Sometimes I'll peruse the advanced group photos on Joe's page to get an idea of what I need to do better... I noticed every once in a while I'll see a picture of some of the really fast guys at max lean angle with a finger or two on the clutch lever. I'm assuming this is to smooth out the upshift while the bike is leaned over, but you know what they say about assumptions.
In most cases you can upshift w/o the clutch, quick shifters also make this possible.. I think the reason you're seeing a finger or two over the clutch is because they were using it to aid in "slipping" the clutch for easier, smoother corner entry. That's how I use it anyway... Once leaned over if I have to upshift I do so w/o engaging the clutch.
Troy bayliss keeps his fingers there to be able to quickly pull the clutch in if the rear starts spinning up too much and prevent a high-side. It's better than rolling off the throttle
Tried clutchless up shift but always got bad results like things breaking and exploding so I have left it alone for now.
It's really pretty easy. Simply preload the shifter pedal a bit and when you are ready to shift, roll out of the throttle and back into it as you are shifting. This all takes place in about 100 milli-seconds!
Thanks I will give it another try. When I was practicing on my old r6 the clutch basket exploded shooting a 1inch piece of metal through the clutch cover. Then shooting oil everywhere and in the end ruining the motor. This was the only reason I was hesitant at trying it again. Great advice Vern as always will give it another whirl. Is it only during hard acceleration that it works?
First GEN R6's had some weak transmissions. Try again on a different bike. Once you get the timing down it will become second nature.
U know what thanks for that because it was a first gen r6 and i didnt know about the weak trans until recently and that makes perfect sense now that u say that. :thumb:
That's Mat Mladin, I saw an interview he did with OTT a few years ago and he does it to act as traction control, he can slip the clutch when grip is getting low coming out of the corner, dirtbike background or something. The clutch can be used for all sorts of stuff entry, exit, and midcorner
Good info. I'm a blipper, so the idea of "trail clutching" never occured to me. It does makes sense that pulling in the clutch would be better than chopping the throttle in "oh shit" situations since going from throttle to coasting wouldn't upset the bike as much as going from throttle to engine braking. Right now I always shift without the clutch, even on the street... but I've toyed with the idea of slipping/using the clutch on upshifts in situations where the bike is leaned way over and a smooth shift is more preferable than a quick one. I figured I'd check if this was a valid technique before I bothered messing with it though.