If you let go of the clutch too fast on a motorcycle, it can cause the engine to stall and cause the bike to jerk forward. And combustion doesnt just happen during ignition. Next, examine the carb gaskets. Problem solved. But when put ON the choke and riding motorcycle . The best way to use this is to speed up the engine while youre on the brakes so that the gears match the engines revs; if youre on the brakes, you should be able to do so. Maybe there are bikes that can overpower their brakes at idle, but Im dubious. If youre riding a motorcycle, you should avoid burning up the clutch. Spray it down with carb cleaner and give it a thorough cleaning to relieve any clogs or debris build-up that will affect fuel flow. If you release the clutch and roll on the throttle and nothing happens, you're in neutral, squeeze the clutch and lift again. The front brake control is the handle directly above the throttle on the right handlebar of your motorcycle. Sit with your rear brake engaged and your other foot on the floor, no front brake at all. [3] 5. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Does Holding The Clutch Down Damage It Motorcycle There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the motorcycle and the rider's habits. My current road bike is a 06 Honda ST1300 that I have ridden this way for 124,000km of its 145,000km and the clutch operation is excellent. Finishing in neutral with left foot down and right foot covering the rear brake. Check out how Bret Tkacs explains it much better than me in this video: Riding through mud on an adventure bike can be very tricky. The BMW R 1200 GS uses a dry clutch, and so does some Ducatis and Moto Guzzis (oh, and MotoGP bikes!). You should never hold the clutch unless you are changing the gears. If you are driving a manual car, it is best to engage second or third gear when heading downhill. While youre still holding the clutch, shift into the next gear. In a wet clutch system on a motorcycle, the clutch pack is submersed in an oil bath filled with engine oil. Riding the clutch is useful to keep the bike from stalling at walking speeds or to control power delivery in slippery conditions like mud. Press down on the gear shift to put the motorcycle into first gear. Squeeze the clutch lever in, then slowly ease it out. Here are some tips on how to use the clutch while riding a dirt bike: -Only use the clutch when slowing down at stops or turning corners; do not pull the clutch before starting again after stopping, unless it is uphill and in high gear. So at bare minimum, my bike wouldve been destroyed. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Contact Us. So, it is always advised to depress the clutch when braking, at least to begin driving with. 2. There are some cases where in gear and clutch in are suitable and some cases where in neutral and clutch out are more apt. The clutch should never be pressed while turning corners. Step Two: Check that your gear shifter is in neutral, but if not, press it into place. Anyone who has ever owned an older British, Spanish, or Italian bike will know that you NEVER stop at an intersection with the clutch lever pulled in. Riding through deep sand on a heavy adventure bike requires you to maintain momentum and keep the front wheel light. Arent that just for hooligans showing off? Read about the correct way to stop your motorcycle in this post. Another possibility is that a driver rides the clutch, causing additional stress and wear to the clutch. All my pupils including prospective Police riders were taught to stop comfortably then smoothly preform the shuffle., as required by the examination body. Dont ride your brakes going downhill. The best course of action is to put yourself in a safe place rather than be prepared to escape a dangerous location. A division of A07 Online Media, LLC. Understanding how to safely and properly use the clutch is essential for any motorcyclist. The same applies when riders approach a red traffic light. I am a commuter rider and stop at many lights. You should also have eyes on whats in front and at your sides. Will this damage my bike at all? If you waiting at the lights holding the clutch in, and the cable chooses that final stress to let go, you are rocketed in to the intersection when you really dont want to be there. When brake fluid boils, brake pedal fade will occur, or complete brake failure can happen while driving downhill. The problem with free-wheeling around a corner is that you dont have proper control of the bike. Will this damage my bike at all? Stalling a motorcycle can be a safety risk, especially in traffic. For more info, check out my about page: https://www.adventurebiketroop.com/about-us/. When you remove the motorcycle engine from the transmission, you begin the process of "engagering the clutch.". Once the motorcycle is up to speed, its a lot easier to balance, but its always going to be more difficult to balance than a bicycle. Prolonged use of the clutch can cause friction damage to the clutch plates, resulting in reduced performance and increased wear. Start the bike and put it in neutral. Once the clutch has pushed the pressure plate by the friction disk and clutch plates, the pressure plate will push until it has offset against the friction disk. Roll the throttle towards the back of the motorcycle ("roll on") to go faster. If youre having trouble tightening it to the point of no slack, your cable might be old, worn, and stretched out, and you may need a fresh throttle cable replacement. In this article, we will explore the effects of riding the clutch, how to avoid it, and the potential risks associated with it. The oil helps to cool the clutch plates. If your engine timing is off, your spark plug fires out of sync, and much like the slacked throttle cable mentioned above, when you hit the throttle, your bike could actually lose power. Living in Brisbane my entire life Ive become to familiar with the lights & generally know when they are ready to change (a bit weird in the head I reckon) But it is always good to be ready for a quick take off if you hear the squealing of tyres behind. Lets have a look at some popular skills that require you to use the friction zone of you motorcycles clutch.