Changing Gear - Preloading Shifter - Any Issues ?

[pistole]

.

- hi fellas

- 2012 C14 : being my first shaft driven bike , have found it difficult to change gears smoothly.

- used to change gears the "traditional" way , ie , clutch in , then foot accesses the shifter , change gear , then clutch out.

- gear change the "traditional" way was very jerky , abrupt and slow.

- lately , have learnt to preload the shifter during upshifts. Ie , top of boot  gently presses up on the shifter , clutch in , gear lever pops up into next gear , clutch out.

- preload result : very smooth upshifts , very quick and seamless acceleration.

- question : any issues with gearbox reliability or damage when using preload ?

thanks

.

[Spanky]

I do the same with no clutch on upshifts after 2nd gear. Over 40k and still shifts like silk.

[martin_14]

I also do the preload thing and only press the clutch lever slightly, maybe a centimeter and a half (half an inch for those in the colonies) at the tip of the lever. Works like a charm and bike shifts very smoothly. Both gearbox and clutch seem/feel like they can handle a lot of abuse, so one or the other shifting style shouldn't pose any problem.

[Jeremy Mitchell]

Preloading is the only way I have been able to change gear smoothly, also.  52,000 miles and mine shifts better than when I got it.  The quicker the shift the smoother it is.

[pistole]

Smoother gear Changing, gear shifting on your motorbike.

[Conrad]

Preloading is the only way I have been able to change gear smoothly, also.  52,000 miles and mine shifts better than when I got it.  The quicker the shift the smoother it is.

+1

[stevewfl]

many bikes come with an "air shifter" assist and clutchless shifting is even easier 

[katata1100]

I found a big improvement when i replaced the stock cheap bushing with an actual bearing from Murphs. It took little time (under 30 minutes?) to install, was cheap, highly recommend it.

[Son of Pappy]

At issue isn't the gear box, rather it has to do with the speed the clutch is being released.  Think of it this way, what happens if ya just dump the clutch on takeoff?  Why do we change how we use the clutch after we start rolling?  FWIW, I rarely use the clutch once moving, includes up and down shifts.  A gentle/slight roll off of the throttle after a preload of the shift lever makes the shift smooth.  The roll off creates a gap in the gears which relieves the pressure of gear on gear.  Is there a need to do clutchless shifts for everday riding?  Not really, but once mastered it sure smoothes things out.  Another FWIW, there is a need when trail riding, but thats a whole 'nuther game