clutch and gear shifting

[juststartin]

Apologies for the stupid question but Im literally just starting out.  I know gear shifting isn't something you are constantly doing on a trials bike .. but ..do you need to use a clutch to shift gears up and down or not (like a dirt bike). Thanks in advance

[trapezeartist]

I use the clutch for every gear change on my 250 Evo with flywheel weight. Unlike just about everything else I’ve ever driven or ridden, up-changes are more clunky than down-changes.

The heavy flywheel means that the bike slows down faster than the engine on up-changes, so the speeds never synchronise. I find it best to try to change up when going downhill and never when going up.

In contrast, a little blip of throttle while changing down makes them silky smooth (well, fairly smooth).

Now someone will come along and tell me I’m doing it all wrong.?

Edited February 6, 2021 by trapezeartist

[feetupfun]

Same concept as a dirt bike but takes more skill to do it smoothly compared to a dirt bike due to heavier flywheels and bigger gaps between the upper gears

[suzuki250]

Use the clutch, its not a race so you don't need the power on all the time. 

Edited February 13, 2021 by suzuki250

[Neil Livewire]

23 hours ago, suzuki250 said:

Use the clutch, its not a race so you don't the power on all the time. 

It's nice to see "its not a race" ?, just need to stop the commentators calling it a race.

Oh, use the clutch for mechanical sympathy unless you like breaking your bike.

On the road going up the box clutch less isn't really a problem and down shifting works if you time it right.

Correct gear choice is part of the game although there'll always be the odd cock-up ?