Speed shifting

[Hummer]

I've upshifted without the clutch for years on other bikes I wasn't too concerned about wrecking and never had any problems. Now that I'm on a Buell that I'd like to keep around a little longer, I find myself actually thinking a little more seriously about wear and tear.

I know there will be some that swear about their methods either one way or another, but who's got any info on whether this actually does any damage? Is it better to pin the throttle and just keep shifting, or back off between shifts, etc.

Just curious!

 

[upthemaiden]

Even if you're not gonna use the clutch, I think you still at least have to back off the gas when you want to shift. That's not confirmed info though, at least until someone comes by and confirms it.

 

[Livers]

Back off between shifts a tad, and I doubt you'll have any short term problems. I drive mine that way a lot, but not at full throttle.

I wouldn't advise doing a lot of WOT shifting sans clutch. A minor transmission repair does not exist for these models.

 

[Ronin1]

If I'm running it hard I'll load the shifter with my toe(as if trying to shift), and quickly snap the gas off/on full, and it will shift itself. 1st to 2nd is touchy though you have to be very deliberate about it, if you miss the overevving will curdle your blood!
The Buell is not as kind about clutchless shifting as most bikes probably due to the chain link between the engine & tranny.

Jim

 

[tuneport67ss]

Becareful loading the shifter. THis will most likely eventually cause major damage in the tranny. The syncros will go and if your lucky they wont take a gear with them. not saying dont do it, just saying be warey of it and watch the amount of load you do you use.

 

[BuddhaBuell]

I run my shifter set up GP style...
1 up and 4 down..
I like being able to slam thru the gears as fast when riding aggressivley and even tho the dif is minuscule I like it and thats all that counts!

 

[redrider]

I like the thought of GP style I think my old Norton commando was like that sooo many years ago. How do you go about doing that set up on a xb12 and i also let off the gas just a bit when i power shift.

 

[ak12r]

just switch the shift pivot to face forward..there is a thread on here somewhere with pictures.

 

[BuddhaBuell]

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Firebolt-XB12-XB9/gp-shift-or-normal

 

[Stevenc150]

If you're in it for the long-haul, use the clutch. Nothing solid to back it up, but I always err to the safe side.

 

[xtremelow]

I use the clutch when I am driving around town at lower speeds, but when I am cruising and being a little more aggressive I just blip back on the throttle and shift.

 

[vanson1200r]

The crank and flywheel weigh as much as the rest of the bike so it does not change speed fast...

 

[delta one]

I do it all the time but I was always told leaning on the lever is bad for the shift forks

low rpm clutchless and you need to hang on because the torque will toss you back a bit

on one of my older rides I would load the shifter until I tagged the rev limiter and it would shift as the throttle cut off.
haven't tried that on the buell

and with the 1 2 shift being as finicky as it is I don't think it would work as well.
with a throttle lift and a light pull on the clutch lever you can pop/slide into the next gear real quick and no need to worry about doing it clutchless

note that doing this will lift the tire as you grab the next gear (at least into 2 and 3 and even 4 if you are really pushing it), even on a '03 XB9.

 

[Hummer]

I end up with a heavy clunk every now and then between 1 and 2 if I'm on the throttle, even when I back off - say, 4000+RPM...it's the kind of clunk you feel with the toe but the shudder that shoots up my spine makes me think twice about really pushing the transmission. It's kind of what got me thinking about this topic to begin with.

 

[Ronin1]

I also use the clutch for 1-2 always because it's rough no matter how you try it clutchless. Although this is the best tranny of any harley I've ridden it's still behind other manufactures in terms of smoothness.
I've shifted my bikes (and cars) clutchless (75% of the time) since the beginning and have never broken or worn out any part of a transmission aside from shifter seals/bearings.

Jim

 

[kkjc63]

If they didnt want you to use the clutch they wouldnt have installed it ! You can get away without using it for awhile however in the long run its hard on the transmssion.

 

[Ronin1]

"If they didnt want you to use the clutch they wouldnt have installed it ! "
Thats a bit stupid of a reply but[confused]
They put passenger pegs on it too but they're useless on my bike!

Jim

 

[BuddhaBuell]

They put passenger pegs on it too but they're useless on my bike!

agreed, BamBam looks stupid imo with them on..
I keep them off except on the rare occasion I take my wife for a tour..

 

[xtremelow]

Hell my rass. pegs have gotten sold from each bike I own, BuellChick has her own bike so we really dont need them.

Either way using the clutch is going to always be an opinionated topic on when, where, and why to use it.