I use my clutch all the time, but not my brakes, never use them. I've had to replace the forks and front wheel several times, and I don't have any front teeth, but my brakes are good as new.

 

Heh heh thats a light load for me!
FYI 80,000 lbs is Federal GVW limit not Tare. Unless of course you are on a State road with an permit...or just ona back road with a load of bark or heavy equip and 'forgot' to fill out yer permit book

 

80,000 lbs is only 40 tons. I regularly haul 97,000+ Kgs, which is 97 metric tons. AND, I only use the clutch to start or stop. I also use progressive shifting, that is shifting from 1 to 2 at about 600RPM, 2-3 at a slightly higher rpm, and so on until finally getting into top gear at about 1700rpm.
But enough about truckin'. I always use the clutch on my bike, but not in my pickup or car. I have practiced clutchless shifting on my HD on occassion, but don't make a habit of it. I believe that no matter what transmission you have, not using the clutch will not harm it, as long as YOU KNOW HOW.

 

Oh what the hell. I drove OTR for yrs and hardly ever used the clutch, know few pro's that do, most clutch lovin boys were straight out of school and at least a tad dangerous.
As far as my HD, I usually do use the clutch, but I'm perfectly at ease without it. Broke a clutch cable once on a run in OK and didn't feel like riding 100 miles to get one so I winged it for 3 days, even ran the poker run thru the Arbuckles and rode cross streams n gully's(good poker run), did it two up as well so there
Usually any more I just skip the clutch when I have my cell ph in my hand or a glass of whiskey or sumpthin important or if I'm haulin asp trying to cut a smidgen of time. No problem shifting up or down wo the clutch.
I will echo others if you know how do it ifn ya want, if you don't know how probly best left to those who do.

 

Did it in my old 73' MG Midget. I always shifted gears in that car without the clutch. It took me a few shifts to know when/where the "sweet spot" was to do the shifting. I was wondering if I could do that on my bike.

 

wow..y would u not use a clutch?..r u fingerless on the left hand?..it takes minimal effort..its all part of the ride mate..enjoy the clutch and the rest of the bike that
u may have to manually opperate..i know i do

 

After racing motocross for the past 24 years. I never used the clutch for shifting. This practice maintains max redline rpm's. MX bike tranny's are designed to allow high rpm "clutchless" shifting provided you know exactly how to "time" the shift. It's not just as simple as "hold throttle WO and bang next gear".

I tried just out of curiosity, to shift my Harley clutchless. NO FRIGGIN WAY. The tranny is not designed to allow the gear load to be shifted without clutch. I can "slip" the clutch during shifting if I pull the lever in just enough, but thats it. You don't need to pull the clutch all the way to the bars to attain a smooth shift..

 

Michigan is 160,000 (80 tons) as long as you are plated for it and have the axles. More with proper permits.

 

The only time I shift without the clutch is when raceing,or the cable broke.Don't like replacing gears.

 

Yabba-Dabba Dooo!