to clutch or not to clutch ?

[lunch truck larry]

I have always shifted into neutral when coming to a stop light, or waiting for traffic to clear,or whenever I was stopped with the engine running,,, My thought process was,if the transmission was in neutral ,it would cause less heat in the clutch, therefore it would last longer. I'm 5'7" with a 28" inseam ,,, so I can barely put both feet on the ground at a stop,,Here's my problem ,,, I bought a Russel seat over the winter, and this raised my seat height ,about an inch , and now I have to lean from side to side to support the weight of the bike at a stop .Some times it's pretty tricky to balance if the road has any camber in it .So I guess I'm asking if it's alright to hold in the clutch at stop's or should I look into platform riding boots??? Larry

 

[RossKean]

I rarely shift to neutral at a stop. I can't see that this would significantly reduce clutch life. Leaving it in gear ensures you will be better prepared in case you have to launch in a hurry if **** happens. The only exception for me is if/when I have to hold in one place for an extended period of time - i.e. waiting at border crossing or for construction on the highway. Then, I am just as likely to shut off the engine; especially on a hot day.

 

[ionbeam]

When you are at a stop with the clutch pulled in there is zero clutch wear and no heat build up. The FJR has no heat issue in the engine, transmission and clutch regardless of what configuration the clutch/transmission is set to.

But, you don't want to be in neutral when stopped, it takes away any chance you have to avoid traffic problems that might occur. Additionally, when stopped in or near traffic you need to keep up good situational awareness to see problems before they are on top of you and your motorcycle. Literally. Since you are in gear and have left an avenue of escape you can move out of harms way.

 

[CA G-Man]

When you are at a stop with the clutch pulled in there is zero clutch wear and no heat build up. The FJR has no heat issue in the engine, transmission and clutch regardless of what configuration the clutch/transmission is set to.
But, you don't want to be in neutral when stopped, it takes away any chance you have to avoid traffic problems that might occur. Additionally, when stopped in or near traffic you need to keep up good situational awareness to see problems before they are on top of you and your motorcycle. Literally. Since you are in gear and have left an avenue of escape you can move out of harms way.

+1

 

[kolonial72]

In addition to ion's words, I'd say that when stopping behind traffic at a light, make sure you align your cycle with a clean get-away zone if at all possible. That way if an incident occurs behind you the amount of maneuvering required is greatly reduced. Just rev and release.

I keep mine in 1st with the clutch lever pulled in until a couple of cars have come to a full and complete stop behind me. Then I will (sometimes) put it in neutral.

 

[mcatrophy]

No wear issues at all. Clutch on my YCC-S model is identical. I never change into neutral at stops. If I think I'm going to be stopped for a long time I will turn off the engine (having assured myself It's impossible to be rear-ended). But still leave it in gear.

The FJR clutch seems almost indestructible (only one person has worn his out with excessive low speed slipping in all the time this forum has been running).

Keep it in gear, keep it safe. Until your hand can't hold the lever in for long enough, then swap to an AE (AS my side of the pond).

 

[maddad]

Clutch? Does the FJR have a clutch? I've heard of clutches wearing and having to be replaced on other motorcycles but I've never heard of a clutch being replaced on an FJR. I figured we didn't have one and that lever on the left was an indicator for others to know you were changing gears.

Agree with above, not safe to be changing to neutral and you should have no concern whatsoever about wear on that clutch.

 

[Bounce]

Rider training classes teach to hold the clutch in at a stop for quicker reactions times in the event someone tries to squish you.

 

[AKjitsu]

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve long followed the practice of stopping in traffic where I leave myself a fast out: either up between lanes or off the road if need be. In first, clutch in, scanning the mirrors. This practice has kept me alive on two different occasions where I otherwise would have been splattered.

Some of you may have read of the incident in Phoenix a couple of years ago where a dump truck driver on meth mowed down ten Harley riders who were sitting at a stoplight chatting and listening to tunes. Seven of them died. Four of them burned to death trapped under the truck. I rode through there the following day. The charred remains of human bodies were still burned into the pavement. “Ugly” doesn’t begin to describe it.

YOU are the only one who is going to save you. Stay sharp.

 

[Old Guy]

I agree with everyone. That's a first

Holding the clutch in at a stop will absolutely not hurt the clutch, and it's not safe in the event you have to get out of there in a hurry.

 

[rbentnail]

Looks like we've sufficiently answered the question of clutch operation and when. For the record I always remain in 1st gear at lights too. To address the distance-to-ground problem, check these out https://www.soupysperformance.com/homepage.html