I hold my clutch in the friction zone, about haflway out, by the time I let it out , Im accelerating into second which I hit around 25-30 RPM.

 

I feather the clutch out slowly till I have a smooth start. I don't look at the speedometer to see at what speed that point it is that I totally leave go of the clutch.

 

Took the bike out a couple times since I started this thread and I've worked on releasing the clutch before I'm going the speeds I was before. It hasn't really done anything for my acceleration, but what I have noticed is that I don't need to death grip the clutch when shifting. By that I mean I don't have to squeeze in the clutch till it won't go in anymore, which is basically what I've been doing. Seems I can get some quicker shifts by doing this; its just an in and out smooth, almost continuous motion with the clutch.

 

With time and practice you will find that you don't even NEED the clutch at all for upshifts (just let off the throttle a bit, and at the same time prod the shifter up then back on the throttle). Saves your fingers when riding in really cold weather.

** Note ** this doesn't work from neutral to first, and is tricky on downshifts.

 

to get a smooth launch I grab a lot of throttle, around 3000rpm, then release the clutch into the friction zone and it launches me, then i back off the throttle and ease the clutch out, this removes that jerk when you think you got a good start and you release the clutch and it pulls. after the clutch is out fully i can continue to gun it. this is just how i drive though when im racing it its a different technique

 

ahhhh yes that friction zone......spent many hours in the MSF course on that topic

 

Speaking of the safety course.. any sugggestions for someone thats going to be taking it in the next week or two..?