consequences of not using the clutch on my dirtbike?

Question

i have a 2003 yamaha ttr 125 trail bike. its really frustrating how hard it is to pull in the clutch every time i shift gears, because i have really small hands. i know most of you will think "oh boo hoo your hands are too small" but that combined with really bumpy terrain and frequent sharp turns makes it really difficult to concentrate on reaching out to pull in the clutch whenever i shift. as a result, ive formed a habit of not doing so. i think the only time i really ever use the clutch is if im trying to slow down really fast and dont want to throw myself over the handlebars. is it really that big of a deal that i dont use it? i always thought dirtbike engines were designed to function with minimal use of the clutch (probably niave me) but then i read on here that it is actually bad not to use it!?? is this true? i would appreciate any info you can give me on this (like how often repairs will have to be made if its bad that i dont use it).

thanks for your information everybody...even though almost every answer is different. the was "easygoing" explained it is how i assumed it worked (even though i dont ride street bikes just dirt) but i took it out today and practiced using the clutch. honestly sometimes though it sounds like im ripping the transmission to shreds when i use the clutch because it catches so...i uess roughly would be the way to put it? but maybe its just that i need to practice more because im not timing it up right...it just feels so much smoother when i let off the gas and switch.

but thankyou everyone so much for your help!

jess

Answer 1

you don' t always have to use the clutch to shift. That being said most good riders use the clutch much more than for shifting to regulate power/traction, speed. Most can feather the clutch with 1 or 2 fingers while maintaining grip with the others. Sounds like you may need a new clutch cable, lubricate all moving linkages, including the clutch lever pivot. Get one of those springy things to give your hads a workout while you're sitting on the toilet, etc... You should make friends with the clutch somehow.

Easygoing sounds like he lives in road bike world which is very different. I am a mechanic and rider for an offroad race team. We know what we are doing. If you don't use all your controls correctly you can do better. Maybe easygoing should go to a motocross and ask someone who knows. You don't just dump the clutch and go. If you're coming off a turn and have 25 feet to get up to speed to clear a double you better be ripping the motor and controlling acceleration with the clutch. On the flip if you're bombing down a hill into a tight corner go ahead and click the gears down without it. Easygoing should try getting up a steep hill in the woods with rocks and roots and turns without feathering the clutch. Get a clue.

The worst that can come from not using it is frequent tranny rebuild at about $800.00 a pop. Mostly the only time you'll do any damage is if you're upshifting under heavy throttle.

Answer 2

Easygoing explained the correct procedure for shifting gears without using the clutch.
It's not a good idea though.
If you make a half shift, or the trani has to clunk it's way into the next gear, you're putting a lot of strain on the trani and shifting components.
The gear "dogs" will get rounded, trying to mesh with each other.
The shift forks will get scored and bent trying to slide the gears sideways when the gear dogs run into a brick wall.
The grooves in the shift drum, will get worn and sloppy. Which won't move the shift forks at the proper time and amount. Which will wear down the gear dogs and allow the trani to shift out of gear, further bending the shift forks.
If you feel the trani clunking into gear, be prepared to repair the trani often.
Better choice - buy a bike you can operate properly.

Answer 3

jimbob should speak to the pro racing teams...

if the clutch is in then your not driving the back wheel..

which means your going slower than everyone else..

bikes have a constant mesh gear box.. which is why its hard to find a false neutral..

when changing up the gears ,, you put a bit of "weight" on the gear lever & blip the throttle.. the bike will change as soon as the motor stops pulling ( only takes a split second)..

going down the gears is a bit harder you need to accelerate to change down which seems like the wrong thing to do if your trying to stop.. on my road bikes I only use the cluthc to get mobile in first & just hang the first finger on my right hand over the clutch lever. I still pull with this finger when I change ..but it dosnt pull the clutch in.. It helps with getting the timing of the blip of the throttle in the right place..

use the same technique going down gears. blipping the throttle to make the motor rev & allow the down shift..

try it & see how it works..

my FJ1100 has 87,000 Kilometers on it & its still changing fine...

Answer 4

Not using your clutch wont make any difference to the way the bike handles, knowing when to use it will come with more practice/races.

I hardly use mine other than to start from the lights, but if you are going to go by what Easygoing has said, you will not make it as a pro racer. Seeing as how he is using his right hand to use his clutch. I always thought the front break was on the right hand, but hey being an Aussie we must do things different!

Answer 5

I won't hurt anything not using the clutch. I use the clutch when I start, stop and coming out of tight corners if my rpms have dropped to low. You won't need to worry about that on a bike like the TT-R since it has so much low end torque.

Answer 6

you may need to replace the clutch cable with an after market Teflon lined cable.you can also get pivot assist levers. changing gear with out the clutch is normal most riders do it, but on your dirt bike you may need to slip the clutch sometimes. check these guys out.
http://ballards.cc/Product/1094771426299-6287/category/99/1/Brake-Clutch-Levers