125-200cc WR125 Clutch, No Clutch

+1

I'm a trailrider, and I'll hit a dual sport ride once or twice a year. I'm out there for the fun,...the exercise,...to enjoy my machine,...and relive my youth. No one's ever going to give me a trophy or any HuskyBucks for that.
So there's really no benefit to my doing anything even remotely questionable as far as 'mechanical sympathy' is concerned just for the sake of emulating a top tier pro racer. Just my take on it,...of course.

i hAvE and AuTo ClUtCh.

the trannies in our bikes are not sincronized. it will not hurt a thing not to use the clutch.

Point taken Kel. And I do know what you mean about matching the engine/trans speed and finding that sweet spot where there's absolutely no resistance. I've hit my shifter by accident and had it shift flawlessly without the clutch many times. But for me, batting that shifter around without touching the clutch lever on purpose would have to be a conscious, deliberate act that I'd have to condition myself to do,....not just second nature like for some.

I've tapped the shifter down into second without clutching on a hill climb on occasion when I found myself running out of steam in third,
and didn't like the shock it delivered to the drive train.

But hey, to each his/her own. Do what you want.

Just kiddin' ya Chick!

Love,
Rusty

Despite all the "compelling" testimony, I'm still too damn hard-headed to not use the clutch... and I'm comfortable not caring about the opinion of anyone else. If James "Bubba" Stewart came on this site and told me I'm crazy... I'd tell him to shut up until he was 48 years old.

As an old fat guy who was riding HARD in the 70's... I've earned that right.

Wow, I'm going to have to call Shane and make sure his ears haven't burnt off the sides of his head. The only time he suggested not using the clutch was during shifting. He was a big opponent of feathering/sliping the clutch and keeping the gas on specially during cornering. It was all about being smooth with the gas and clutch. We were encouraged to keep one fingure on the clutch and front brake at all times. In a nut shell, everything Shane said made perfectly good since to me.

WR Bob

Yeah that's right Bob,....keep fanning those flames........

Ahhhh you're a good sport WoodsChick. You know I'd never take a shot at you if I didn't know you were first class and would give it right back to me!

Ain't it great to be "old fart" enough to be able to jerk each other around a bit without having it turn into a juvenile pissing match like on some of the other boards?

Did I disagree with you?
No.
Re-read my post(s). See if any of it makes sense.
If not?...oh well.

And, most girls are bigger and stronger than me so...moot point there.

Again- my point is, and I'll simplify it, is the few times I don't use the clutch on a ride (whether or not I need it and compared to how much I need/use the clutch- esp. on a WR125) = incalculable energy savings.

Re-point: If I'm exhausted to the point of having to not use the clutch to save energy (at the point of "every little bit helps") then I'm already waaay to deep into the Red Zone, I need to slow WAY down, conserve all motion and recover or risk a bad crash.

Re-re-point: If squeezing a clutch lever makes me tired (uses too much energy) then I seriously need to get in shape. (It's easier to use than the throttle).

Squeezing the clutch lever on a modern bike is a one finger affair on most. I am in no great shape but I can stand there by my bike and work the lever off and on for a pretty long time and the VERY most that will happen is my hand/forearm will pump up a little.
I could do it in 100* heat and I would still not break a sweat and I would not be tired. Pulling the lever uses ZERO energy, on a WR125.

Do you need to use it all the time? (again) Of course not.

But- it takes 50 times more "energy" to put on your boots, or start a bike, than to pull a clutch lever 50 times on a WR125.

But, whatever works for you.
If it "saves you energy" to not use the clutch at times?
Hey, that's great.
It's a super-fine micro point that is splitting split hair's and it's the last place I'd suggest someone to start looking to save energy.

Students would be better served being taught to use to clutch to save energy.

I cover the clutch and use it all the time to shift as well..I guess it is a bad habit I picked up from street riding years back.

I raced a 125 last year and the was ALWAYS on the clutch. In fact in tight stuff I hold the throttle on and drive with the clutch.

I ate a new clutch basket in 6 races.

When racing you need to use all the controls at the same time quickly and without having to think about it. Somewhat like playing a musical instrument. If you can take out one little less thing to do, I think it helps at a high level in time/concentration/energy.

Is trainning at the gym a better way... for sure! but you can do both.

Okay, I'm convinced now.


For Sale: One Husqvarna OEM clutch lever.
Fits 1998-2010 WR250/300/360.
Used quite a bit, but in mint condition.
Make offer.