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1200 Up & Down Shifting, Non-clutch

Discussion in 'Multistrada' started by NickT, Mar 13, 2020.

  1. Having recently acquired my 2014 (24k miles) beauty, I had a thrash recently with some mates.

    They all had quick shifters on their bikes - Triumph & BMW -

    The question arose about not using your clutch for up shifting on the Multi.

    Now, I'm an old school boy and always use my clutch both up & down shifting. More out of mechanical sympathy I think. I also have a ZZR 1400 and same again.

    What are the wise thoughts on this for the Multi?
     
  2. I almost always avoid using the clutch on up shifts as long as going above about 30mph and going into 3rd or higher. Not so much on downshifts , probably about 25% of the time. I have done this for years on all my bikes including a multi and as far as I am aware there has been no harm done. If anything it makes the changes smoother than with a clutch in my experience.
     
  3. Did have one and it was fun. Problem i found was the change is crisper with more revs so you end up riding faster than I wanted to get a nice change. Probably worse on bigger bikes whiff of throttle and speed limit broken.
     
  4. Clutchless up shifting can be smooth if you know how to unload the transmission . If you're just holding acceleration and hammering the shift lever then something will break. Clutchless down shifting is much more difficult to unload the trans properly and will cause premature wear. Hard to understand why anyone would quickshift a bike without a proper QS system. Unless you need to avoid loosing fractions of a second per lap
     
  5. Sorry but i disagree. The mechanics of changing gears is EXACTLY the same whether you use a clutch, quickshifter or 'clutchless' shifting. The crankshaft is connected to the gearshaft through the clutch. The gearshaft is connected to the output shaft (and frt sprocket) through the gears. They are locked in position by driving forces through the gearshaft or output shaft . To change gears the gears need to 'unlock' by having this driving force removed. This is achieved by either a) pulling in clutch to disengage the crankshaft from the gearshaft b)the quickshifter sends a signal cutting ignition (and therefore the driving force) through the gearshaft or c)you momentarily cut the throttle yourself for the same effect as a quickshifter.

    All this ends up with the gearshift forks pushing the gearshaft into a new position engaging different gears that are then again locked into position by the newly returned driving force. The moving parts all act the same way. Its the same pedal action as well.

    You can test this yourself - while driving forward (ie throttle application on) push up with your gearlever and keep on pushing up. Nothing will happen. Momentarily close throttle and open again - you will 'quickshift' up then.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  6. I might add the caveat that they only truly lock together if the gears are undercut, otherwise there is the potential for bikes to jump out of gear after gear selection and on the power as per an ex ZX12R I had.

    My current Kawasaki gearbox is quite slick and wil take clutchless upshifts from 2nd, I always use clutch for downshift on all bikes.

    My 2014 multi box is not so slick. I've stopped doing upshifts clutchless as for me it only works from 4th and I kept forgetting it isn't like my kwacker box.

    TB
     
  7. Neither on my BMW GS or my new 950S have I been happy using the QS fitted. I mean, how much time do you add to the shift by a quick flick of clutch up or down??
    May be relevant on the race track but on the road, doesn't seem all that important. I am also "old school" and don't feel "right" doing it..
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. I’m old school as well. Mechanical sympathy is a good thing, so just continue as you are.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  9. I’m new school........the more rider aids the better. And the quickshifter/auto blipper saves my left wrist :)
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. But the whole point here is that its mechanically the same.
     
  11. Up shifts yes. Can be a tad violent 1st to 2nd but down shifts never. Cannot see how you can synchronise the cogs for a painless mesh.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  12. Due to an injury to my left hand I fitted a quickshifter to my Supersport 939 (it is standard on the S model) which will allow clutchless up and down shifting. I've seldom used the clutch for upshifting for a number of years on any of my bikes but once I thought about how the quickshift works for downshifts I stopped using the clutch for downshifting on my Scrambler and 907ie too. It is all about synchronising the throttle and gear change which you quickly get used to. 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 1st are the only times when it is better to use the clutch.
    For changing up just temporarily close the throttle as pull the gear lever up. For down changes just apply a tiny amount of throttle as you tap the lever down. It comes naturally very quickly. I did it years ago on bikes when the clutch cable broke as a get home measure but thought no more about it.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  13. Not sure what you disagree about. I specifically mentioned "unloading" the trans. I just said it in one sentence instead of 3 paragraphs
     
    • Funny Funny x 1
  14. I've always upshifted after 2nd by slight close of throttle to unload, since 1976, but always use the clutch and a blip on downshifts. Never had a gearbox problem on any bike. ( been numerous both 2 stroke and 4)
     
  15. I do clutchless upshifts by preloading the gear lever then rolling off the throttle & clutchless down with a quick throttle blip, very satisfying once mastered.
    Tried a quickshifter but didn't get on with it as kept getting false neutrals due to years of preloading the gear lever...
     
    • Like Like x 1
  16. I'm with you.
     
  17. I tend to find if I'm touring or have SWMBO on the back I use the clutch for both up and down shifting, on the occasions when I like to have a play clutchless upshifts and downshifts above 2nd gear are great fun on a winding road.
     
  18. Do any versions of the Multistrada come fitted with a quick shifter as standard?
     
    • Like Like x 1
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