How do you downshift? I slip it a little....

[scotts90ranger]

I'm with Eric, I don't over think it too much... I've gotten 80k on my '97 that was in unknown condition when I got it at 140k miles, it's at 226k now... I've given zero hecks about it, even used it to pull a silverado on a tilt trailer that glazed it something serious and was really squishy for like 3 weeks until I wore through it and it's been normal again for the last 4 months... I have a lightly worn Centerforce ready to go in when I get there but it just keeps going...

The second? clutch I put in my '90 lasted 15k but that was me learning to go offroading with a 4 cylinder with 4.10's and 31" tires, the next lasted like 75k then I put a decade on the Centerforce and put 0.007" of wear on the friction disc...

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

Okay you guys got me on this rev-matching.
Is that what they used to call power shifting back in the day when I was learning to drive in the late 80s. like 87, 88, 89.

As for me I only use the clutch to shift gears when I'm first learning a vehicle and it's tendencies..
After about a week or so of driving a vehicle regularly, the only time and I mean only time I use the clutch is when I'm taking off. Be it first gear going forward or reverse going backwards.

Sometimes depending on the situation I may not even use the clutch at all.
You ever drive a vehicle with a bad slave cylinder?
Coming to a stop put the vehicle in neutral. Get completely stopped shut the vehicle off.
Put the vehicle in gear start the vehicle jumping and jiggling and hit the gas.

 

[sgtsandman]

Okay you guys got me on this rev-matching.
Is that what they used to call power shifting back in the day when I was learning to drive in the late 80s. like 87, 88, 89.

As for me I only use the clutch to shift gears when I'm first learning a vehicle and it's tendencies..
After about a week or so of driving a vehicle regularly, the only time and I mean only time I use the clutch is when I'm taking off. Be it first gear going forward or reverse going backwards.

Sometimes depending on the situation I may not even use the clutch at all.
You ever drive a vehicle with a bad slave cylinder?
Coming to a stop put the vehicle in neutral. Get completely stopped shut the vehicle off.
Put the vehicle in gear start the vehicle jumping and jiggling and hit the gas.

Power shifting/speed shifting isn't what I think they are driving at. But rev matching is important for that as well.

I don't think these transmissions shift smooth enough for that. Not to say it can't be done. I've done it as an experiment but I really didn't see an advantage to it other than for the case you state. Even with some practice, hiting it just right didn't seem to be a consistant thing and I was more worried about wearing out the snycros or gears. So I stopped.

I never liked the "if you can't find it, grind it" way of thinking and always took pride in how long I could get a clutch to last with smooth shifting with proper clutch engagement/disengagement timing.

I still have the original clutch from 2011 with (I think) coming up on 120,000 miles on it.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

"if you can't find it, grind it"

I too don't believe in the ^^^^^^^ way of thinking.

I have to be honest I did 20 years in prison and have not driven a stick shift yet since I've been out.

So things are most likely different.
However with that said before I went to prison I drove to stick shift every day for about 8 years and did not have to ever change the clutch.
The only time I've ever changed a clutch in any vehicle was because someone else messed it up.

I would not let anyone even drive one of my vehicles that had a clutch unless they proved to me they knew how to drive it to start with.

I've taught people how to drive sticks.
One of my first lessons in teaching someone is showing them they only need to use the clutch at certain times.

Well I'm sure others are thinking, " That's enough from him. ".
So I'll shut up for now.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

When I take a turn from a higher speed road onto a side street, I usually hold the clutch in as I approach then shift to 2nd and make the turn slipping the clutch till I straighten out. By then I'm ready for third. I'm sure that's not the right way to do things.

IDK if its wrong, maybe a little lazy lol...but I do that too!

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Power shifting/speed shifting isn't what I think they are driving at. But rev matching is important for that as well.

I don't think these transmissions shift smooth enough for that. Not to say it can't be done. I've done it as an experiment but I really didn't see an advantage to it other than for the case you state. Even with some practice, hiting it just right didn't seem to be a consistant thing and I was more worried about wearing out the snycros or gears. So I stopped.

I never liked the "if you can't find it, grind it" way of thinking and always took pride in how long I could get a clutch to last with smooth shifting with proper clutch engagement/disengagement timing.

I still have the original clutch from 2011 with (I think) coming up on 120,000 miles on it.

Yep my M5OD dont shift very smooth....and has a long throw...also feels like my synchros might be worn...and there is a lot of stick wiggle even when in gear. Might just yank all 100lbs of it and drop off at my buddys tranny shop for a freshen up.

Sometimes I grind to find, but never intentionally.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

My shifting habits are remarkably similar between truck and motorcycle.

I guess it depends on the bike. My single cyl dual sport (DRZ400) I clutch/shift very similar to ranger...But my 2 stroke motorcross bike and inline 4 cyl sport bike is different, "abuse" more and do a lot more clutchless shifting. On the 2 stroke I pretty much use the clutch for slipping for traction or powerband.

 

[Curious Hound]

I guess it depends on the bike. My single cyl dual sport (DRZ400) I clutch/shift very similar to ranger...But my 2 stroke motorcross bike and inline 4 cyl sport bike is different, "abuse" more and do a lot more clutchless shifting. On the 2 stroke I pretty much use the clutch for slipping for traction or powerband.

I ride a KLR and I’m a relatively new rider (2.5 years). So my riding habits are not very sophisticated.

 

[sgtsandman]

Sometimes I grind to find, but never intentionally.

I think we all do at some point. Blame it on fatigue, laziness, or a combination of both, sooner or later even the most experienced manual transmission driver is going to mis-shift and grind them.

 

[pjtoledo]

fyi guys, clutch straps function better at pulling, not pushing.
during significant downshifts it's best to get the revs up.
that's also because it's much easier on the syncros which are harder to change than a clutch.

regarding clutchless shifting, my 1972 Comet's owners manual actually stated it could be done at low speeds with no throttle.
less than 25 or so.

tried it, it worked, then continued to use the clutch on that car and on everything else since then.

on the other end of the issue, the NP435 in a 1977 F150 needed double pumping in really cold weather.
especially in first, always in the non-synced reverse. remember those?

 

[ElectraRider]

used a clutch to start rolling tied to a roadranger ten speed for 20 yrs slowed down with a 3 speed jake brake, retired from that.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

used a clutch to start rolling tied to a roadranger ten speed for 20 yrs slowed down with a 3 speed jake brake, retired from that.

Ever Jake brake through an HOA suburb full of Tesla and Prius? That would be awesome.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I ride a KLR and I’m a relatively new rider (2.5 years). So my riding habits are not very sophisticated.

That's a great bike for beginners and veterans, partly because it is simple to ride...as well as fun, reliable, relatively comfortable and capable...easy to repair, modify and find parts....kind of like Rangers. Ride on.