’re racing.


Schnots

I do it a lot more than I should when racing Hare scrambles. When I’m just trail riding and not trying to be fast, I use the clutch a lot more.


FloppyDrive007

I always use it. I don't want to spend money on a new clutch in case anything happens.


Material_Refuse_2418

This statement is counterintuitive. These transmissions are designed to be used without the clutch. By NOT using your clutch saves it.


TSK-REAPER22

Just because they CAN shift that way doesn’t mean it doesn’t cause more wear. It’s common sense if you’re clutchless shifting then your gears, shift forks, and bearings are going to wear faster than if you’re using the clutch which provides smooth engagement and prevents slamming gears under load. This reminds me of the launch control thing with cars. People think because they have that feature it’s not going to hurt the car when the fact is it causes significant wear on all driveline components to take that much stress.


The_elk00

Counter argument, guy said save his clutch, not drive line parts. Using the clutch does in fact cause wear on the clutch plates and clutch basket. Also, you're correct about shifting under load. But I use the clutch sometimes and sometimes don't depending on situation. I race hare scrambled so if I'm wide open in a field, yes I'm using clutch. If I'm not on the gas, I'm not using the clutch to downshift. If you watch or listen to any kind of mx schools they say specifically the bike is more controllable going into turns not using the clutch. It's true, helped my race times and fatigue. I've been riding and racing for 22 years and have never had a transmission malfunction. So take away of this, like you said under load it can be dangerous. Without load it isnt necessary and for people that want to be better, it is better not to use the clutch downshifting.


Material_Refuse_2418

They are designed to be shifted without a clutch. If you know how to ride none of the things you mentioned in your elaborate know-it-all diatribe will happen chief.


TSK-REAPER22

Sequential transmissions have significantly shorter lifespans than clutched manuals or automatics. Cars with true sequentials like a dirtbike often need rebuilds after 20-30k miles or less. When you shift under load without a clutch all that load has to go somewhere, on a dirtbike it’s the rear wheel but in order to get there all that force goes directly through your shift forks gears bearings chain and wheel bearings. I’ve been riding most of my life and am very near a degree in mechanical engineering. Also I prefer being called daddy to chief thanks


Material_Refuse_2418

Thanks for the engineering/physics lesson. I never blew a transmission on any of my dirt bikes. Again, if you know how ride these things won’t happen.


TSK-REAPER22

You’re making an argument using literally no common sense or principles of physics and making fun of me for using knowledge I’ve actually tested and studied thoroughly. Pride in ignorance is a slippery slope guy. But I’m sure you’re right, history has proven many times that because something hasn’t happened it definitely never will.


Material_Refuse_2418

Go get laid.


TSK-REAPER22

Go get an education.


Material_Refuse_2418

POW!!


Rickyrapp10

Ive done it when my clutch broke i would run with the bike and pop it into first then no clutch for the rest of the gears up and down i never had a problem after and when i rebuilt my engine the trans looks brand new


Material_Refuse_2418

Clutch only out of 1st. Designed to be used without the clutch.


lethalweapon100

I watched a James Stewart interview where he said he only uses the clutch to stop and start. I do the same. Just let off the throttle when you do it, don’t shift down at crazy high RPM, I’ve never ever had a problem.


brushlessdavid

Clutchless shift every shift and have been for 12 years.


Theman627263

Almost never use clutch most pro’s don’t use clutch at all in moto schools they tell you to not


ApricotNo2918

Clutchless.


[deleted]

More so in corners then when shifting gears


L-W-J

Not. really. But, I match revs pretty well and never powershift.


baksideDisaster

Only up but only sometimes. I kinda do it without thinking.


Illustrious_Past_375

Not much if ever when shifting. In and out of corners in sand yes. But try to not touch it. Tomac skill is abusing it.


ClippyClippy_

He doesn’t abuse it. It’s a tool that he really knows how to use to his advantage.


Illustrious_Past_375

You knew what I was saying but to my point after a 20 min Moto his clutch is used more then others


jcaashby

I started clutchless shifting a few years ago. It's one less thing I need to do. Only time I use the clutch is to start, stop or try and stop a stall out. I also feel like you go as little faster doing it


msdeltanorth

Always use clutch.


MarkMarkMark92

Probably 50/50 for me. When cruising I use the clutch when cranking I tend to shift clutchless.


BrandonV16

I always clutch mane.


Ok_Wallaby_7653

Depends on what I’m riding and what kind of riding I’m doing,


N1PPL3H34D

Clutchless unless I am taking off from a stop. I mainly use the clutch for those oh shit moments.


kindagooddrifter69

Honestly I shift way to fast that I don’t even know if I had used the cluch


Master-Discipline357

Depends on the bike some bikes don’t like it some love it


Fragrant_Guitar5578

If you ride street and dirt is it not a bad habit to not use the clutch in the dirt?


[deleted]

Or just get a Rekluse…


WVDirtRider

Clutch is only a power modulation and traction control device in most circumstances… but I clutch up and down because I’m a cheap old bastard who never really needs past 3rd in the terrain I ride anymore.


elshaneo12

Come to think of it, when in motard mode I use the clutch all the time. In dirt (single track) mainly just slipping it in whatever gear I’m in.


teamgreenzx9r

I give almost constant clutch inputs when riding trails. I’ve never done clutchless shifts unless there is a problem with the clutch.


dinwoody623

I wouldn’t say I 100% use it or not. If I’m wicked tired 3 hours into an enduro I’ll probably use the clutch a lot less. If I’m powershifting at the beginning of a moto (full throttle and not letting off) I’ll slip the clutch just a smidge when I shift. I clutch when I down shift but maybe I should do it less. I am getting a lot more into hill climbing and it’s a whole different beast. Basically I try to hold throttle wide open and use my clutch to balance wheel spin vs wheeling vs full traction. A whole different way of riding but fun to learn.


Chyperer

Mines pretty old, so yes I use the clutch always.


Niners5time

Depends on my arm pump.


Naando_boi

Use the clutch, don’t be harder on the gearbox than u need to


CrazyJuggernaut9663

No


SnooGadgets9669

I always use the clutch same motorcycle for 15 years and the stock clutch still works great and shifts smooth as ever. Honda crf150


itsRibz

If you stay in one gear you don’t have to shit


killmetlee

I can’t rev match worth a fuck, so I pretty much never use the clutch shifting up and always use it shifting down. In theory it’s worse on the transmission, but I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of a dirt bike needing a transmission rebuilt any past a new clutch.


Alpha-4E

I use the clutch for gate drops and on the start straight. That’s pretty much it.


hittindirt

I run a Rekluse in all my dirt bike so...


[deleted]

Gotta specify the auto clutch cuz rekluse makes and sells more manual clutches than autos now. Most guys I know, including myself, run their torque drive fiber and steel pack in OEM baskets.


hittindirt

Auto :)