killer5280

Done properly I don't think there's more wear and tear doing clutchless upshifts. I always use the clutch for 1-2 (and it's still kinda rough).

VTRsurfer

In a car transmission you would be wearing the snycromesh gears shifting without the clutch. Motorcycle trans don't use syncros, but still some wear must occur. I don't see the advantage if you are not on the track.

SuperMike

I like shifting with out the clutch, and like what has been said it is really smooth if timed properly. I read in a moto mag that it does not hurt anything if done properly. Some of my friends swear that it will wear the lower gears out though. I usually use the clutch for the lower gears.

VTRumble

Most of the time I only clutch 1-2, if I'm just cruising around, I'll downshift without the clutch also. It takes some practice but can be done very smoothly .

CentralCoaster

The bike gears aren't synchronized?

I'll have to experiement with the clutchless downshifts, I hadn't tried that.

I figure whether or not I'm using the clutch I need to learn to match revs properly during shifts to keep it smooth.

RCVTR

I normally use the clutch on the street, unless I'm doing a WOT run.

On the track the clutch is a stop and go device. Well, not really. I use it for downshifting and preventing wheel hop when decelerating.

For clutchless upshifts it's kind of like a reverse throttle blip from wide-open. You only drop it a bit. I time it with the shift, rather than preloading the shift lever. You want to be sure the gears are unloaded before the shift happens.

I think it's beter for the transmission than excessively lazy shifts, where you can hear the dogs clunk.

If you watch the on-bike cameras on race bikes, you can see them use the clutch for downshifting, then let it out easily on corner entry.

VTRsurfer

Syncro gears in a car trans are narrow toothed brass gears that line up with the thicker steel gears. Before syncro transmissions you had to "double clutch" to down shift and come to a COMPLETE STOP before shifting into 1st or it would grind.
I've never had an MC trans apart, but I know they don't have syncros. They use "dogs" to engage gears.

Hotbrakes

No clutch here. On the street I usually use it unless I'm going flat out, which is pretty much never. Once I hit 3rd, it stays there.

trinc

on the track i use the clutch up & down. the quick motion helps me keep my gear count. .

tim

Death Cattle

i use the clutch in every gear no matter what, even when i wheelie. IMO, the clutch is obviously there for a reason, so i use it.

killer5280

I use it most of the time, both up and down, but when you're really getting on it clutchless upshifts can be both faster and smoother than when using the clutch.