Help - Novice needs top tips!!

By BoydKiwi, 23 February, 2005
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I am a novice (35 yrs old and carryihg a few extra pounds)and did my first event (Enduro) in Enstone Oxon last Sunday with my new bike (CR125) - absolutely loved it and definately hooked. I have some questions that I need help with -
- should I be using my clutch to change up or down the gears when riding (obviously I use the clutch when I am stationary)? It seemed as if riders were not using the clutch to change up at all! Will this hurt the gearbox.
I have loads of questions but this one has been bugging me the most.

thanks
Kiwi Boyd

Anonymous (not verified)

19 years 8 months ago

not useing the clutch will slowly wear out things. if you are a big time racer this is no prob cause you can just get new parts when the old ones wear out. but if you are a country boy with little money it is important to use the clutch and not wear things out

thanks for your help on this - Although I have only riden once I don't like people passing me while I am fiddling around using the clutch............I think I will have to compromise!!
thanks again.

C0_hunter

19 years 8 months ago

well If your racing you could use the clutch like around turns to get a "boost" but like on the rest of the track you dont really have time if its close !! so just do it how you feel com.

Davet916 (not verified)

19 years 7 months ago

No, you don't need the clutch to shift up. Back off on the gas, just like you do when you use the clutch, and lift the shifter up. When the engine hits the right rpm, it will shift easily. Practice a bit and you will feel like a pro. Down-shifting is another story and harder to get the hang of. You have to rev-up and shift. Lots more practice needed and I'm not sure it's worth the effort.
It may be jerky at first and that will put a little extra stress on the tranny, like dumping the clutch, but it will smooth out for you fairly quickly. Enjoy!

Dave

You're welcome Boyd.

Rereading this thread made me think of something I did when I was new to riding.
If you just went outside and drove up and down the street in front of your house and shifted up and down and up and down for a while, you won't have to worry about fiddling with the clutch in the heat of battle. You'll get to the point where it is automatic. You think, "shift up", and it happens, that fast. You no longer have to think about all the steps cause they're all grooved in. Oh, and practice doing this standing up too, you'll find yourself in that situation too, eventually.

Dave

Daves right you should practise using the clutch so you can use it when you need it. when i started riding i used the clutch too much and it slowed me down. when you start just dump the clutch and change up and down without it when your on straights. then when you hit the corners change down using it so if youre about to stall its there for you!

good luck mike