This may be stupid but.....

[His_and_Her_Buells]

wet clutch= slipper clutch?

No, slipper clutches will slightly engage clutch when down shifting to eliminate the possibility of rear wheel lockup (which will cause tire hop). Not sure how all slipper clutches work but Buell (on the Rotax engines) usea the vacuum during deceleration (when vacuum is at its peak) to engage the clutch. LeFox, please correct me if I'm wrong

 

[PorcelainRabbit]

hmmm, fancy. lol.

 

[xtremelow]

Upshifting---When I am hard on it, going fast I don't use the clutch only when I am cruising.


Downshifting---It depends on the rpm's if I am high I will use the clutch but if I am low I just downshift without the clutch.

I would say I use my clutch about 45% of the time. I learned on my bike to upshift without the clutch just back off the throttle a bit but to downshift with the clutch and I altered as I learned how to ride.

 

[fahren]

I would use the clutch always. Lots of good comments above: XB transmissions aren't the best; Buells are not like jap bikes.

However, your shifts will be faster if you "preload" the shifter: lift up on it slightly before pulling in the clutch, so part of the shifter travel is already done.

 

[jimmydean]

I have and will always use a clutch. I like using a clutch, but I could just be strange. My R1 is plenty fast that .5 seconds does not make a difference on the street.

 

[only1reds]

Clutch to me is like second nature

MY 2¢

 

[keisersozae]

I dont always use my clutch. uneccesary. i once drove a 92 toyota truck for 3 weeks with no clutch pedal waiting on the new one to come in. it had the clutch start release button so you could put the truck in first gear not running, push the clutch start release button and then turn the key, off you go. You just get used to how the gears work without forcing it. Same thing with the bike, i can shift as smooth without it as i can with it when im on the gas. When cruising ,as extremlow said, you use your clutch.