Do you use the clutch when changing gear?

[~Stef~]

I've never heard such utter non sense. It's not surprising people have problems with the GS if they can't be bothered to treat it with the mechanical respect it deserves. Unless you are entirely sure you can match wheel speed with engine speed then the clutch is essential.

Synchro mesh obviates the need for double declutching. It most certainly does not give you a license to not use the clutch at all

Bollox, ive been riding for 20 years and nearly always change up clutchless and never had any gearbox problems on any of my bikes including a XJ900 that I had for 10 years.

 

[~Stef~]

The GS does NOT have sychromesh

WHAT ! even the 1200 ?

 

[Schtum]

WHAT ! even the 1200 ?

Even the 1200.... Apart from the odd car engined hybird, I can't think of any motorcycle which has a syncromesh equipped gearbox.

 

[Iain Hogg]

Rode from the roundabout exiting Exeter services to the centre of Plymouth on my 1100 on the way to Princetown one year - the clutch cable snapped as I pulled away from the lights

Smooth changing up and down is possible when you have no alternative!

Couldn't remember where Ocean BMW was so went looking for it, only had to kill the engine when a bus stopped to turn right directly in front of me!

A kind local then helped by giving me a lift to Ocean and back with a new cable.

Iain

 

[gfspencer]

I always use the clutch with my GS. I upshift without the clutch on my Ducati. Somehow I got the idea that you were better off to 'clutch" with a shaft drive. I guess I made it up?

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

double-declutching ??

thats for old buses and trucks with no synchro.

nowadays - apply pressure to the gear lever - up or down -
blip the clutch lever keeping constant throttle and gear lever pressure
hey presto - gear is changed

 

[lywood]

I use the clutch , but only pull the lever in about 1 cm. I find this the smoothest way of changing gear. I don't know if it is the best way to change , it is just a habit I have picked up over the years.

 

[MikeP]

I've never heard such utter non sense. It's not surprising people have problems with the GS if they can't be bothered to treat it with the mechanical respect it deserves. Unless you are entirely sure you can match wheel speed with engine speed then the clutch is essential.

Synchro mesh obviates the need for double declutching. It most certainly does not give you a license to not use the clutch at all

Read the 1150 Rider Manual. It actually states up-changes do not need the clutch!

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

've never heard such utter non sense. It's not surprising people have problems with the GS if they can't be bothered to treat it with the mechanical respect it deserves. Unless you are entirely sure you can match wheel speed with engine speed then the clutch is essential.

Pipe n slippers alert !!!!

 

[swebb]

I use the clutch , but only pull the lever in about 1 cm. I find this the smoothest way of changing gear. I don't know if it is the best way to change , it is just a habit I have picked up over the years.

Snap... definately the smoothest way i've found too.

 

[Ste@SSB]

I think it depends on the bike ... I only use the clutch at a standstill on my KDX ... have to use it between 1st and 2nd on my GSXR going up and all the way down ...
I don't think it makes for a smoother change on a 12GS or an ADV as they have quite a quick clutch action... but it does on some of the other BM's ... particularly the K12LT and the K12RS/GT ...

 

[Flying banana]

Read the 1150 Rider Manual. It actually states up-changes do not need the clutch!

Mike, where does it says that? I'm not taking the pee, I am intersested to know.

 

[MikeP]

Mike, where does it says that? I'm not taking the pee, I am intersested to know.

Page 77 of the 6th Edition. (Check your version, I know there are differences with earlier editions).

Paraphrasing it says use the clutch to engage first and then just pull the gear lever up. For downshifts it says to 'pull the clutch in, select next lowest gear, smoothly re-engage the clutch'.

Only mentions the clutch for 1st gear from standstill and for downshifts.

 

[pogo]

Hello all,

Here in the owners manual they say change gear only after using clutch!it's clear,always use the cluch,that makes sens...

A+ Pogo

 

[ELIMINATOR]

I find that changing up, I don't need the clutch. But, unlike Jap bikes, blipping the throtle on downchanges on the 1150 is a waste of time, so I just change down with the clutch.

 

[(RIP) Jamie]

Since moving to the R1200GS I normally don't bother with the clutch when making changes.

Surely you'd only be in first riding it up the ramp onto the train?

 

[MikeP]

Hello all,

Here in the owners manual they say change gear only after using clutch!it's clear,always use the cluch,that makes sens...

A+ Pogo

Yeah but that's a 1200. They saved half of the quoted 30 kilos by making the gears from cheese that's why it says use the clutch.

 

[cookie]

manual for my 2000 1150 says use the clutch. i'd scan it, but the required pc's busy.
i'm not really a big fan of "by the manual" thinking, but i go along with that bit.

i'd only ever clutchless change on a dirt bike, because you have to mostly. you don't have a lot of time to dick around with the clutch. coincidently, it's only on my dirt bikes that the gearboxes have eventually worn/jumped out of gear etc.

maybe there's a connection

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

it's only on my dirt bikes that the gearboxes have eventually worn/jumped out of gear etc.

maybe there's a connection

Me too, but, I suspect that's more due to the general abuse a bike like that will receieve e.g. the back wheel loading/unloading as it grips/slip and jumps/lands, sudden loads such as wacking open the throttle to lift the front over a rock etc etc

Andres

 

[Cogs]

Clutchless 90% of the time, use it for pulling off and stopping mainly. I reckon empathic riding style obiates constant use. Plus the fact I find the 1100 clutch really heavy and a pain in the wrist.