yes sometimes I shift without the clutch. The thing that is different between the sportbikes and harley engines is the momentum of the engine. You have to be careful to match the rpm when you switch without the clutch, there isn't much error. By that I mean with a lighter engine you don't notice if the rpm isn't right, the gear forces it to the correct rpm. With a harley, it gives a tremedous clunk and the bike will lundge forward and I assume puts a lot of strain on the engine and tranny if the rpm isn't correct. And the problem is, it is an easy mistake to make, on a sports bike you shift without the clutch to save that fraction of a second shft time when you're accelerating. So on a harley, you rev er out to speed up, then like on a sport bike ease off on the gas and click the shifter at the same instant. Well the engine rpm is still matching the previous gear and that's when you have the problem. It's not a good feeling.

I don't know if I explained this very well, but in my experience, it's better to use the clutch on a harley. If you're accelerating slowly then go ahead and shift clutchless, avoid clutchless shifts on a hard acceleration.

 

It's not hard on the transmission; Harley is a constant mesh tranny, it can be done with ease and no ill effect on the tranny.

 

New question, for more technical gear heads.
I know not using the clutch is not hard on the tranny. But is there any benefit to not using the clutch? Like does this act save wear and tear on the clutch or parts?

I only do this when I'm too lazy to pull in the clutch. Is there any reason to do this more often?

I've always wondered this.

 

Every time you engage the clutch you are wearing it out. Granted, ever so slightly, but you are wearing it out. Over the coarse of xxx number of miles in the life of a clutch it will definitely last longer if you use it half as much. The same logic applies to the clutch cable and any clutch adjustments along the way. That said, IMHO I believe most of the wear on a clutch comes from starting off in 1st gear and improper downshifting. So when you consider that and the fact that if you do force the gear change and fxxx-up your trany the cost saving may not justify the non-use of your clutch between gears.

Jay

 

When I was riding dirtbikes, clutchless shifting, both up and down, was a way of life. Wouldn't think of it in the bike though.

 

+1 well I hit a bump that caused me to shift without the clutch

 

Any transmission with syncro gears can be shifted without the clutch. The reason for a clutch in the first place is to take the load off both the engine and tranny in unison to prevent shocking the drivetrain. If you try shiffting clutchless in an over-rev situation damage may occur.

 

You guys may not remember this, but back in the 50's there was a Brit built Indian 500 single called a woodsman. It was a 1 up 3 down shifter and I remember guys that had them never used the clutch. Just stomped the shifter to get thru the gears. Seemed to work really well, however I do not know about the longivety.

 

It will, but I don't and won't.

 

semi no clutch on the fatboy always