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Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor "Crazy Ted" has these tips: While sitting in the classroom we have the students extend their right index finger and thumb in a "V" shape. (like a backwards L actually) We then have them hold their "V" like it is the left side of the handle bar. The thumb is the bar and the index finger is the clutch lever. We have them practice "easing" out the clutch and "squeezing" the clutch. We use the key words easing and squeezing a lot and really push these words. We also
introduce them to what we call the friction zone. You know, where the
clutch just starts letting power to the wheels. When we go out onto
the riding range, we do several exercises to get them familiar with the bikes
and then go into the clutch exercises. We have them start with their
feet holding up the bike with it running first gear. We have them
rock back onto their heels. Then they "ease" out the clutch
into the friction zone. When they just get into the friction zone the
bike rolls forward just enough to put them up onto their toes. We
then have them "squeeze" the clutch in to take the power away from the
wheels. They repeat this at least ten times. That way they
become very, very familiar with the friction zone. Then we have them
move on to using the friction zone to straddle walk the bike across the range. They
never let the clutch all the way out, they use the friction zone the whole time,
slipping the clutch. They do that at least twice and then we let them
speed up some so they get their feet up. Usually by the time they
finish the second straddle walk across the range, they've learn how to use the
clutch despite themselves. A hint from "AP" Here's a very simple explanation of how the clutch works: There are plates that slip against each other until the clutch is fully released. Your goal in using the clutch is to let the lever out slow and not let the RPM drop too much. Very slowly add throttle as you let the clutch out. When I first learned
to ride with a clutch nobody told me to add throttle and I was getting a little
bored from riding dirt bikes (or stalling dirt bikes). The first
thing to do if you are riding your first bike and it has a clutch is to not be
afraid of the bike. If you are afraid that you will flip over you
will do something stupid and flip over. Once a new rider learns the
bike will only go as fast as you let it they won't be as afraid. Additional information
I know a lot of people who never use the clutch when shifting up or down.
The only time you HAVE to use the clutch is when you're cornering or pulling
up a steep hill. Basically the reason you use the clutch when shifting
is to keep the gears from wearing out, but from what I read on the newsgroups
the clutch is more likely to wear out than the gears on a dirt bike, so you want to save wear
and tear on it. There have been some interesting discussions along these
lines on the forums on dirtrider.net.
I tend to use the clutch for shifting when I have time, but if I hit something
unexpected or I'm half way up a hill and need more power, I just kick it down
and don't worry about the clutch. Sometimes it's just more important to
hold on than to pull the clutch.
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