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Improper clutch/shifting? Advice please!

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1.7K views 10 replies 10 participants last post by  Shooter  
#1 ·
Just bought a gently used Ducati M750 . . . first bike I've ever owned!  I've put several hours into parking lot and neighborhood driving but I have a question I was hoping you could help with.  When I pull the clutch lever in all the way and drop into first, or from first to second (and probably all the rest . . . if I ever go that fast), it responds as expected but seems to clunk into gear.  A little clunkier than I expected, I guess.  BTW, it has a wet clutch. 

The little 250 I used at the MSF course a couple of years ago may have done the same, but I don't really recall.  I guess I was expecting a smoother/quieter/less clunky shift.  BTW, I fully expect that my noob-ness is the cause  Should I be shifting at some point before I have the lever as close to the grip as possible?  I'll experiment tomorrow, just seeking some ideas.  Thanks in advance -
 
#4 ·
You're OK. Ducs do clonk a bit, especially compared to that little 250 Nighthawk from your class. When I ride my fiancee's 250 Nighthawk, I find it hard to tell if I've shifted. No clonk.

philb
 
#10 ·
Unsung said:
My missed shifts disappeared after switching to GP style shifting.  Do a search on it.  Good stuff.
+1 to GP shifting.

Of course my missed shifts came back recently when I "relocated" my shift lever a few inches inward... dammit.
 
#11 ·
Tips:

Match your revs a bit as you change - 'the art of blipping'

Make sure you do not change gear too slowly ( be positive and firm with the shifter).


I would not call my change a "clonk" - more like a "snick". (Dry clutch S4) A clonk sound would actually worry me lots !