Changing to Neutral at a Stop Light?

[Huzo]

You are applying the pressure to compress the springs against the pockets in the flywheel. Flywheel presses on the crankshaft. Crankshaft absorbs the thrust.

Ahh yes.
By disengaging, you are (correctly) saying that the lever is in…
Thanks.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I had the clutch cable snap while waiting at a red light on my Cagiva Tamanaco. I nearly dropped the bike from the shock of it, but the bike just stalled and I pushed it through the intersection and off to the side once the light changed.

My experience riding with Italians is that they don't stop and wait at stop lights anyway. They stop, look both ways, and continue through lol

I keep any bike, even dry clutch Ducatis, in gear at a light unless I expect it to be a long stop (construction, train) or once I see the vehicle behind me has stopped and provided some assurance I won't be run over from behind.

[Air-Cooled]

As one person already pointed out, it can sometimes be challenging to find neutral when the engine is running (on my 2016 V7 II it is).  Engine off no problem. Do I want to fiddle around endlessly at a stop light looking for neutral? No. Do I want to shut the bike off at a stop light? No. So if it doesn't flip into neutral after one or two tries, I just leave the clutch pulled in. Not a problem.

[Huzo]

As one person already pointed out, it can sometimes be challenging to find neutral when the engine is running (on my 2016 V7 II it is).  Engine off no problem. Do I want to fiddle around endlessly at a stop light looking for neutral? No. Do I want to shut the bike off at a stop light? No. So if it doesn't flip into neutral after one or two tries, I just leave the clutch pulled in. Not a problem.

Why not grab neutral while still in motion ? (5 mph or so…)
I used to do that with my Darmah.

[LowRyter]

really?

neutral saves the clutch,  being in gear gives a quick out in case there's someone running over you. 

Perhaps neutral and your eyes in the mirrors and a lane to proceed?

 

[n3303j]

Neutral doesn't save the clutch,  just the throw out bearings (and a bit of your wrist).

[mondtster]

No one has mentioned that disengaging the clutch places the thrust bearing at the front of the crankshaft under load. Wonder how long that bearing lasts?

Having owned several vehicles with engines that have had weak thrust bearings, this is the #1 reason why I always put my manual transmission cars and motorcycles in neutral while waiting at a stop light.

[Kev m]

As one person already pointed out, it can sometimes be challenging to find neutral when the engine is running (on my 2016 V7 II it is).  Engine off no problem. Do I want to fiddle around endlessly at a stop light looking for neutral? No. Do I want to shut the bike off at a stop light? No. So if it doesn't flip into neutral after one or two tries, I just leave the clutch pulled in. Not a problem.

Why not fix the actual problem - i.e. adjust the clutch so you can find Neutral.

I mean that's been my solution on plenty of smallblocks I've ridden, even demo bikes from two different dealers.

The factory spec is just a little too loose and if there's any sign of it not quite fully releasing when the lever hits the grip it can be, as you say, challenging (mostly when hot, but if really out cold too).

[Bulldog9]

Enter the Hendon Shuffle

Hendon is where the police motorcyclists are trained in the UK and I believe that this is still current

Essentially when stopped you have the bike out of gear and held stationary with the foot brake and left foot on the ground

To pull away you hold the bike with the hard brake, switch feet (hence the shuffle) to engage the gear and pull away

https://longrider.co.uk/blog/2012/08/25/starting-stopping-and-thoughts-on-the-hendon-shuffle/

That's what I do, didn't know it had a 'name'

[Moparnut72]

Enter the Hendon Shuffle

Hendon is where the police motorcyclists are trained in the UK and I believe that this is still current

Essentially when stopped you have the bike out of gear and held stationary with the foot brake and left foot on the ground

To pull away you hold the bike with the hard brake, switch feet (hence the shuffle) to engage the gear and pull away

https://longrider.co.uk/blog/2012/08/25/starting-stopping-and-thoughts-on-the-hendon-shuffle/

I didn't know there was a name for what I do most of the time. If I am only going to be at the light for a few seconds I leave it in gear. All depends on what is or is not behind me.
kk

[Frenchfrog]

Neutral doesn't save the clutch,  just the throw out bearings (and a bit of your wrist).

No, that's not entirely correct.
The plates themselves might not get any extra wear but the splines in the flywheel and clutch hub will be getting banged around far more than if in neutral.Given the pita to change these parts and the expense....

[n3303j]

Neutral (with clutch released) saves the splines in the flywheel. I still hear the transmission input splines and the gears in the box racking back and forth against the power pulses.

[Huzo]

If I ever have to put a clutch in my Norge, I’ll give it a new shaft as well.

[John A]

On a small block I go to neutral because the crankshaft thrust bearing on the rear of the crankshaft is feeble. On a big block it is not a problem. The throw out bearings on the rear of the transmission have been trouble free in my experience.

[Griso8V]

I put it in neutral at a light when everyone is stopped behind me.  I never had an issue putting in gear on any of my bikes even getting caught in neutral even when I get caught when the light changes.  All my bikes (V50, V11, Griso8v & V7 850) went into neutral no problem.  I only put it in neutral when there is no threat and if i have any fear that I may need to blast off out of the way then I leave it in gear...Or if I am on a hill like in San Francisco then 1st gear it is...
Tony C

[wirespokes]

Why not fix the actual problem - i.e. adjust the clutch so you can find Neutral.

That might be the problem, though in my case it's a high idle, that won't come down any lower. When the engine is cold, it idles slower and getting into neutral isn't a problem.

Also, I've never had a problem getting into first from neutral. A fast get-away? No problem. Clutch in, snick into first, blip throttle, GO!

Since I wrote this posting, I rode the bike again today and realized the difficulty shifting into neutral from first or second has nothing to do with the idle or the clutch. With engine off it's still difficult finding neutral.