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventurebiketroop_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventurebiketroop_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); You might me asking, why would you ever need to wheelie. To shift gears on a motorcycle with a manual transmission, start the motorcycle with the clutch engaged. Never only the front brake as large heavy bikes with twin discs can stop sharply with their suspension bottomed and the rebound can cause the rider to loose balance and fall over. Here are some of the signs your clutch is going: Squeaking or unusual grumbling noise when pressure is applied. If necessary, a clutch should only be used during the slowing process. Holding Clutch While Riding Bike There is no need to hold the clutch while riding a bike. When it comes to keeping a motorcycles clutch in good working order, it is critical to take care of it. With the motor running, ease onto the front brake to steady the bike. Riding the clutch on a motorcycle is an often overlooked, yet potentially dangerous, habit. Then, roll the throttle toward you to close it completely and press down on the gear shift with your foot. The breaking clutch cable is a potential catastrophe no matter when it happens. Why Its Bad: Your clutch will suffer from unnecessary wear and tear. We would love to hear your thoughts! So right leg down. This is different from riding the clutch of your motorcycle in the friction zone, halfway between fully in and fully out. Riding the clutch is useful to keep the bike from stalling at walking speeds or to control power delivery in slippery conditions like mud. If you must slow down, you should use the front and rear brakes almost simultaneously, with the proper amount of pressure. One way to do it is to pull the clutch while releasing the throttle. Ive found myself lightly pulling in the clutch and releasing it slowly while going over very steep speed bumps while sitting behind walking pace traffic. Read this post to find out.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'adventurebiketroop_com-leader-2','ezslot_12',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventurebiketroop_com-leader-2-0'); One thing that beginner riders often ask is how to properly stop their motorcycle smoothly. Most people have heard that you need to give a lot of throttle to keep the front light. But I certainly accept the argument about rear-ending too, especially at highway road works stops.. Its also a safety issue as it reduces your chances of being rear ended im suprised that you left this out of the article. If you stall a motorcycle it will not cause damage, except if you drop the bike. I agree with th previous comments i brake t slow th flooring vehicles well before i stop, and look for a n exit . Either way, there is still an element of additional wear by holding in the lever for long periods. Leaving the bike in gear in this crucial stage means you are, Custom Eye Candy: An Electric Zero SR-X Concept, 10 Electric Skateboard Brands That Are Killing It, Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, MotoGP: Featuring the Best Weekend Ever for KTM, Black Pup Moto Rumbler Leather Jacket Hands-On Review, Road Race Featuring A Suzuki GSXR 600 & Aprilia RSV4, Bike Of The Day: 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini, Harley-Davidson Releases First Quarter Results, Armor, Airbag, Base Layer, & Underwear Reviews, SMIDSY Theory: Bikes Appear Out Of Nowhere. Riding the clutch can cause significant amount of damage to the clutch plates. This may seem like a challenge to master, but shifting gears is really a simple process. Vulcan Nomad 102,000km and same clutch actually same every thing, gotta love the Jap bikes. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. During slow riding it helps to have a low center of gravity so packing your luggage in a saddlebag is a good idea. If you over cook it, trim power by pulling the clutch in slightly. If you are driving an automatic car, you should shift into gear 3, 2, or L, whichever your cars gearbox has. Keeping up with the general carb service is an effective way to keep your motorcycle from stalling. Originally Answered: What will happen when the brake is applied without pressing the clutch pedal? Without clutch: holding throttle open when shifting (for racing only) ", "I never rode a motorcycle before, only the scooter and it's automatic, shifting gears is so confusing. I have to disagree as an ex riding instructor. Then, slowly apply throttle while releasing the clutch gently until the motorcycle starts to roll slowly. Downshifts can also be performed clutchless. Just dont let the cops see you. Oh, and dont think the brakes will stop you, theyre even more crap than the metal in the engine. It will make a louder noise than a wet clutch and be more difficult to engage as smoothly. What gear should you be in going downhill? Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more.