Gear changers

Gavin Baker · Nov 19, 2024

Hi all,
About to purchase a 2014 model, would like to know if you do or have had issues with gear changers done without the clutch? going through after first at the lights or stopped. I do it all the time on my Triumph Sprint had for 5 years with more than 100,000km on the clock and had no issues with this.
I'm sure i'll have plenty more questions to ask as I work way forward looking after my new to me.
Thanks Ozzie in NZ

McRide · Nov 19, 2024

Not doable in 1, 2 or 3 but 4 and 5 are fine, if revs are right. If you know, you know...

RossKean · Nov 19, 2024

I wouldn't attempt going from neutral to first without clutch under any circumstances. Or any other gears if you are accelerating hard. I am comfortable with clutchless shifts under modest acceleration from 3rd to 5th although I don't make a habit of it. I rarely downshift without clutch although you can if you are careful to synchronize speed.
Question is "WHY"? While it probably doesn't hurt anything if you get it right every time, it only takes a couple of misses to damage gear dogs or teeth. You might end out asking the question "Why is it jumping out of 2nd when I try to accelerate"?

SkooterG · Nov 20, 2024

I 'speedshift' all the time on my FJRs. Upshifting that is. 1st to 2nd I use the clutch 50% of the time. 2nd on up I am clutchless 90% of the time.

art miller · Nov 20, 2024

I am in Scooter's camp on this issue. I have 72,000 miles on my 2014ES and have been doing clutch free up shifting 2nd gear up from day one.

bonami00 · Nov 20, 2024

yo guys shift without clutch?????????????????????? why do you have it then?? i know i am old school, but if there is a clutch, i use it

xphacktor · Nov 20, 2024

Whats the point? Save the quickshifts for the track (and the bikes that have the hardware).

SkooterG · Nov 20, 2024

Why not do it? If done properly, which is quite easy, it makes shifts smooth as butter and is no harder on any of the clutch equipment.

SkooterG · Nov 20, 2024

bonami00 said:
yo guys shift without clutch?????????????????????? why do you have it then?? i know i am old school, but if there is a clutch, i use it

It's kind of hard to start out from a complete stop without a clutch. And though clutch-less downshifts are possible, the clutch in this case does make for a more pleasant experience.

Rogue · Nov 20, 2024

In my younger days I would shift without the clutch but usually when my hand was busy with a cigar or a beer.
With the Gen IV 6 speed it it rough enough with the clutch.

SkooterG · Nov 20, 2024

Rogue said:
In my younger days I would shift without the clutch but usually when my hand was busy with a cigar or a beer.
With the Gen IV 6 speed it it rough enough with the clutch.

For some reason I have found the clutch-less shifting to be more difficult to be smooth with the 6-spd vs. the 5-spd. The tractor transmission on my '14 BMW R1200GSA is butter smooth when speed shifting.

Rogue · Nov 20, 2024

SkooterG said:
For some reason I have found the clutch-less shifting to be more difficult to be smooth with the 6-spd vs. the 5-spd. The tractor transmission on my '14 BMW R1200GSA is butter smooth when speed shifting.

Yeah. I was never one of the ones screaming for a 6 speed, the FJR has a wide enough power band to not need it, and I hate the clunkiness of it compared to my 04. But besides the tranny I like the 2020 better than the 2004.

harper · Nov 20, 2024

My dear old dad told me that back in the early days of trucking (1920s, 1930s), before there were synchromesh transmissions, shifting using the clutch was considered bad form and unnecessary wear on the clutch. There weren't any synch rings to wear out and it just took some time to develop the skill.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Float_shifting

dcarver · Nov 20, 2024

Never buy an FJR from a non AE clutchless rider. Sure, they might get it right 80% of the time..

But the other 20% wreaks havoc.

JSNS.

tschutter · Nov 21, 2024

Looks like something new to learn to be as cool as Skooter.

Coachpilot · Nov 21, 2024

I have one of these Translogic Quickshifter Kits (and the auto-blip downshift on my R-1 track bike).
The Quickshift is as smooth as manually "getting it right" but works 100% of the time. Too bad they don't have the Auto-Blip Downshifter for the FJR.
https://translogicusa.com/quickshifters.php

xphacktor · Nov 21, 2024

Coachpilot said:
I have one of these Translogic Quickshifter Kits (and the auto-blip downshift on my R-1 track bike).
The Quickshift is as smooth as manually "getting it right" but works 100% of the time. Too bad they don't have the Auto-Blip Downshifter for the FJR.
https://translogicusa.com/quickshifters.php

+1

RossKean · Nov 21, 2024

Coachpilot said:
I have one of these Translogic Quickshifter Kits (and the auto-blip downshift on my R-1 track bike).
The Quickshift is as smooth as manually "getting it right" but works 100% of the time. Too bad they don't have the Auto-Blip Downshifter for the FJR.
https://translogicusa.com/quickshifters.php

I notice they list products for Gen II and Gen III 5 speed, but nothing for 6 speed. Is the "auto-blip" downshift a different product?
(Just curious, don't feel the need...)

Coachpilot · Nov 21, 2024

IDK, Call them and ask. Get it from the horses mouth...

SkooterG · Nov 21, 2024

Btw, I only dabbled in speed shifting until about 12 years ago when I took the Lee Parks Advanced Riding Clinic Level 2. There they go into the theory and explanation of clutchless shifting and teach you how to do it. It's been working for me since then.

Gear changers

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