I was reading another forum, the guy asked the question on clutching his dr-z and it got me thinking about my KLX? I didn't use the clutch on my kx 125(exept 1st gear) and didn't give it much thought with the KLX, I rode it like my 125. So the question is sould I be using the clutch or not?

 

With the constant mesh transmision on this bike and most others , the clutch really is not needed for shifting. But if your timing is not perfect when upshifting or downshifting it seems to me that it can cause alot more wear and tear on the tranny and the rear tire will actually lock up for a split second when down shifting at lower speeds putting more wear on it. My way of thinking is, if you can feel or hear that "clunk" when shifting then you timing is not perfect. I shift clutchless myself at times but not all the time. I guess its just a matter of when and when not to do it. Timing!!

 

I never shift clutchless, its just a habit. The only time is if I'm in an emergency and need to down shift, then forget that clutch.

 

Clutchless upshifts, if done properly, will snick into next gear super smooth on our KLX and causes no damages to the gears and obvioulsy no wear on the clutch.

Clutchless downshifts however should never be done.

 

thanks guy's that what I thought.

 

I had a CBR600f4i sportbike. After about 10,000 miles of mostly clutchless upshifting (never downshifting) including over 1000 miles on the racetrack, the shift forks were worn out. The bike started jumping out of gear under full load then slamming back into gear suddenly. After a near highside exiting a corner at 80mph on the racetrack, I decided to stop cluchless shifting... and spent the next 2 months learning how to split the cases and repair the transmission on that bike.

 

+1
there is a clutch on the bike for a reason, personally I use it

 

If I were to have another drag bike, I would shift it without the clutch. Of course the bike was equipped with an air shifter that when you hit the shift button would momentarily disrupt the ignition system so the transmission would "unload" so it would shift without stress.

However, since I don't need to save every precious .001 of a second, I find using the clutch a very adequate alternative.

Just my opnion.

 

Also, the clutch is so light, and the travel is relatively short (compared to a sportbike) that it's not a big deal ot grab the clutch really quick. On downshifts, I blip the throttle to match the revs while braking, but I still prefer to slip the clutch a little to avoid locking up the rear wheel.