How to Shift Without the Clutch

Last month, I shared a video on how to blip your downshifts for smoother corner entries. But the biggest question I got in the comments was: “Dave, how do you upshift without the clutch?” Challenge accepted.

You don’t need a fancy quickshifter or electronics to shift like a pro. In fact, I’m about to show you a technique that’s so smooth and reliable that even when I’m riding bikes equipped with top-of-the-line quickshifters, I still use my own method. Because it just works… better.

Why Clutchless Upshifts?

First off, it’s fun. A lot of fun. And isn’t that why we ride motorcycles in the first place?

But there’s more to it. Clutchless upshifting, when done correctly, is both faster and smoother. Smoother means less chance of unsettling the chassis, which is always a good thing. Racing is our lab, and this technique was perfected there for a reason: it works.

When I added a quickshifter to my SV650 race bike, I dropped lap times immediately. It wasn’t just about speed, it freed up my brain to focus on everything else going on at 10/10ths. Quickshifters work by sensing pressure on the shift lever and momentarily cutting fuel or spark to unload the gearbox.

But they have limitations. They work best at or near full throttle and high RPMs. Try one gently and it shifts about as gracefully as a drunk walrus on a treadmill.

That’s where old-school technique comes in. Because your brain is still smarter than your ECU. So what if you could shift faster and smoother without any electronics? No sensors, no programming. Just you, your bike, and a bit of finesse.

The Two Methods

There are two ways to clutchless upshift:

1. Full Clutchless Upshift

This is the purest form. First, anticipate the upshift. Preload the shift lever by placing your toe in position and applying moderate upward pressure. As soon as you roll off the throttle, the gearbox unloads and the shift clicks in. That roll-off needs to be quick and sharp, like a blip, just in reverse.

2. The Mini-Clutch Method

This is what I personally use. Keep two fingers on the clutch. Preload the shift lever as before, then roll off the throttle and squeeze the clutch, just a smidge. Think an eighth to a quarter pull. Less than you’d use for a downshift blip. It’s just enough to unload the gearbox.

It’s every bit as fast, often smoother, and it works in lower speed or casual riding situations too.

Will This Hurt My Bike?

Depends. Race bikes get rebuilt often and rarely see more than 10,000 miles. Some say clutchless upshifts are fine, others warn against it. Both have valid points.

If you do it wrong, yeah, you can wreck your transmission. But done right? Minimal wear. Some bikes handle this better than others. Make good choices.

For me? I almost always use the mini-clutch method. It’s smoother, reliable, and adapts well to different bikes and conditions.

Final Thoughts

This technique takes practice. Years ago, I rode two-up with a professional racer. Insane speeds, heavy braking, deep lean angles, but I never felt him shift gears. That experience lit a fire under me. I spent a year refining my shifting, and the difference was massive.

So, if you’re looking to level up your riding, clutchless upshifts are a worthy goal. Just respect the process, take your time, and learn to feel what the bike is telling you.